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THE BATTLE HYMN OF THE REDEEMED (11 OF 42)

by Mike Stone

Scripture: Judges 5:1-31
This content is part of a series.


The Battle Hymn of the Redeemed (11 of 42)
Series: The Coming King: Finding Jesus in Judges
Mike Stone
Judges 5:1-31


Our study of Judges is the story of Israel's rebellion and their longing for a king. Indeed, in those days there was no king in Israel and every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

God in Providence raised up judges to deliver the people. But as great as they were, they were fallen and sinful. And in each case, the inadequacy of the earthly ruler was to remind Israel that their ultimate deliverance would not come from an earthly leader.

In this process, the time of the Judges was to prepare Israel for a king and to awaken their hearts to kneel at His throne. But the King before whom our hearts should bow and our knees should bend was not king David, but King Jesus.

In our study of this book, we come to a lesson in hymnology. For this evening we get to study the composition of one of the most interesting worship songs ever written. (Judges 5:1-31)

Written in 1861 and published in 1862, Julia Ward Howe's "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" became closely linked with this nation's Civil War. The writer was an abolitionist who worked for the end of slavery in the United States.

Her tune was borrowed but her lyrics were new as she connected the challenges of this world to the timeless and eternal march toward the righteous judgment of God. Her words were often borrowed by civil rights leaders, including Martin Luther King, Jr. who quoted from this hymn on the night before his death. In fact, his last public words were the first line of the song"

"Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord."

The song goes on to say He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored; He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword: His truth is marching on.

Many today recoil at the thought of using the hymn in Christian worship. Some because they see it as too patriotic. They hear in i ...

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