Two hundred years after the fall of Jericho and after the death of Joshua, the Israelites began to lose its hold on the land. Canaanite rulers held the Israelites oppressed for twenty years. Sisera was the chief warrior among the Canaanites and his force of 900 iron plated chariots terrified the people and kept them in line for many years. Sisera was so assured that no one could challenge him and he felt even more smugly secure as Israel had a new leader: a woman. Deborah was an extraordinary woman. A wife, a mother and a leader of the Israelites. Judges in Israel were unelected and uninherited. They were chosen by God to serve as military leaders when the people needed to be rescued from their enemies and establish justice. Deborah was the only woman to serve as judge.
Deborah was a prophetess who held court under a palm tree. She refused to lose heart as Israel became more and more divided and dispirited. The people had sunk deeper into idolatry and forgot God’s promises and the faith of their ancestors. Her vision of the world was not shaped by the political situation but her relationship with God. Even though it was uncommon for a woman to be a leader in the ancient world, Deborah was the leader Israel needed. She heard God and believed in Him. By her example, courage began to arise in the people which enabled them to throw off their oppressors. Sisera thought he was invincible but he failed to take into account Deborah’s strong faith. Deborah summoned Barak, a Jew from the North, and told him that God would deliver Sisera’s army into his hands. But Barak was terrified and only agreed to go if Deborah also went into battle. She tells him the honor of defeating Sisera would not be his but hers. When Sisera heard of the plan to defeat his army, he felt so confident that he went ahead to the Kishon River. Unfortunately, his chariots became stuck and became easy targets for Barak’s troops. After the battle, there would be peace in Israel for 40 years (Judges 5:31).
Deborah’s story speaks volumes for us today. Deborah is an example of strong leadership. She was not power hungry. She only wanted to serve God and when praise came her way, she gave credit to God. She is a person who demonstrated what can be done when God is in control. First, we need to be available to God and others. Deborah was known as a mediator, advisor and counselor (Judges 4:5). She led Israel peacefully for 40 years. Second, how to be a wise leader. Wise leaders are rare. Leaders who know how to work with and through others. They are good mediators, advisors, planners and delegators. When God revealed his plans for Sisera’s defeat, Deborah didn’t try to do it all herself. She called Barak to help. And when Barak’s faith was shaken at the prospect of facing Sisera, he asked Deborah to be at his side (Judges 4:8). She was the type of person who understood the spiritual needs of the people she led. While she believed that God would lead them to victory, her presence helped build the confidence of the troops. She understood the needs of the people and not just worried about success. She didn’t downplay Barak’s role in the victory, despite his reluctance to go into battle without her (Judges 5:12).
Imagery is important in Deborah’s story. The palm trees are often heralds of peace and hope. Deborah meeting with people under the palm tree. The palm branch is a symbol of victory, triumph, peace and eternal life. Jesus’s entrance into Jerusalem before his crucifixion and death (Matthew 21:8, Mark 11:8, John 12:13) is another example of the palm inclusion bringing a deeper meaning. Deborah’s name means “bee” (Devorah or D’vorah in Hebrew). The imagery of the bee is interesting as the Midrash, a collection of teachings on the Torah, explain that the Hebrew people were like bees (Nelson, 2019). First, bees follow their leader in a swarm. The Jewish people would follow prophets to teach them. Judges 4:5 says Deborah held court where the Israelites came to her to settle their disputes. Second, the bee demonstrates the consequences of not following God’s commands, as a bee sting is quite painful. But as the bee’s honey is sweet, those who follow His commands will be blessed with a sweet life. Third, bees are a lowly insect and serve as a reminder to be humble. Colossians 3:12 says “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
In conclusion, judges in Israel were unelected and uninherited, chosen by God to serve as military leaders when the people needed to be rescued from their enemies and establish justice. Deborah was a humble leader who used wisdom and God’s guidance to usher in forty years of peace. At a time when the Israelites desperately needed a strong leader, God gave them Deborah. With her faith, she was able to be an example of strength and confidence in God. At a time when women leaders were uncommon, Deborah was an example to all who sought her. Through Deborah’s example, we can be wide leaders who seek God’s guidance. We can be leaders in our homes, our families, our workplaces, and our schools. Men, women, boys, girls, young and old, we all can be wise leaders for God.
The Rolling Stones is among rock n roll royalty. They have
been performing since 1962 with Mick Jagger and Keith Richards at the helm.
While they are not my favorite rock n roll band, I do have a few favorites. One
of my favorites is “Paint it Black” from their 1966 album, Aftermath.
The song was released on May 7, 1966 and quickly became one of their popular
songs. It was number 1 on Billboard Hot 100 and UK Singles Chart. It would The
Rolling Stones third #1 hit in the US and the sixth in the UK. “Paint it Black”
is listed as #176 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. It has
been covered numerous times by artists like U2, Dee Snider of Twisted Sister
and Glenn Tipton of Judas Priest.
The lyrics meant to describe depression with color-based
metaphors. The opening lines are clear, “I see a red door and I want it painted
black/No colors anymore, I want them to turn black.” Color is the main imagery
in this song. Black, of course, is the color of depression and darkness. The
narrator wants the world to be as dark as he feels. “I wanna see it painted,
painted black/Black as night, black as coal/I wanna see the sun, blotted out
from the sky/I wanna see it painted, painted, painted, painted black.” The
narrator talks about seeing girls in summer clothes and needed to look away.
“Summer clothes” paints an image of bright yellows and other colors that might
“blind” a man darkened by grief. Almost like walking outside after leaving a
darkened room, it pains him to look at it. Another line “No more will my green
sea go turn a deeper blue” gives no real indication what the narrator means.
Possibly its how he describes her eyes and his green eyes will no longer see
her deep blue ones.
The lyrics describe a fictional girl’s funeral with “a line
of cars” with “with flowers and my love, both never to come back” and the
extreme grief suffered by the narrator. The line, “I could not foresee this
thing happening to you,” shows the unexpectedness of this young girl’s death.
The narrator, so deep in his depression, has lost all hope, “I look inside
myself and see my heart is black.” The line, “I turn my head until my darkness
goes” claimed to be inspired by James Joyce’s Ulysses (1922) referring
to a theme of desperation and desolation (Visconti, 2014). The narrator talks
about fading away so “not have to face the facts” that his love is gone and describes
the difficulty in accepting her death, “It's not easy facing up, when your
whole world is black.” In the traditional grief cycle, after the initial shock
or disbelief, people generally go through five general stages: denial, anger
and bargaining, depression, and acceptance. The narrator talks about looking “hard
enough into the setting sun” that maybe his love “will laugh with me before the
morning comes” as he may join her in heaven.
The song describes the everyday occurrence of death and the
indifference to those outside the funeral procession. “I see people turn their
heads and quickly look away/Like a new born baby, it just happens every day.”
To everyone else, it just another death, like birth happens every day, so does
death, but the narrator is devastated by his loss. That line always gets me plays
in my head if I happened to be stopped by a funeral procession. I remind myself
that loved ones are grieving, and I often say a prayer for the family and
friends. A prayer of comfort and peace in their loss. Even acknowledging that
death happens everyday and will affect us all at multiple times in our lives,
it is still difficult to deal with. In his book, The Time Keeper, Mitch
Albom writes, “Man alone measures time. Man alone chimes the hour. And, because
of this, man alone suffers a paralyzing fear that no other creature endures. A
fear of time running out.” Despite acknowledge that death comes to us all,
despite planning for its inevitability, there is never enough time with our loved
ones. We always want, and wish for, more time.
In conclusion, “Paint it Black” is a song of grief and
depression. A man has lost his love and he does not want to see a world filled
with color when his heart and mood is dark. With the use of colors, The Rolling
Stones paints imagery of pain, depression, and loss. Grief is often a lonely
process as one looks on as life goes on and he or she has no desire to continue
with it. Death is always around us in many forms. While we know this, some
embrace it and others do all they can to avoid it, it is still a time of grief
for those left behind. “Paint it Black” depicts that pain very well. For that
reason, it is one of my favorite Rolling Stones song.
References
Visconti, Tony (2014). 1,001 Songs You Must Hear Before You
Die (4th ed.). New York, NY: Universe Publishing. p. 175 ISBN 9780789320896.
This past weekend, my husband and I took our daughter to see
the new movie, Coco. Knowing only the
basics about the film and not reading any reviews about it, I went into the
film with high expectations, it is Disney Pixar after all. What I didn’t expect
was to be blown away. Normally, for a review, I discuss what I liked, what I
didn’t like and what the critics had to say. But for this film, I liked
everything. There was nothing I didn’t like and I don’t care what the critics
had to say. So I will discuss the different aspects of the film that I loved.
First, the story itself. Based on the Mexican festival of
Dia de la Muertos, it is a story about family, remembering those who has
passed, and forgiveness. The movie begins with 12 year old Miguel (voiced by
Anthony Gonzalez) telling the story of his Mama Imelda Rivera (played by Alanna
Ubach), the family matriarch. She was the wife of musician who left her and
their daughter to pursue his career and never returned. Angry, she banned all
forms of music in the family. Miguel desires desperately to be a musician, he
steals the guitar from the tomb of the village’s superstar, Ernesto de la Cruz
(voiced by Benjamin Bratt). When he does so, he has placed a curse on the
family and he is transported to the Land of the Dead. He must now find a way to
lift the curse so he can return home. He is helped along the way by Hector
(voiced by Gael Garcia Bernal) who is desperate to get to the Land of the
Living before the end of Dia de la Muertos. The story has everything: laughs,
tender moments and very sad moments. I cried at the end. So be warned, there will
be tears!
Second, the music. The movie is filled with wonderful music.
It features the wide range of Mexican music. From mariachi to salsa and bolero.
From flamenco to pop and Mexican son (folk music and dance). The music was
heartfelt and entertaining. After the film, I immediately went out and bought
the soundtrack. The main song is “Remember Me” which helps carry the theme of
the film. However, my favorite songs were “Un Poco Loco” (written by Germaine
Franco and Adrian Molina and performed by Anthony Gonzalez and Gael Garcia
Bernal) and La Llorona (a traditional folk song performed by Alanna Ubach). “Un
Poco Loco” is a fun and upbeat song about how the singer’s love drives him a
little crazy. “La Llorona” is a soulful and beautiful song about a weeping
woman and love. The instrumental pieces are beautiful too. I love music in film
especially when it is used probably to enhance the mood and the events of the
particular scenes. The music in Coco
did that and more. It carried so much emotional that you were crying just by
the strumming of the guitar.
Third, the imagery of the film is absolutely breathtaking.
The colors of the Land of the Dead are stunning. Marigold flowers, known as
cempasúchil, are central to the festival and they are everywhere in this film.
Marigolds are among my favorite flowers and the animators captured the flower’s
brilliant orange color and the delicacy of its petals. Brilliant colors bring
the Land of the Dead to life and are very vibrant and reminiscent of the colors
have seen in Mexican art. The details in the animations bring you into a world
and you sit in wonder at it all. The amazing talent and hard work it took to
bring this story to life shows in every detail. I also loved the image of the
Mexican family portrayed in this film. With my experiences with Mexican
families, I laughed at the antics of Abuelita, Miguel’s grandmother as she
enforces the no music rule in the family. There’s a scene where she offers
Miguel foods and he politely denies, the look she gives him reminds me of many
Mexican grandmothers I’ve known and love.
In conclusion, Coco
is the best Disney Pixar film so far. It is definitely among my favorite films.
It has everything. A great story, great music and great imagery which comes
together and transports you into another world and leave you with a great
lesson about love, family and forgiveness. I highly, highly recommend seeing Coco in theaters. You will not regret
it!
