Omer 2016 Day 24: Sisera's mother

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Day 24: Tiferet in Netzach, Compassion in Victory
Do you remember day 11 when we talked about the story of Yael, the woman who won the war against the Canaanites by driving a spike through Sisera's head? Deborah's song praising Yael ends with a thought about Sisera's mother.

"Through the window peered Sisera's mother,

Behind the lattice she whined:

'Why is his chariot so long in coming?

Why so late the clatter of his wheels?' 

The wisest of her ladies give answer; 

'They must be dividing the spoil they have found: 

A damsel or two for each man, 

Spoil of dyed cloths for Sisera, 

Spoil of embroidered cloths, 

A couple of embroidered cloths 

Round every neck as spoil.'" (Judges 5:28-30) 

Just one verse before this, we were celebrating Sisera's death, but we must immediately remember the cost of war. Deborah's song reminds us to have compassion for our enemies, even in our victories.