The Brinkley argus., 1915-01-08

LESSON TEXT-Judges 4:4-16
 GOLDEN TEXT-The righteous cried, and Jehovah heard and delivered them out of all their troubles.-Ps. A:17 R. V.
 There are two inspired accounts of this victory, one in prose (ch. 4) and one In poetry Judges 5. They pre- sent different views of the same event. Israel had been oppressed for 20 years under Jabin and Sisera, his chief captain (42) though it seems to have been that the northern tribes of Naphtali, Asher and Zebulun, the Galilee of Christ's day, were chiefly concerned.
 Mother in Israel.
 l. Deborah's Call to Service, w. Az. As the people forsook God he forsook them, and they became easy prey. If we withdraw from his service we also withdraw from his protection. Al though Joshua had burned Hazor (Joshua 11:1-11), yet because of 1s- rael's backsliding it is now strong enough to become the ruler. It is so with sin-allow it to exist sand it will conquer. When, however, Israel re- pented and cried unto God4(v. 3 he raised up deliverer and in5this case it was mother in Israel" @ch. SD. The word Deborah means 'bee," and it is suggested that she answered her name by her industry, sagacity and usefulness to the public, her sweetness to her friends and sharp ness to her enemies" (Matthew Hen ry). Her husbands name is given, but none of his achievements. From her dwelling place at Jebus, as she sat beneath a palm tree she gave forth her wisdom and judgment to the peo- pie who brought their difficulties be- fore her (Ex. 1913; Deut. f7:S1D. Judgment of sin always precedes any manifestation of grace q Cor. 1l:3l, 32). Deborah, the judge, recognized the gravity of the situation, for she was not only judge, but prophecies by divine appointment (I Pet. 1:01). When she called Barak at once re- cog nized her note of authority (v. 6). Deborah gave Barak explicit instr uc- tion and direction. In this chapi er only the two tribes most interest sd are mentioned (5:17, 18).
 Bold, Sagacious Leader.
 II. Barak's Conquest of Sisera, w. 1o-16. Barak was a bold sagacious leader and chose one of the worlds best and most famous battlefields, Els draelon Barak led his men to Mt. Tabor. from which could be seen the hO1 who Cicara'c arnjnC were spread out upon the plain. From chapter , it appears that some came to the battle from the tribes of Manasseh and Issachar (5-14, 15) and that others were expected who failed to obey the summons (5:15, ID. From the slopes of Mt. Tabor Deborah and Barak saw Sisera and his iron char iots advancing across the plain One of the descendants of Hobab, Moses brother-in-law (Num. 24:22 R. V. m., and Judges 1:16) had revealed the place of Baraks camp (v. ID. Heber should have been in the land of Judah and Simeon and not in such close proximity to the enemies of Israel. Josephus says that when Barak saw Sisera's army drawn up, and attempt ing to surround the mountain of his encampment his heart failed him, and he determined to retire to a place of greater safety. Deborah, however, Erged Barak to attempt the battle, flor this is the day in which the Lord hath delivered Sisera into thine hand The thing was as sure to be done as if it were done already. As we read verses ii and 12, together with 5:17-19, it would look as though Sisera seemed to have the advantage against Barak and his ten thousand men. SEsera did not, however, count upon Baraks powerful ally-God. 'Is not Jehovah gone out before them?' Deborah had enthusiasm and zeal, but needed Barak's action. She depended upon the cure word of God and was devoid of fear (Rom. 8:3D. She knew that victory was certain, for God had said so (v. ?. Her charge, Up, Barak," was a clarion call md served to nerve the entire army of Israel. Verse 15 tells us who 1t was that won the battle that day (see also 5:20, Fl; Josh. 10:10; T Chron. 15:15-1O. Even the stars fought against Sisera, mean ing that God turned the elements to the advantage of IsraeHs army. Showers of meteors have been recorded in this land in recent times; and 5:21 tells of the floods of water that swept away" overthrow, the chari ots of Sisera. The word discomfted,' we are told, scarcely auggests the sudden terror and confusion which fell upon Sisera's army. Like all of Gods victories, it was most complete.
 A brav1, outraged woman executed a sentence which some male member of her family would certainly have been bound to carry out.
 The curse of Meroz" (5:23) is that bestowed upon tn shfrker, the cow ardly and idle It is the curse of use lessness, the causes of which are cowardice, false humility and indo- lence The work of the Avenger is necessity
 Evil stalks the world on the way to execution; though wrong reigns, it rt,,Ict op1 will .laaJ fhrnuoh ,,0uyar