The review. [volume] (High Point, N.C.) 1908-19??, 1915-01-07
INTERNATIONAL,
SUNlNSC[lOOL
LESSON
(By e. o. SELLERS, Acting Director Of
Sunday School Course.) -
LESSON FOR JANUARY 10
DEBORAH AND BARAk DELIVER
ISRAEL.


LESSON I EXT-Judges 4:4-16.
GOLDEN TEXT-The righteous cried,
| and Jehovah heard and delivered them
outsof all their troubles.-Ps. 34:17 r. v.
There are two inspired accounts of
this victors, one in prose (ch. ~ and
one in poetry Judges 81. They pre-:
sent different views of the same
event. Israel had been oppressed for
20 years under Jabin and Sisera, his
chief captain (4:2) though it seems
to have been that the northern tribes
of NaphtaI, Asher and Zebulun, the
Galilee of Christ's day, were chiefly
concerned =,
Mother in Israel.
|. Deborah's Call to Service, w. 40.
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 11:1-1D, yet because of Is
raeIs backsliding it is now strong
enough to become the ruler. 1t is SO
with sin-allow it to exist and it will
conquer. When, however, Israel re-
pented and cried unto God ". - he
raised up a deliverer and in this case
it was a mother in Israeli (ch. SID.
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 palm tree she gave forth
her wisdom and judgment to the peo-
pie who brought their difficulties be-
fore her eek. 1878; Deut. 17:8-12).
Judgment of sin always precedes any
manifestation of grace q Cor. 1881.
.32). Deborah, the judge, recognized
the gravity of the situation, for she
was not only a judge, but a prophecies
by divine appointment (II Pet. 1:2D.
When she called Barak at once recog-
nized her note of authority ". 81.
Deborah gave Barak explicit instruc-
ton and direction. In this chapter
only the two tribes most interested
are mentioned OH, lS).
Bold, Sagacious Leader.
II. Barak's Conquest Of sisera, w.
1916. Barak was a bold, sagacious
leader and chose one of the worlds
best and most famous battlefields, Es-
draelon. Barak led his men to Mt.
Tabor, from which could be seen the
whole region where Sisera's armies
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, 10. From
the slopes of Mt. Tabor, Deborah and
Barak saw Sisera and his iron char
lots advancing across the plain. One
of the descendants Of Hobab, Moses
brother-in-law (Num. 24:22 r. v. M,
and Judges 1870 had revealed the
place of Barak's camp ". 1D. 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 place Of
greater safety. Deborah, however,
urged Barak to attempt the battle,
"for 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 II, together
with S.171o II mould lob oc fbo,1oh
Sisera seemed to have the advantage
against Barak and his ten thousand
men. Sisera did not, however, count
upon Barak's powerful ally-God. els
not Jehovah gone out before them?"
Deborah had enthusiasm and zeal, but
needed Barak's action. She depended
upon the Gure word of God and was
devoid Of fear (Rom. 8:31). She knew
that victory was certain, for God had
said SO ". y. Her charge, Cup,
Barak!" was clarion call nd served
to nerve the entire army of Israel.
Verse Is tells us who it was that won
the battle that day (see also 500, Fl;
Josh. 1910; Chron. Is: 15-17). Even
the stars fought against Sisera, mean
ing that God turned the elements to the
of Israel's 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 chariots of Sisera. The
word discounted" we are told,
scarcely suggests the sudden terror
and confusion which fell upon Sisera's
army. Like all Of Gods victories, it