The Green Forest tribune., 1915-01-08
INTERNATIONAL, SUNlNSQlOOL
 LESSON (By B. O. SELLERS, Acting Director of
 Sunday School Course)
LESSON FOR JANUARY 10
DEBORAH AND BARAk DELIVER
 ISRAEL.

LESSON TEXT-Judges 4:4-16.
 GOLDEN TEXT-The righteous cried, and Jehovah heard and delivered them out of all their troubles.-Ps 34:17 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 (4:2) 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.
 |. Deborah's Call to Service, w. 4-9. As the people forsook God he iorsook them, and they became easy prey. If we withdraw from his service we also withdraw from his protection. All though Joshua had burned Hazor (Joshua 11:1-1D, yet because of Is- raels backsliding it is now strong enough to become the ruler. It is so with sin-allow it to exist and 1t will conquer. When, however, Israel re- pented and cried unto God (v. 3 he raised up deliverer and in this case 1t was mother in Israeli (ch. 5:D. 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 (Ex. 18:13; Deut. 17:8-12). Judgment of sin always precedes any manifestation of grace q Cor. 11:31, 32). Deborah, the judge, recognized the gravity of the situation, for she was not only a judge, but prophecies by divine appointment QI Pet. 1:2D. When she called Barak at once recog. f., Td her note of authority (v. 6). Deoorah gave Bal ak explicit instruc- tion and direction. In this chapter only the two tribes most interested are mentioned (5:17, 18).
 Bold, Sagacious Leader.
 II. Barak's Conquest of Sisera, W.. f0-16. Barak was 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 5 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 Barak's 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 place of greater safety. Deborah, however, urged Barak to attempt the battle, flor this is the day in which the Lord hot o1; iv,f0 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, 1t would look as though Sisera seemed to have the advantage against Barak and his ten thousand men. Sisera did not, however, count upon Barak's powerful ally-God. .Ts not Jehovah gone out before then :" Deborah had enthusiasm and zeal, but needed Barak's action. She depended upon the -ure word of God and was devoid of fear (Rom. 8:31). She knew that victory was certain, for God had said so (v. D. Her charge, up, Barak!" was clarion call nd served to nerve the entire army of Israel. Verse 15 tells us who it wes that won the battle that day (see also 5:20, 21; Josh. 10:10; T Chron. 15: 5:1s-17). Evaa the stars fought against Sisera, mean Ing that God turned the elements to the advantage 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 discomfited," we are told, scarcely .uggests the sudden terror and confusion which fell upon Sisera's army. Like all of Gods victories, it was most complete.
 A bravo, outraged woman executed 8 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 shirker, 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 a