The Tulsa star. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1913-1921, 1915-01-09
INTERNATIONAL.
SUNDGS0IOOL
LESSON
tBy r. o. SELLERS. Acting Director Of
Sunday School Course.)
LESSON FOR JANUARY 10
DEBORAH AND BARAk DELIVER
ISRAEL.
LESSON TExT-Judges 4:4-ie.

out of all their troubles.-Ps. A:17 II. V.
There are two inspired accounts of
this victory, one in prose (ch. 4) 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 II seems
to have Deen that the northern tribes
of Naphtali, Asher and Zebulun, the
Galilee of Christs day, were chiefly
concerned.
Mother In Israel.
!. Deborah's Call to Service, w. 40.
AS the people forsook God he forsooh
them, and they became easy prey. II
we withdraw rom his service we also
withdraw from his protection. AL
though Joshua had burned HaZoi
(Joshua 11:1-1D, yet because of Is
rae's backsliding it is now strong
enough to become the ruler. 1t is SO
with sin-allow 1t to exist and It will
conquer. When, however, Israel re.
pented and cried unto God ". 81 he
raised up a deliverer and in this case
1t was mother in Israeli (ch. 5:O.
Tho 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. 1878; Deut. 17:S-12).
Judgment Of sin always precedes any
manifestation of grace Il Cor. 11:31i
al). Deborah, the Judge. recognized
The gravity of the situation, for she
was not only a Judge, but prophecies
by divine appointment OI Pet. 1:2D.
When she called Barak at once recog.
nized her note of authority ". g..
Deborah gave Barak explicit instruc-
ton and direction. In this chapter
only the two tribes most interested
are mentioned (5:17, 1S).
Bold, Sagacious Leader.
a.. Barak's Conquest Of Sisera, w.
1916. Barak was a bold, sagacious
leader and chose one of the worlds
best and most famous battlefelds. 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 1t 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 1:16) had revealed the
place of Barak's camp ". ~. 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 q 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
aIr AC
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 themT
Deborah had enthusiasm and zeal, but
needed Barak's action. She depended
upon the -ure word of God and was
devoid OF fear (Rem. S:31). She knew
that victory was certain, for God had
said so ". y. Her charge, "Up,
Barak!" was a clarion call md served
to nerve the entire army of Israel
Verse Is tells us who II was that won
the battle that day (see also $50. 81;
Josh. 1910; Chron. 15:15-1D. Even
the stars fought against Sisera, mean
Ing that God turned the elements to the
advantage Of Israels army. Showers
of meteors have been recorded in this
land In recent times and 5:2i tells OF
the floods of water that swept away
overthrew, the chariots OF Sisera The
word discounted" we are told
scarcely .uggests the sudden terror
and confusion which fell upon Sisera's
army. Like all of Gods victories, II