The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1915-01-01


There are two inspired accounts Of
this victory, 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 1T 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.
I. Deborah's Call to Service, w. 40.
AS the people fOrsook God he forsook
them, and they became easy prey. II
we withdraw from his service we also
withdraw from his protection. AL
though Joshua had burned Hazor
(Joshua HELD, yet because of Is
raels backsliding 1t is now strong
enough to become the ruler 1t is so
with shallow it 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
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" (MattheT Hem
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 lex. 1913; Deut 17:8-12).
Judgment of sin always precedes any
manifestation of grace Il Cor. 1881,
32). Deborah. the judge, recognized
the gravity of the situation, for she
was not only a Judge, but prophecies
by divine appointment III Pet. LID.
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.
II. 5arak's Conquest of Sisera, w.
1915. 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 Siseras 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 1;16) had revealed the
place of Barak's camp ". ~, Heber
should have been in the land of Judah
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,
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 -, together
with 5:17-19, it 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. rs |
not Jehovah gone out before them?'
had enthusiasm and zeal, but |
needed Barak's action. She depended !
upon the rure word of God and was |
devoid of fear (Rom. S:3D. She knew
that victory was certain, for God had
said so ". y. Her charge, up,
was a clarion call, nd served
10 nerve the entire army of Israel. |
Verse Is tells us who it was that won
The battle that day (see also 500 81;
Josh. 10: 10; Chron. Is: 15-1O. Even
the stars fought against Sisera, mean
ng that Cod turned the elements to the
advantage of Israels army. Showers
If meteors have been recorded in this
and in recent times and 5:21 tells OF
he floods of water that swept away"
,verthrew, the chariots of Sisera. The
word discounted" we are told,
,uggests the sudden terror
md confusion which fell upon Sisera's
lrmy. Like all of Gods victories, it
vas most complete.
A bravo, outraged woman executed
sentence which some male member
4 her family would certainly have
'een bound to carry out.
The curse of Meroz" (5:23) is that
estowed upon tn shirker, the cow
rdly and idle. II is the curse of use
essness, the causes of which are
owardice, false humility and indo-
9nce. The work of the Avenger is q
ecessity.
Evil stalks the world on the way to 70
xecution; though wrong reigns. it
lust and will lead through the power
f the highest to Christ's glory (Eph.
II, Rom. $500,