The Carlisle independent., 1915-01-07
INTERNATIONAL, SUNlNSQ1OOL
 LESSON tBy E. O. SELLERS, Acting Director of
 Sunday School Course)
LESSON FOR JANUARY 10
DEBORAH AND BARAK DELIVER
 ISRAEL.
LESSON TExT-Judges 4:41s.

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 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 Christs day, were chiefly concerned.
 Mother in Israel.
 l. Deborah's Call to Service, w. 4-e. 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 HID, yet because of Is- raers backsliding 1t is now strong enough to become the ruler. It is so with sin-allow it to exist and it will conquer. When, however, Israel re- pented and cried unto God (v. 3 he raised up a deliverer and in this case 1t was mother in Israel" (ch. SD. The word Deborah means "bee," and 1t 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. 1918; Deut 17:S-12). i. 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 judge, but prophecies by divine appointment QI Pet. 1:2D. When she called Barak at once recog. nized her note of authority (v. 6). Deborah gave Barak explicit instruc. tion and direction. In this chapter only the two tribes most interested are mentioned (5:17, 18).
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 II. Barak's Conquest of Sisera, w. 10-16. Barak was a bold, sagacious leader and chose one of the worlds best and most famous battlefelds, Els 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 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 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. Sisera did not, however, count upon Barak's powerful ally-God. ''Is not Jehovah gone out before them?" Deborah had enthusiasm and zeal, but needed Barak's action. She depended upon the -ure word of God and was devoid of fear (Rom. S:3D. She knew that victory was certain, for God had said so (v. D. Her charge, up, Barak!" was a clarion call nd served to nerve the entire army of Israel. Verse 15 tells us who it wes that won Josh. 10:10; Chron. 15: R-1D. EvA the stars fought against Sisera, mean ing that God turned the elements to the advantage of Israe'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, 1t was most complete.
 A brav2, outraged woman executed 3 sentence which some male member of her fami'v 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- Ience The work of the Avenger is a necessity
 Evil stalks the world on the way to execution; though wrong reigns, it must and will lead through the power