The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1920-04-09

| GOLDEN TExT-God II our refuge and
strength. very present help in trouble
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL = Judges
els: Heb. u:32. "a
PRIMARY 1~PIC-A Brave Woman
Helping q General
JUNIOR ToPIc-A Story of Hero
and Heroine.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
| Fighting on Gods Side.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Tho Services Of Women in National
Leadership
The book OF Judges covers the Pc
Rod from the conquest Of Canaan and
death Of Joshua to the judgeship Of
Samuel. While Joshua and the eld-
ers of his generation lived the people
In some measure remained faithful to
God In obedience to his Word. but the
very next generation went into apos-
tasy. Their declension may be ac-
counted for as follows:
l. Failure to drive the Canaanites
from their midst.
2. Their amalgamation with the Ca
naanites. Their close proximity to
the people had Its leavening effect, for
they soon intermarried with the heath
en-. Tolerance with the enemy is close
ly followed by union Herewith. and
| quick disaster comes In the wake of
such union.
8. Idolatry. Intermarriage with the
| heather was soon followed by the
worship of the heather gods Thus Is
raels power was gradually weakened.
SO that instead of being conQuerors
|
In chapter 1853 is given a synopsis
of the book of Judges:
1. The sin of the people tvv. 6-13).
| 2. Gods Judgment for their sin wv.
IA. 15).
8. Repentance Of the people e :9).
4. Gods deliverance at the hands Of
the judges wv. 16-19).
A repetition of sin. oppression by the
enemy, repentance on the part Of the
people, and Gods deliverance. is the
story of the book of Judges
1. The Judgeship Of Deborah a:
4. 81.
Her name means "Bee," suggesting
orderly instincts. As suggested by an
| other. "She answered her name by her
industry, sagacity. and great use to
| the public" The period was marked
by awful oppression. The Israelites
| were helpless, for the enemy had 800
| chariots Of iron. Deborah was al
unique character. God raised her up
for such time as this. Under palm
tree she held an open court for the
administration of justice.
u. Deborah Summons Barak a.:
6-1O).
Barak means 'lightning." Deborah.
being a prophecies, was able to select
the man whose gifts would enable him
to rally the forces needed to gain the
victory over the formidable foe.
| 1. Deborah's call wv. 9, ~. 1t was
| Gods call through her. She gave def
mite instruction as to the number OF
men and the strategy to be employed.
assuring Barak that God would deliver
Sisera, the captain of Jabin's army,
into his hand.
| 2. Barak's reply ". 81. Expression
of unwillngness to go unless Deborah
would go with him should hardly be
considered as cowardice or weakness.
as 1t is well-recognized fact that the
presence of a woman, especially the
prophecies, would inspire courage on
the part of the warriors. However. he
should have believed Gods ability to
| give the victory without the aid OF
| woman.
| 8. Barak's rebuke wv. 8, 10). De-
borah yielded his request, but made 1t
plain to him that 1t would detract from
his honor as a conqueror, "for the
Lord shall sell Sisera into the hand
| of a woman"
III. The Defeat Of Jabin's Army wv.
11-16).
Sfsera, the captain, gathered
mighty army and went forth with full
assurance of victory, but he made
sad mistake; he did not consider that
| It was the Lords battle ". 15). At the
psychological moment Deborah gave
the signal to charge. assuring Barak
that the Lord would give the victory
". 14). Through supernatural inter-
position the enemy became panic
stricken (see :20).
~. sisera Killed by Woman wv.
1924.
In his flight he took refuge in Jaefs
tent. Under the guise of friendship,
she committed the most heinous muir
der. She fastened his head to the
ground by means of tent pin.
v. Deborah and Barak's Song Of Vic
tory (chap. 81.
This was composed and sung in eel
| ebration of the marvellous victory
| which God had vuro,1pht