Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1920-04-09

tI-3 Heb. ll32, 80.
, PRIMARY 4 Plea Brave Woman
Helping General.
JUNIOR TOPlC-A Story OF Hero
and a Heroine
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
Fighting on Gods Side,
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
The Services of Women in National
leadership
The book Of Judges covers the ne
rlod from the conquest of Canaan and
death of Joshua to the judgcshp 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 he ac-
counted for rs follows:
|. Failure to drive the Guarantees
from their midst They had gained the
victory over them. but falling to ex-
terminate them their presence became
n constant source Of temptation. Their
mistaken tolerance became their un-
doing.
.. Their amalgamatlon with the Ca
NANTES. Their close proximity TO
the people had its leavening effect. for
they soon ntermarried with the heath
en-. Tolerance with the enemy Is close
~ followed by union herewith, ana
quick disaster comes in the wake OF
such union.
g. Idolatry Intermnrrage with tho
heathen was soon followed by the
worship of the heather gods. Thus Is
raoI'S powe. was gradually weakened.
so that instead Of being conquerors
they became the conquered coos
people lose their power over the world
as soon as they make alliance with 1t.
In chapter > go is given synopsis
of the book Of Judges:
|. The sin of the people wv. 6-10.
.. Gods judgment for their sin wv.
II. l5).
3. Repentance of the people 800.
4. iod's delivcrance at the hands Of
the judges wv. lG-lW.
A repetition Of sin, oppression by the
enemy, repentance on the part of the
people, and Gods deiyerance, is the
story of the bok OF Judges.
T. The Judeeship Of Deborah a.:
4, -.
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 Israelltes
were helpless, for the enemy had 800
chariots of iron. Deborah was an
unique character God raised her up
for such time rs this. Under palm
tree she held an open court for the
administration of Justice.
II. Deborah Summons Bafak a:
6-l0).
Barak means lightning Deborah.
beins prophecies, was able to select
the man whose gifts would enable him
to rally the forces needed TO gain the
victory over the formidable fee Judg-
Ing from his accomplishments, Barak
was true to his name, for with light
ming dispatch he wrought delverance.
I. Deborah's call wv. G. ~ 1t was
Gods call through her. She gave def
mite obstruction as to the number of
men and the strategy to be employed.
assuring BarGk that God would deliver
Sisera, the captain of Jabins army.
into his hand.
:. Barak's reply ". 81, Expression
Of unwillingness To go unless Deborah
would 90 with him should hardly re
considered as cowardce or weakness,
rs II Is well-recognized fact that the
presence of woman, especially the
prophecies, would inspire courage on
he part of the warriors. However, he
should have believed Gods cbllity to
give the victory without the aid of
woman.
3. Barak's rebuke wv. 0, 10). De-
,orah yielded his request, but made II
llain to him that 1t would detract from
lis honor as n conqueror, "for ne
ord shall sell S'sera into the hand
# a woman"
III. The Defeat Of Jabin's Army wv.
1-16).
Sisera, the captain, gathered a
mighty army and went forth with full
assurance of victory, but he made a
ad mistake he did not consider that
was the Lords battle w. 15). At the
psychological moment Deborah gave
he signal to charge, assuring Barak
hat the Lord would give the victory
v. LAY. Through supernatural inter.
position the enemy became panic
tricken (see 5 10y.
~, Sisera Killed by Woman wv.
7-2D.
In his flight he took refuge In JaeI's
ent. Under the guise of friendship
he committed the most heinous mur.
Ter. She fastened his head to the
round by means of a tent pin.
V. Deborah and earak's Song Of Vie
DRY (chap. 81.
This was composed and sung In cell
hration of the marvellous victory
ihich God had wrought. She ascribes
he victory TO God Praise Is given tA
hose who responded to the cry, and
ontemptible scorn is heaped upon
hose who remained behind She had
bsoutely no regard for the neutral
nd the paciflst SO complete was the
ictory that Israel had rest 40 years.
Answers to Prayer.
God has unexpected ways of answer