The Dolores star., 1920-04-09

SotbEN IEAI-iod Is our refuge ana
strength. very present help In trouble
Ps. 46l
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL Judges
+:l-3 Heb II: :32. 33.
PRIMARY 1.PIc-A Brave Woman
Helping a General.
JUNIOR ToPIc-A Story Of Hero
and a Heroine. sB
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 pc
riod 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 &C.
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.
3. Idolatry. Tntermarrlage with the
heather was soon followed by the
worship of the heather gods. Thus Is
raei's power was gradually weakened.
so that instead of being conQuerors
they became the conquered.
In chapter 800 is given q synopsis
of the book OF Judges:
1. The sin Of the people (vv. 6-l3).
2. Gods Judgment for their sin tvv.
IA. 15).
). Repentance Of the people (3:9).
4. Gods deliverance at the hands Of
the judges wv. 1G-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.
I. 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 mnrked
| by awful oppression. The Israelites
were helpless, for the enemy had 900
| charots of iron. Deborah was ali
unique character. God raised her up
for such time as this. Under palm
tree she held an open court for the
| administration OF justice.
~. Deborah Summons sarak "a:
6-1O).
Barak means "lightnlng." 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 (vv. 6. u. II 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 Jabn's army.
into his hand.
2. Barak's reply ". 81. Expression
of unwillIngness 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 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 a
| woman.
| 3. Barak's rebuke (vv. 0. 10Y. De-
bOrah yielded his request, but made 1t
plain to him that II would detract from
his honor as a conqueror, "for the
Lord shall sell Sisera into the hand
of woman"
~. The Defeat Of Jabin's Army (vv.
1l-16).
Sisera, the captain, gathered
mighty army and went forth with full
assurance of victory. but he made a
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 :2O.
~. sisera Killed by 4 Woman wv.
1920.
In his flight he took refuge In Jael's
tent. Under the guise OF friendship.
she committed the most helnous muir
der. She fastened his head to the
ground by means of tent pin.
v. Deborah and 1arak's Song Of vlc-
tory (chap. 81.
This was composed and sung in Gel
ebration of the marvellous victory
which God had wrought.