The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1920-04-08
LESSON FOR APRIL II
DEBORAH AND sARAk DELIVER
ISRAEL.

LESSON TEXT-Judges 4:l-S:3l
GOLDEN TEXT-God IL our refuge and
strength. a very present help In trouble
Ps. 46:1.
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL Judges
*l-3: Heb. l:32. 80.
PRIMARY 1~PIC-A Brave Woman
Helping a General
JUNIOR ToPIC-A Story of q Hero
and Heroine
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
Fighting on Gods Sido
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
The Services of Women In National
Leadership.
The book Of Judges covers the De-
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 declensiop may be 40
counted for as follnwsi
]. Failure to drive the Canaanites
from their midst.
2. Their amalgamation with the Ca
nannites. Their close proximity to
the people had Its leavening effect, for
they soon intermarrled 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. Idolntry. Intermarriage with the
heathcn was soon followed by the
Worship Of the heather gods. Thus Is
raers pnwS'r was gradually weakened
so that instead Of being cUnquerors
they became the conquered
In chapter 2:6-9 is given synopsis
Of the book Of Judgcs:'
!. The sin of the people wv. 6-13).
2 Gods Judgment for their sin tvv.
IA, 15).
8 Repentance of the people C :W.
4. Gods delivcrance at the hands OF
the judges (vv. l6-19).
A repetition Of sin. oppression by tho
enemy, repentance on the part of the
people, and Gods dcliverunce, is the
story OF the book OF Judges
I. The Judgeshlp Of Deborah a.:
q, 81.
Her name means "Bee." suggesting
orderly instincts. As suggested by an.
other, "Shc 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 an
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 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.
]. DebOrnh's call (vv. 6. y. 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 Jabin'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 II Is a 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 bsllfyed God's ability ta
give the victory WITHOUT the aid Of q
wOInnn,
8. Barak's rebuke (vv. O. lO). Do.
b0rah yielded his request. but made Il
plain to him that II would detract from
his honor as a conqueror, "for the
Lord shall sell Sisera into the hand
of woman"
III. The Defeat Of JabIn's Army wv.
1t18).
Sisera, the captain. gathered n
mighty army and went forth with full
assurance Of victory, but he made q
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 tseo S :2Q).
". sisera Killed by q Woman wv.
1920.
In his flight he took refuge In Jael's
tent. Under the guise OF friendship,
she committed the most heinous mar.
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 I'm Gel.
ebratiOn Of the marvellous victory