Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-07-26

of women who have, in response TO the
urge of God, entered public life, entered
upon her career in a crucial period OF
the nations existence. The IL tribes
had conquered the promised land,
but some of the former inhabitants did
not relish the idea of giving up their
rich lands without seeking to recover
the same. National unity and union
had not been completely developed. 1t
! was rough period, for ''in those days
there was no King in Israel, but every
man did that which was right in his
own eyes, We see the history of those
primitive days repeated in the opening
up of any new territory. The pioneer
days largely repeat the experience OF
! Israel in the independence, the license,
the anarchy, the disorder" of the Pc
Rod of the judges. 1t was an irreli-
gious age, due to the destructive inf1u-
ence of the pagan faiths upon the re-
ligious life of the nation.
Deborah recognized the nations peril.
She was inspired to commence her ca
reer as a prophecies underneath the
historic palm tree, where she filled the
nation with the fire of her religious zeal
and patriotism. 1t took time for Deb
orah to acquire a reputation as proph-
etess, but some literally translate the
words "the wife of Lappidoth" as "a
woman of a fiery spirit" Her deep
spiritual life stirred up others until a
great reformation had opened up in
connection with her prophetical work.
The dangers of commercial relation
ships with Israel were so great that the
public highways were deserted and the
people travelled along secret and fire.
quently roundabout ways to escape
being held up by bandits and robbers.
who had overrun the country. Deborah
recognized the place that true religion
holds In reference to prosperity When
individuals presented their personal
problems to her for solution, Deborah
pointed out the religious phase of their
problem and its relation to the ma
TONS peril. Finally, after the people
OF the nation had been aroused by their
sufferings to petition Jehovah for aid,
Deborah summoned Barak to liberate
the nation from the cruel and crush
ing bondage of Sisera, the captain of
Jabin's army.
Successful Soldier.
When Barak hesitated unless he was
assured of her personal presence, she
took up the task of military leader
ship, believing that God called her to
save her country in that hour of ma
tional emergency. Sisera, captain of
Jabin's army, had oppressed and hunted
the people to that extent that their
lives were in danger. "Infirmity was
no protection; weakness woke no pity;
inoffensivenesS brought no immunity;
maidens and children were not safe"
They exercised cruelty for the purpose
of giving pain. Nothing can account
for, their persecution of Israel, except
anti-tribal antagonism and hatred.
She revealed strategical genius in the
way she developed her army out Of
nation that was unable to supply a
thoroughly trained and equipped force
She had expected to remain in the
sphere of the home and as an inspira-
ton to the nation. Barak was sur
prised by the onward sweep of Sisera's
army. but not so Deborah. She as
sumed command of Israel's army and
shamed Barak into obedience of her
commands. The army fought under her
orders. They fought because of their
devotion to Deborah, the mother of
Israel They fought and they won be-
cause God fought with them. The
mountain that was to witness the
Lords TRANSPORTATION was the center
of her plan. The storm OF sleet and
hail that beat upon Sisera's forces pre-
banks overflowed and 1sraePs enemies
were conquered more by the forces OF
nature than by ISraels army,
Sisera recognized that he was de-
feated. He ran for his life until he
was invited into the tent OF Jael, the
wife of Hebe. She promised him pro-
lection and gave generously to him OF
food, so that, worn out, he fell asleep
in Jaels tent. When she heard his
heavy breathing, Joel crept quietly into
the tent In her left hand was large
tent nail and great mallet was In
her right hand. She had a purpose
in her mind. She placed the nail
against the temple Of the sleeping man.
Then with one tremendous blow from
the mallet Sisera was impaled to the
earth. Joel'S hand was stained by the
blood of the man whom she had prom
ised to protect and save. He reaped
what he had sowed. He had made the
lives of women and children unsafe.
He may have died by the use Of a
weapon that he had used himself in
taking innocent lives. Deborah puts
her stamp of approval upon the deed
of Jael Although we may not condone
her act that fulfilled Deborah's proph-
ecy, we can appreciate the point of
view that Deborah took in the poem
which she penned approving Jael's act.
A Poetic Genius.
If Deborah had not won herself a
place in the hall of fame as a prophet
ess, soldier and an executive of Israel,
whose influence lasted far beyond heT
days, she would be entitled to honorable
mention for her genius as poet. In
the poem that commentaries Jael's
crushing blow we have poem Of high
rank. when in her great song of tri-
umpb she gloats over the fall of Sisera,
her deepest thought Is not of Sisera at
all 1t is of the children of her mother
hood" She Is rejoicing in the
changed conditions that await Israel