The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1938-07-16
WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
Deborah: Emergency Leadership
By HIGHT {. MOORE
By HIGHT {. MOOR

By HIGHT
Scripture: Judges 4:l-9, 12-l4.
Golden Text: Who knoweth
,hou art come to the kingdom for
such a time as thiS?-tSther Ala.
The period of the Judges, or
oon-repal rulers of Israel in its
early national history, spanned
about three centuries from the
death of Joshua to the birth OF
Samuel. After disobedience came
decline and disaster as certain as
night follows day. But deliver
ance came after penltence as
surely as day follows night for
God raised up the Judges who as
MS special messengers threw off
the yoke and kindled anew the
fires of national spirit.
The rise of Deborah brought
hope to the tribes down-trodden
Dv Jabin for twenty years. The
victory of Barak over Sisera was
decisive. Deborah's song of tri-
umph is one of the finest lyrics
in any language. For forty years
thereafter Israel was undisturb-
ed.
A CRUEL KING: JABIN
esther 4:l-3)
OPPRESSION was cruel and
exacting. The Twelve Tribes had
been in Canaan for Il century and
a half For twenty years JabIn,
king Of Canaan, had cXacted trib-
ute from Israel. He especially OPP
pressed the northern tribes OF
Issachar, Xebulun, and Naphtah,
cutting them off by well-fortltled
garrisons from their southern
brethren. He had a magnificent
army under command of General
Sisera, whose war record was
brilliant. His military equipment
included 900 chariots of iron. HIS
sway over Israel was absolute and
abject was their servitude to him.
In deep agony the crushed, I'M
famine-stricken tribes
looked up TO Jehovah for help.
Who will rise to throw off the
calling yoke?
A COURAGEOUS JUDGE:
DEBORAH esther 4:4-5)
JUSTICE found place in the
midst Of oppression. In the hills
of Ephraim dwelt modest citl-
zen, Papidoth by name. His wife
was both a poetess and a proph-
etess. The fires Of patriotism KIM
died her soul into holy ardor. Her
verses rang through the land,
the people from their
lethargy and promising victory
over their oppressOrs. Soon she
became recognized as the Judge
of Israel. TO her seated under a
stately palm which grew be
tween Ramah and Bethel, the
children Of Israel came up for
Judgment. The wisdom of her de-
cisions was unqueStioned and her
fame extended as a wise ruler
But the tribes were like 50 many
independent states and their
on the north were
oppressed. 1t was time
for breaking the power of Jabln;
penitent Israel must be free.
A CAUTIOUS GENERAL:
BARAk Esther 1860
PATRIOTISM found follow
ing in the face of odds. Deborah
Barak, a gallant but
cautious general, from kedesh, a
city of the subjugated territory.
She babe him, under divine i'm
pulse, to collect ten thousand men
and rendezvous on the bare sum-
NIT of Mount Tabor, overlooking
the valley of Esdraelon. She fore
saw that Sisera would be drawn
thither and a victory for Israel
would follow. But Barak shrank
from the task. However, he
agreed to undertake it if Deborah
would accompany him. So she did,
and the requisite force was quick
~ gathered. Though some Of the
tribes were not represented, yet
the interest in this conflict was
more general and unanimous than
any similar event for more than
L hundred Years.
A CONQUERED CHIEFTAIN:
SISERA esther 4:l2-14)
VICTORY crowned the courage
of the patriots. In due time the
forces Of Sisera appeared in the
valley below. They seemed innum-
cradle and invincible. 1t is said
by Josephus that the forces on
Mount Tabor, even including l}a-
rak himself, were whitened with
fear and on the point Of yield
ing without a blow. But Deborah
them; she declared the
fit moment for the conflict was
at hand, and bade the ten thous-
and sweep down upon their enc
mics. SO the two armies so un-
e. ual in numbers and equipment
faced each other. The battle be-
gan with all the fury of ancient
hand-to-hand conflict. But anoth-
or power was united with that of
Israel. The rising clouds brought
the backs Of the Hebrews, it not
only did not blind them but press
ed them forward upon their OPP
pressors. The iron chariots of ia
bin stuck fast in the mud. The
horses trampled down the war
riors. The soldiers in confusion
turned upon each other. Hun
ireds fell into the swollen river
|ishon, were drowned and swept
out to sew. SiSersa was defeated