the same authority as the men who ex ercised the office of judge during the period of the book of Judges. She ad ministered the affairs of the people, and led them out of the difficult circum stances in which they found themselves due to their sin. How did she go about it? “ She sent and called Barak” (v. 6). By reason of her authority as a judge she did this. She told Barak the ma neuver to be employed in order to obtain the victory over Israel’s enemy, Sisera. Barak was to assemble his forces on Mt. Tabor from whence he would lead, them down upon the forces of Sisera which Deborah herself would manage to have gathered in the plain of Esdraelon along the river Kishon. The prophetess said to Barak, “ I will deliver him into thine hand” (v. 7). She spoke with the ut most confidence. There is a sense in which every child of God may have as surance of victory in the conflicts of life if there is a full yielding of the life to the Spirit of God. Furthermore, the way of victory for the believer is shown in Ephesians 6:10-18. Barak’s determination not to go to the battle without the presence of the prophetess was not necessarily a sign of weakness (v. 8). He doubtless re alized that this woman had power with God and he knew he needed divine aid if victory was to come to Israel. Wise are those who surround themselves with men and women of God. It is easier to live for God thus and to win victories for Him. The Song of Victory 5:1-7 It is always becoming the servants of God to sing praises to God after He has given them victories in their lives. Deb orah and Barak did not forget to do this after their victory over Sisera and his hosts. Moses and the children of Israel sang unto the Lord after the Red Sea had been crossed and their enemies had been overcome (Ex. 15:1). So it behooves us to watch lest the note of praise goes out of our lives. Think of the Apostle Paul in this regard and remember how often he was given to praise and thanksgiving in all of his experiences. Note especially verse two in which we see that the Lord brought victory to, Israel “when the people will ingly offered themselves.” Let us offer ourselves to God and see what He will do through us. Memory Verse: “ Be strong and of a good courage . . . for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest” (Josh. 1:9). Ehud, the judge of Israel, had died. Again the people turned from the Lord and did evil in His sight. God again caused their enemies to rule over them. For twenty years the Israelites worked hard for a wicked king. God raised up a woman judge this time to deliver His Helps ior the Children Deborah Saves Her People Judges 4-5
people. Deborah commanded one of the men to gather an army and to fight against the enemy. He was frightened and would not go unless Deborah prom ised to go with him. God gave to His children victory over their enemy. Deb orah and Barak sang a beautiful song of praise to God for His goodness to His people. You may read the words to this song in Judges, chapter five. The people again knew that only those na tions and those people who honor God will be blessed and protected by Him. Perhaps they remembered the words that Joshua had commanded their fathers years before: “ Be strong and of a good courage . . . for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” How glad they must have been to be in their own land worshiping in their own way once again! Doubtless they de cided in their hearts that never again would they disobey God and turn away from Him. Their decision did not last for long though. Soon they forgot God’s deliverance and His love for them and His care for them. Again they turned from Him to serve idols. Often we criticize these people of long ago for so easily setting aside God’s plan for their lives. But are we much different than they? Someone is ill or we have difficult problems in our home and we tell God that if He will answer our prayers and heal the sick ones or solve the problems we will faithfully serve Him. Perhaps we keep our prom ise for a few weeks, then we -become so busy with other things that we refuse to go to His house or to serve Him as we have promised. We must remember that He will be with us to bless us (jnly when we honor Him with every part of our lives. This week’s lesson has to do with the fourth apostasy and deliverance of the children of Israel. There were seven of these apostasies and deliverances alto gether as set forth in the book of Judges. With monotonous regularity Israel turned away from God into sin. God then permitted a pagan nation to bring them into captivity for purposes of discipline. Israel would then cry unto the Lord for mercy. God showed His matchless grace by always answering this cry by rais ing up a deliverer or saviour who brought them out of their oppression. Judges, chapter 6, is a good illustra tion of the seven-fold cycle found in this book. Israel sinned (v. 1). They were taken into captivity by the Midian- ites (v. 2). Then after a period of chafing under this servitude, Israel cried unto the Lord for deliverance (v. 6), after which the Lord raised up a de liverer in the person of Gideon (v. I lf.). Israel never seemed to learn from experience that obedience is the pleasant July 20, 1952 FOLLOWING GOD'S PURPOSE Judges 6:11-17; 25-27; 8:22, 23 Pointers on the Lesson
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