Lesson 190 - Junior

Memory Verse

"The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?" (Psalm 118:6).

Notes

Self-Satisfied and Unthankful

The Israelites should have known that trouble always came upon them when they turned from God, but it seems that each succeeding generation had to learn that lesson for themselves. The land of Israel had had rest for a long time while a generation of young people grew up.

Prosperity often causes a person to forget God. The person feels he is getting along very well and does not need God's help. That is a dangerous condition to get into. We must remember that all our blessings come from God, and we should appreciate them and thank Him for them.

Instead of appreciating what they get, some people become selfish and do not want to share with anyone else. As long as God showers blessings upon us, He expects us to help others. And above all, we must return thanks to Him who gave us so much.

When Israel became self-satisfied and unthankful, they turned from God, and great trouble came to them. They were taken captive by Jabin, a king of the Canaanites -" one of those whom God had commanded the Israelites to destroy but whom they had permitted to continue to reign. His city, Hazor, had once been destroyed by the Israelites, but they had not continued watchful, and he had rebuilt it again right before them.

Nine Hundred Chariots of Iron

Sisera was a general in the army of King Jabin and had great power. Fugitives from other countries came to the fortress where he was stationed and joined his army until he had great military strength, including 900 iron chariots.

Now that Jabin ruled the Israelites there was great distress among the people. There was no law and order. People were afraid to walk or ride along the highways because of the many robbers who went unpunished. It was very dangerous to even go outside the city walls to get water, which they had to have. For twenty years Israel suffered this lawlessness, and finally they called upon the Lord to help them. They did not talk about being sorry for their sins, but their trouble was greater than they could bear.

A Mother In Israel

The Lord was merciful to them and gave them Deborah, a faithful prophetess who loved God and did what He commanded. People from the cities all over Israel came to her for advice. One day God commanded her to send the Israelites in revolt against King Jabin. Being a woman, she could not easily lead an army into battle, so she called Barak to be the general. He would have to fight against Sisera who had an army with 900 chariots of iron.

The Israelites had been in subjection for so long that they did not have horses and chariots nor arms and ammunition. It looked like a very unequal fight. It would have been if God had not commanded the Israelites to go. When God commands us to do something, He gives us all the strength and power we need to fulfil His commands.

Barak was glad that Israel was to have a chance to throw off the yoke of bondage, but he knew he could not trust only in his 10,000 soldiers to win the battle. God must go with him. And as Deborah was God's representative, he insisted that she go along to the battle.

Deborah was glad to do all she could for God's cause, and she willingly left her home and family to go to fight for her nation. She did not care for any honour for herself, but wanted the heathen nation destroyed so that God might be glorified. And she wanted peace and safety for God's people. That is the burden that any true Christian should carry; he should forget his own interests in order to further God's righteous cause. Deborah warned Barak that he would get no honour from the victory because God was going to deliver Sisera, the enemy general, into the hand of a woman.

The Battle at Mount Tabor

The men of war from the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali very patriotically rallied to the colours, and gathered at Mount Tabor to fight with Barak and Deborah. When Sisera heard that the armies of Israel were mobilising, he quickly gathered his armies; and with the nine hundred chariots he went out to put down the revolt. No doubt he felt confident that his might could not be overthrown. Deborah did not wait for him to come against them at Mount Tabor, but sent Barak and his 10,000 men down to meet Sisera.

There was a great battle that day, the Lord fighting for Israel. The Canaanites were utterly destroyed. Sisera had had great trust in those 900 chariots of iron; but when his army was destroyed, he jumped out of his own chariot and ran for safety.

False Security

A sinner may feel secure in the money he has saved, the home he has made for himself, the good reputation he has built up; but one stroke from God can sweep it all away. The Prophet Isaiah even spoke of a people who had made a covenant with death. They thought trouble could not come near them. But God said: "Your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it" (Isaiah 28:18). God will judge the people, and if they will not repent they will be helpless in the hands of an angry God.

Sisera ran from his chariot, helpless. He had fought against God's people and had lost his entire army and all his chariots. He fled to the tent of a woman where he thought he would be safe. Men were forbidden to go into the women's compartment, so he supposed no one would look for him there. The woman, whose name was Jael, was not an Israelite, but God must have moved her to help His people that day. She let Sisera come in and gave him milk to drink. She then covered him up so he would be hidden.

Sisera felt very secure. He had told Jael to let no one know that he was there. He was very tired from the battle; and when he had eaten, he fell asleep.

Many sinners have fallen asleep in carnal security. They think that because they have a form of religion they will be ready to meet Jesus, in spite of their sins. Others may not even have a form of religion, but will say: "I have never done anyone any harm. I do unto others as I would have them do to me. Would a just God condemn me for that?" God will not condemn one for his good works, but will surely condemn him for neglecting His great salvation. Jesus said: "Ye must be born again" (John 3:7). No one will be ready for Heave until he has repented of his sins and had them washed away by the Blood of Jesus.

Death to God's Enemy

As Sisera slept, Jael took a tent nail and drove it through his temples, pinning him to the ground. So he died. Barak, the captain of Israel's army, was trying to find Sisera; and when he came near Jael's tent she came out to meet him and said: "Come, and I will shew thee the man whom thou seekest." Think of the surprise of Barak when he saw Sisera dead upon the ground, with a nail through his temples!

The war was over; victory had been won for Israel. The enemy's leader had been delivered into the hand of a woman, just as Deborah had said. The Canaanite king, Jabin, could do little without his army, so he was soon destroyed also. And once more the land had rest. God gave the victory.

Questions

1. Who was the new judge in Israel?

2. Who was chosen to be the military leader in Israel?

3. What did he say when she asked him to lead the army against Sisera?

4. What did Deborah do to help the Israelites win the battle?

5. Where was the battle fought?

6. In what did Sisera place his confidence?

7. What was Israel's weapon of defence?

8. What happened to Sisera after he left his chariot?

9. Who won the battle? and into whose hand was Sisera delivered?