Lesson 191 - Junior

Memory Verse

"Let them that love him he as the sun when he goeth forth in his might" (Judges 5:31).

Notes

Victory

We have read about the sufferings of the Children of Israel, caused by their disobedience to God. They met with defeat when they did not serve the Lord. The scene was changed when they turned to God and followed Him. In last Sunday's lesson, we read about Deborah, a prophetess, whom God made a judge in Israel. She, along with Barak, led Israel's armies to victory. Barak is listed in the eleventh chapter of Hebrews as one who had conquering faith. Because they obeyed God, He delivered the enemy into their hands.

A Song of Thanksgiving

Deborah and Barak knew that it was God who had brought the victory. They took no credit to themselves. That God might receive honour and glory, they were inspired to sing a song of thanksgiving and victory to the Lord for His mercy to them. They were so grateful to God that, no doubt, on that very same day they wanted to praise Him in song. They did not wait until months later to praise God. This can be a lesson for us. Do we praise God as faithfully and as promptly as did Deborah and Barak?

Let us consider this song. Perhaps it will be an example for us. Deborah and Barak had a right to sing unto the Lord; so have we. In James 5:13 we read, "Is any merry? Let him sing psalms." A song was a good way to spread the news, and to keep it in remembrance. One of David's Psalms says that "one generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declares thy mighty acts" (Psalm 145:4).

Willing Service

Why did God avenge His people? Because they gave willing service to Him. That is the secret of being a victor through the power of God -" "the people willingly offered themselves." What they did, they did for the Lord; not because it was expected or required of them, not grudgingly asking, "Do we have to?" The armies of Deborah and Barak were victorious because they gave willing service. We can be victorious if our service is willingly given to God. What kind of service do we offer the Lord?

The praises of this song were directed to the Lord God of Israel. No doubt, in times past, when the Children of Israel had served other gods, their songs were to false gods.

As they were praising God for their recent victory, to their memory came many past blessings. God had been with the Children of Israel so long as they served Him. Often, today, when God's people praise Him for what He is doing, they recall former blessings of God's mercy and help.

In Trouble

Deborah sang of the conditions that were in Israel before God raised her to be a judge. She did this to show how great was God's deliverance. The highways had not been occupied; where were the merchants, the caravans, the trade? Travellers had used the byways instead of the highways; were they unsafe because of robbers and thieves? People did not live in the villages; had they taken refuge in walled cities from which they could not care for the crops? There was war in the gates where sat the judges and officers; was there no place to take their problems to be dealt with justly? No shield or spear could be seen; were they conquered and stripped of their weapons? There was a noise of archers in the places of water-drawing; could not a person even draw water in peace?

Why had there been all this trouble? "They chose new gods." After their fathers had made the choice to serve the Lord when Joshua had said, "Choose you this day whom ye will serve" (Joshua 24:15), they had forsaken God to serve new gods. That was why all this trouble had come upon Israel. Children must choose today, too, whom they will serve, regardless of the choice of their parents. Are you serving God, or the enemy of your soul?

Mighty Acts of God

Deborah sang unto the Lord for the great things that He had done. Now they could walk in the way and sit in safety to judge. Now they could draw water without fear. Deborah reheared the mighty acts of God " not those of man. This was the Lord's doing.

Deborah felt that she had reason to praise the Lord. She bestirred herself to even more praises, for God had given Israel victory over the enemy who had 900 chariots of iron and who had oppressed them for 20 years (Judges 4:3). God had given Deborah, a mother in Israel, authority over the mighty armies. Perhaps no man could be found at that time whom God could trust with the responsibility of being a judge. But there was a woman. Deborah, a prophetess, who was courageous and faithful, one upon whom God could depend. God has used other women to carry out His plans, too. As Jesus tarries, God will use all who are faithful, courageous, and obedient.

Let us bestir ourselves to more praises to God for His mighty acts to us. Who knows but from your own class, God will raise up one -" boy or girl -" through whom He can work wonders?

Those Who Fought For Israel

Deborah knew their enemies, and she was not unmindful of those who were fighting with Israel. Nor did she overlook those who were neutral, those who sat back doing nothing. Through this victory, God was glorified, but the people He used received due recognition in Deborah's song.

Those who fought for Israel included the tribe of Ephraim among whom Deborah dwelt (Judges 4:5). The tribe of Benjamin went with Deborah and Barak into battle. Machir, the western half-tribe of Manasseh, sent governors to help, and the princes from Issachar were with Deborah. From Zebulun came men of learning, perhaps better at writing than at fighting, but they were willing to fill their place. They, along with Naphtali (Barak's tribe), risked their lives in a courageous manner. They lived close to the enemy, and no doubt would rather have died fighting than he captives. God saw them all.

Even the things of nature fought against Sisera and for Deborah. God used the stars; and the River Kishon swept away many of the enemies.

Those Who Did Not Fight

Deborah also mentioned in the song those who took no part in the fight against Jabin king of Canaan, and Sisera his captain. The tribes of Judah and Simeon were not named. Perhaps, because they lived farther to the south they had not been expected to join in the conflict. There were others who lived near, who could have helped but did not. The men of Reuben stayed with their flocks, instead of doing their duty by joining the others in battle. Even though they lived beyond Jordan as did Gilead (Gad), they could have been faithful.

The tribes of Dan and Asher were indifferent to the call to battle. They stayed at their homes by the sea. A special curse was pronounced upon Meroz, no doubt a place near the scene of battle, whose inhabitants were expected to come "to the help of the LORD." No more mention is made of this place and its inhabitants. It is supposed that it was destroyed by the curse, because of its failure.

A Spiritual Battle

Today there is a battle between right and wrong. God's people have an enemy of their soul -" Satan -" who would oppress and capture them if given a chance. God's people are victorious through the power of God, just as Deborah and Barak were victorious over the enemy. God's people band together in prayer and join forces against Satan. They know Satan is their enemy, just as Deborah knew that Jabin the king of Canaan, and Sisera his captain, were their enemies.

God knows, and our leaders know, those who are with them in this conflict of right against wrong. They also know those, even among the congregation, who sit back with indifference and neglect of duty, taking more interest in their own affairs, being occupied in worldly gain, loving ease rather than battle, failing God and His cause.

Blessings

The song of Deborah honoured Jael whose act completed the victory. Jael was not of the Israelites, yet she was loyal to the God of Israel when she could have gained favour with the Canaanites. Jael, in her tent, undoubtedly received as great a reward as did Barak whose place was on the battlefield. You, too, have a reward in store if you faithfully and loyally fill the place that God has given you.

Sisera's mother was like a sinner who is eager and impatient. Her hope and confidence were not the kind that endure, for they were based on worldly gain. Ruin and sorrow came to her although she had expected honour and riches.

Deborah concluded her song with a prayer and a prophecy that in due time all enemies of God will perish. Her song is a testimony that it pays to give willing service unto the Lord.

Questions

1. Why did Deborah and Barak sing this song?

2. What kind of song was it?

3. What had God done for the Children of Israel?

4. Who was Deborah?

5. Why were the Children of Israel in trouble?

6. Why did not all the Children of Israel go to battle?

7. What kind of service did the people offer the Lord?

8. Why were the Children of Israel victorious?