The Pulpit Commentary — Judges — Section 44

host. And when once the huge army began to yield, its own size and bulk would malce its defea_t the m_ore disastrous. And all was ris~ed at once. There was nothing more upon winch, quickly enough, to fall back. So m the hour of the Church's peril and extremity God has found his opportunity. The Pope's bull is burnt, and the Reformation commences boldly and decidedly. "Fear not, I am with thee," has been the voice that has made the turning-point in many a career. All the pomp and show of the world is brought to bear upon the saint; he sees through it; a step, a stroke, and it melts like the "airy vision of a dream," and he is free ! II. HE WHO DEPENDS UPON GoD will-1. See opportunity and hope again/ft over- wltelming odds. "Up, for this is the day in which the Lord hath delivered Sisera into thine hand. • So David-" The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine" (1 Sam. xvii. 37). So Gideon. This is the insight of faith. 2. Make careful preparation. "Trust in God, and keep your powder dry." The means, however inadequate, the best means at our disposal, must be employed. " God doesn't require my knowledge." "No more does he require your ignorance." It is a sign of respect to God, and a mark of thorough-going faith in him, that we make scrupulous use of the means he dictates. Often the "means of grace" are despised, to a Church's loss, to a Christian's loss, and sometimes destruction. "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength," &c. 3. Confide in the Divine presence and promises. Abraham is sure that" God will provide himself a lamb;" David sings, " Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, yet-will I fear no evil ; " and the Hebrew children were confident that the "God whom they served was able to deliver them." Faith as a grain of mustard seed "will remove mountains."-M. Vers. 17-22.-Vide eh. v. 24-27.-M. Vere. 8, 9.-DeborahandBarak. I. THEY WHO UNDERTAKE TO ADVOCATE DIFFICULT TASKS SHOULD BE WILLING TO SHARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE EXECUTION OF THE1l. Deborah urges Barak to fight ; Barak will raise the standard only on condition that the prophetess will accompany him. There are prophets who sit with Deborah under the palm tree and advise noble deedt1 while they excuse themselves from facing the danger of achieving them. In the spiritual warfare of the Church we find critics who can see the defects of the work others are doing, and advise great improvements, yet who will never encounter the perils of the mission-field or the drudgery of more homely work. It is well to devise good measures, but it is better, like Deborah, to help in the execution of them. JI. IN THE BATTLE OF LIFE A GREAT VARIETY OF SERVICE IS REQUISITE FOR FINAL SUCCESS. Deborah cannot lead the army, but she can inspire it. Barak cannot prophesy, but he can fight. Thus Deborah cannot secure victory without Barak, nor Barak without Deborah. We are members one of another, and all the members have not the same office. There is work for the seer and work for the warrior. The world always needs its prophets and its heroes. The worker without the thinker will blunder into confusion ; the thinker without the worker will fail for want of power to execute his designs. Brain work is at least as important as mechanical work. It is therefore foolish for practical men to despise the men of thought as mere theorists, and foolish for the thinkers to treat the active men of business ,vith philosophical contempt. It is peculiarly woman's work to cheer and encourage those who are called to the dangerous tasks of life. Wives and mothers who dissuade their hus- bands and sons from their duty because it appears to be dangerous are indulging in a weak and foolish affection. The highest love will seek to encourage those who are loved in all that is great and noble. III. IN THE SERVICE OF GOD THE FIRST REQUISITE FOR SUCCESS IS THE INSPIRING AID OF THE SPIRIT OF GoD. Deborah is a prophetess. She is gifted ,vith the wisdom and enthusiasm of direct inspiration, and thus becomes the inspirer of BD.rak and his troops. Barak feels that if Deborah goes with him God's counsel and encouragement will be given him. Do we not trust too much to the mere machinery of our Church orgD.nisD.tions in the execution of our work? One prophet in our midst is worth a thousand dull 1 earthly-minded men • The g-reat need of the Church in her battle with  44 THE BOOK OF JUDGES. [CH. IV. 1-22.