Judges 5:1-11 Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day, saying,… Now in this text we are called upon to celebrate our leaders, "for that the leaders took the lead in Israel." Deborah, with a fine instinct, perceived the singular value of great and heroic leaders. In some directions to-day there is a disposition to obscure greatness, to deny, I was going to say, the supreme value of splendid talents. Oh, let us recognise the rights of the people. We must never forget in this world the wonderful importance of the man as against the multitude. The Roman soldier was a master in his art and profession, but what would all the Roman soldiers have been but a rabble without Caesar? I dare say those sailors four centuries ago were brave and skilful Italians and Spaniards, but they would have done very little with that barque on the Atlantic without Columbus. You may have fine masons and painters, but if St. Peter's is to be built in Rome or St. Paul's in London you must have Michael Angelo in one place and Sir Christopher Wren in the other. Oh, no, let us acknowledge the multitude, and all the rights that pertain to them, but that need not for a moment obscure our mind as to the appreciation of men of supreme genius. "For the leaders that took the lead bless ye the Lord." The great architects, the great navigators, the great captains; they are all great gifts of God to humanity. Outside a great leader is the architect of civilisation, and in the Church a great leader is the organiser of victory. (W. L. Watkinson.) Parallel Verses KJV: Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day, saying,WEB: Then Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam sang on that day, saying, |
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