Deborah, Judge, Prophetess and Leader

“Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was leading Israel at that time. She held court under the Palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites came to her to have their disputes decided…Barak said to her, ‘If you go with me, I will go; but if you don’t go with me, I won’t go.’ “ (Judges 4:4-5, 8, NIV).

Read the story of Deborah, the prophetess, judge and military leader of Israel, in Judges 4 and 5. Her time as a noteworthy leader of Israel occurred around 1200 BC during the period of Canaanite oppression of the struggling nation. Called “a mother of Israel” (Judges 5:7), Deborah’s insight, leadership and godly courage brought about the defeat of Sisera, commander of the Canaanite army with its “nine hundred iron chariots” and its threats to Israel. The “Song of Deborah,” seen by many scholars to have been composed by Deborah herself and recorded in Judges 5, is a hymn of praise to honor God and to proclaim the victory the Israelites enjoyed and celebrated. Feel the jubilation in “The Song of Deborah” in these noteworthy praises: “From the heavens the stars fought, from their courses they fought against Sisera” (Judges 5:20). In the conclusion is a note of triumph and a prayer for God’s continuing presence with the nation: “So may all your enemies perish, O Lord! But may they who love you be like the sun when it rises in its strength” (Judges 5:31). The answer to that prayer is given as this section about Deborah and her leadership closes out: “Then the land had peace forty years.” (Judges 5:31 b).

Deborah’s story is a beautiful example of God calling women to notable work and inspiring them to lead courageously. Can you not see Deborah sitting at her judge’s seat at a place the people knew to gather to seek her advice? There she settled disputes and gave sage advice. Then when the scattered tribes were threatened with a grave enemy, Deborah called Barak to mobilize an army of ten thousand. She had a strong sense of God’s leadership: “The Lord, the God of Israel commands you,” (Judges 4:6) she told Barak. From Deborah, a judge, prophetess and leader of Israel, we learn that God can use a willing person even when the odds seem great. Trust in God and moving within the parameters of His leadership brought victory to Deborah, Barak and Israel.

c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Tuesday, August 17, 2010