Deborah
Deborah was the fifth judge of Israel and the only woman judge recorded in the Bible. She sat under a palm tree as she judged Israel. Her moral authority was regarded as inspired by the Lord. She was also a prophetess. Little is known about her family except she was the wife of Lapidoth and lived in the hill country of Ephraim between the towns of Bethel and Ramah.
Commanded by God, Deborah summoned Barak and told him that he was to lead the Israelites against Sisera, the commander of the army of Jabin, the king of Canaan. Jabin had been terrorizing Israel for twenty years. Barak agreed that he would go, but only if Deborah would go with him. She agreed to go.
Israel’s army was far out-numbered, but God was on their side and not a single man of Sisera’s army survived. Sisera was then killed by a woman named Jael. As a result of this battle, the power of King Jabin over the Israelites in the north was broken, and the people had peace for forty years.
The "Song of Deborah" is one of the finest and earliest examples of Hebrew poetry. Deborah is among the outstanding women in Bible history.
Lessons from the life of Deborah:
- God chooses leaders by his standards, not ours.
- Wise leaders choose good helpers.
- When God calls us he doesn’t want us to be hindered by our cultural standing, gender or setting.
- She reminds us of the need to be available to God and others.
- God can accomplish great things through us when He is in control.
Read about Deborah in Judges chapters 4 through 5.
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