DEBORAH

DEBORAH

HER NAME MEANS "Honey Bee"

HER CHARACTER:

Her vision of the world was shaped not by the political situation of her day but by her relationship with God. Though women in the ancient world did not usually become political leaders, Deborah was just the leader Israel needed - a prophetess who heard God and believed him and whose courage aroused the people, enabling them to throw off foreign oppression.

HER SORROW:

That her people had sunk into despair because of their idolatry, forgetting God's promises and the faith of their ancestors.

HER JOY:

That God turned the enemy's strength on its head, bestowing power to the weak and blessing the land with peace for forty years.

KEY SCRIPTURE:

Judges 4-5

HER LIFE AND TIMES:

WOMEN AS LEADERS

While women leaders were uncommon in Israelite society, they were not unheard of. In this time of the judges, when Israel was spiritually malnourished, in a state of civic disorder, and oppressed by its enemies, Deborah stepped up to the challenge. Her leadership role probably evolved gradually, as her wisdom became known. When God spoke to Deborah, she immediately responded by calling to Barak to lead the people in a battle against their oppressor of twenty years. Barak's reluctance to go without Deborah starkly revealed Israel's lack of strong male leadership.

Deborah was the only female to hold the position of judge in Israel, but she was not the only female prophet noted in the Bible. Several others are listed: Miriam (Exodus 15:20), Huldah (2 Kings 22:14), Noadiah (Nehemiah 6:14), Anna (Luke 2:36), and four unmarried daughters of Philip the evangelist (Acts 21:9).

Scripture describes Deborah as "a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth." Interestingly, when Deborah described herself, she didn't use terms like prophet or wife or judge or general or leader or any other term of influence and power. She described herself as "a mother in Israel" (Judges 5:7). Her position was one of mother not only to her own biological children, but mother to all the children of Israel. Though they had forgotten not only who they were but also whom they served, their mother Deborah reminded them and led them in a victory procession to peace.

Perhaps you're not in an influential position of authority - you can still be a mother to your children and the children in your neighborhood and lead them in the right direction. Perhaps you have little power in your job or position you can still be a mother to those around you and inspire them to righteousness. Perhaps your life allows little time or opportunity for significant positions of leadership - you can still be a mother in your sphere, whether big or small, wielding influence far beyond your lowly position. You can be like Deborah, used of God to be a mother in Israel.

HER PROMISE

Deborah has been an encouragement to women throughout the centuries. When women feel confined or mistreated, when they are unsure of what is right or which way to proceed, when they are entering unknown territory, when they feel overlooked or ignored - they gain stability and help from remembering Deborah.

Whatever Deborah had is available to you today. Her wisdom is discovered in the Scriptures. Her confidence in God is found in a relationship with him. Her bravery is achievable when you put your trust in God and his promises. Her inner strength and calm leadership are characteristic of confidence not in herself but in her God. All Deborah offered to Israel she offers to you as an example of a woman willing to be used by God.

Promises in Scripture:

Village life in Israel ceased, ceased until I, Deborah arose, arose a mother in Israel-JUDGES 5:7

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God -PSALM 20:7

Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the word of his servant?

Let those who walk in the dark, who have no light, trust in the name of the LORD and rely on their God-ISAIAH 50:10

HER LEGACY OF PRAYER

Hear this, you kings! Listen, you rulers! I will sing to the LORD, I will sing; I will make music to the LORD, the God of Israel -JUDGES 5:3

REFLECT ON: Judges 4

PRAISE GOD: For speaking clearly to his people. 

OFFER THANKS: That God gives prophets to the church, women as well as men. 

CONFESS: Anything that makes you reluctant to listen for God's voice. 

ASK GOD: To help you discern his voice.

Lift Your Heart

It's difficult, even unpleasant, to listen to two pieces of music at once. Likewise, it's hard to listen to God's voice at the same time you are listening to voices of confusion, discouragement, and condemnation. Deborah's peace and confidence as a leader stemmed in part from her ability to hear God clearly. This week ask the Holy Spirit to help you distinguish God's voice from all the background noise. Ask for grace to discipline your thoughts in order to hear God better. As you pray, put on some quiet background music to remind you to tune in to the one Voice worth listening to.

Lord, I want to hear your voice. Help me to recognize and resist all the phony voices that masquerade as yours. Help me to distinguish yours from all the others. Make me a woman who both listens and speaks your Word.