DEBORAH
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Judges Chapters 4 and 5
“APOSTASY” is an ongoing theme throughout the book of Judges. Apostasy is the act of rebelling against, forsaking, abandoning, or falling away from what one has believed. My Pastor speaks of this term quite a bit, as it is apparent that apostasy is something that is not new, but still goes on today with God’s people.
It is believed that Samuel is the author of Judges. This is according to tradition. The date of composition is unknown, but it was undoubtedly during the monarchy. The frequent expression “In those days Israel had no king” (which is found in various chapters in Judges) suggests a date after the establishment of the monarchy.
The book of Judges is a frequent account of the Israelites apostasy. As such, Judges also tells of urgent appeals to God in times of crisis, moving the Lord to raise up leaders (judges) through whom He throws off foreign oppressors and restores the land to peace. It should be noted that God was, and is, the ultimate Judge. But the Israelites, through their apostasy, began to adopt the ways of the Cannanites. They even began to worship their gods. Obviously, faith was scarce and when trouble rose, the Israelites felt the need to have a “leader”, being oblivious to the fact that it was God who lead them all along.
Judges describes the life of Israel in the promised land from the death of Joshua to the rise of the monarchy (kings). Prior to our subject’s reign, there was an 80 year period of peace over the land. However, after Ehud died, the Israelites once again “did evil” (Judges 4:1). There was unrest. No peace. An apostasy.
We know that when one falls away from God, there can be no peace! There is no rest. There is trouble all around.
The Bible doesn’t say how Deborah came about being a judge. Why or how she was chosen. But she was indeed chosen by God. Deborah is described not only as a judge, but also a prophetess. She spoke the word of God, as God gave it to her. As a judge, she settled disputes between the people, but she also served as a leader. Deoborah was also the wife of Lapidoth.
Deborah’s ministry was quite effective and powerful. After Moses, only Samuel filled the same combination of offices as did Deborah. That being prophet, judge, and military leader. Wow, what a woman!!!!
Deborah served regularly as a judge, hearing and deciding cases brought to her by the people of Israel. (Judges 4:4-5) She held court at the “palm tree of Deborah,” in the southern part of the territory of Ephraim.
God gave Deborah a message to deliver to Barak, the Commander of Israel’s army. The Lord wanted Barak to take 10,000 men from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun and lead the way to Mount Tabor. The Lord would lure Sisera, the Commander of the Canaanite army of chariots, to the Kishon River. Once Sisera arrived with his troops, the Lord would give them over to the Israelites.
Barak was hesitant and showed signs of anxiety. He told Deborah that he would go only if she went with him. Deborah told him that the Lord has already gone before him, but she did not hesitate and agreed to go with him, but warned Barak that his lack of confidence would result in him losing his reward. Thusly, the Lord would reward a woman instead.
Doesn’t this remind you of us today? So many men are not willing to stand up and be a real man. So many have dropped the ball and are hesitant to lead where they should be. Some are not taking care of their families — they’re leaving it up to the women. Some are not even in their homes, and some who are do not serve as the head of the household. And that is by their own choice! We’re in a war today as well. We have to fight against the streets for our children. We are fighting against the wiles of the devil who is trying to destroy the family. We have men who are in leadership positions but are not leading by good example. Women are taking up the slack.
Well, as always, God was true to His Word. And this is something else that Judges demonstrates quite loudly — the faithfulness of God. God had never forsaken the Israelites, and never will He forsake us. He is faithful!!!! God destroyed all of Sisera’s men as He said. But, Sisera got away and fled. He went to Heber, the Kenite’s home (tent), where his wife Jael took him in. She persuaded him in to rest. Sisera asked Jael to watch out and not let anyone know he was there. Once Sisera was asleep, Jael took one of the tent’s peg and stabbed him in the temple ---- killing him. Thus the prophecy, “the Lord will hand Sisera over to a woman” was fulfilled. Interesting note here. Jael was a Kenite. Kenite’s were Ethiopians. Black people! God chose, not only a woman, but a Black woman to be a heroine in this event. So, this is not only about Deborah, a woman, but also Jael, a Black woman.
Jael is again referenced in chapter 5 of Judges, through the words of a song written by Deborah. Verse 24 says “Most blessed of women be Jael.....most blessed of tent-dwelling women.”
Deborah and Barak sang this song after the victory. They praised God for His faithfulness and protection. They thanked God for what He did. We should all praise God for certainly He has moved a mountain or two in your life. Certainly He has blessed you. Certainly He has done great things in your life. One thing we know about God is that He’s consistent! We can always trust and depend on Him. We can believe that He will send someone with a word for you. We know that He will go, and has gone, before you in your journey. He has already made the way.
Though Barak was hesitant to take the lead, God had already prepared Deborah for the task. God prepares leaders. He equips them. And sometimes leaders come in forms that we may not expect. But, what Deborah shows is that God can and does use ordinary people for His extra-ordinary work. He can use a woman just as well as a man to lead His people. Women, you are beautiful, you are strong, you are blessed!
Written by: Carla Y. Nix |