On the battlefield of life on earth, as we face giant struggles, we are never alone. Our Father gave us authority to stand against evil. He also gave us the gift of faith in His power to defeat the foe.  Historically, our Father had prophets to pen victories to give us strength as we battle on. Deborahs faith of steel was evident to the unskilled troops.  They all saw the spirit of our Lord move among them by a woman’s strong faith in God.

A 20 year dark oppression was lifted by the hand of God. His way welcomed through the leadership of two women who trusted God above all else. With zero doubt, the unshakable faith of Deborah, Barak, and Jael inspired 10,000 troops to go into battle and fight to regain the victory promised.

Humble Barak, knew he needed God’s guidance to do the impossible. “If you go with me,” the humility and obedience of Deborah and Barak inspired all of Istael to take courage.  Rising to the top of Mt. Tabor in unity as God’s people, Deborah waited on God for His call to action. She commanded charge at the perfect hour that God had given to her. 

The extraordinary story of Deborah, a rare woman in ancient Israel, defied gender norms by serving as judge, military commander, and worship leader. During a tumultuous period around 1,150 BCE, the Israelites suffered under the oppression of Jabin, king of Canaan, and his formidable general, Sisera, who commanded 900 iron chariots. Deborah was called and equipped by God to lead her people during this crisis. She held court under a palm tree, where people sought wisdom. Her exceptional authority was respected in a male dominated society. When God revealed a military strategy to her, she summoned Barak, a military leader, to rally an army against the firece command of Sisera. Barak, recognized the need for divine guidance, and he insisted that Deborah accompany him into battle, displaying his humility and trust in her prophetic gifts.

Deborah agreed but warned that the glory of the victory would go to a woman. The  unexpected twist in the battle is God’s way of confounding the wise. As the Israelites assembled, they were motivated not just by military leadership but by Deborah’s spiritual authority. The battle unfolded dramatically as a storm turned the battlefield into mud, negating Sisera’s chariots’ advantages.

Ultimately, Sisera fled and sought refuge with Jael, a woman from the Kenite tribe. In a bold act, Jael killed Sisera, fulfilling Deborah’s prophecy and marking a pivotal moment in Israel’s fight for freedom. The victory had profound implications, restoring the Israelites’ faith and identity as God’s chosen people.

Deborah’s story culminates in the “Song of Deborah,” a poetic celebration of the victory that emphasizes themes of divine intervention, courage, and communal responsibility. Her legacy serves as a powerful reminder that true leadership and authority arise from faithfulness to God’s calling, transcending societal expectations and limitations. Listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to you as you read His Word.

Deborah’s roles challenged societal norms for women in several significant ways. Today, women continue to be used by God.

1. Leadership in Governance: As a judge, Deborah held a position of authority, making legal decisions and settling disputes at a time when women typically had limited power and influence in public affairs. This demonstrated that women could occupy high-ranking roles traditionally reserved for men.

2. Military Command: This was unprecedented!  In a patriarchal society where men were expected to lead in warfare, her leadership in rallying the Israelite army against the Canaanites broke conventional expectations and showcased women’s capability in strategic and combative roles. Women today fight in prayer for God’s will.

3. Prophetic Authority: Deborah communicated directly with God and conveyed His messages to the people. This spiritual authority was rare for women in the ancient Near East, where male prophets dominated the religious landscape. Her position challenged the notion that only men could speak on behalf of God.

4. Public Respect: Deborah was sought out by people from various tribes for her wisdom and judgment, indicating that she transcended gender biases. Her acceptance and authority were not just tolerated but actively sought after, which was a significant deviation from the typical marginalization of women. Pride often prevents men from hearing the wisdom of God, which speaks through them

5. Collaboration with Male Leaders: Deborah’s partnership with Barak, a military leader, illustrated a model of collaborative leadership that defied the traditional hierarchies. Barak’s reliance on her divine insight over his military experience highlighted a shift in how leadership dynamics could function.

Through these many roles, Deborah not only exemplified exceptional leadership but also paved the way for a broader acceptance of women’s capabilities in various domains, challenging the gender norms of her time.

Judges 5:1-31 On that day Deborah and Barak son of Abinoam sang this song: “When the princes in Israel take the lead, when the people willingly offer themselves— praise the Lord! “Hear this, you kings! Listen, you rulers! I, even I, will sing to the Lord;  I will praise the Lord, the God of Israel, in song. “When you, Lord, went out from Seir, when You marched from the land of Edom, the earth shook, the heavens poured,  the clouds poured down water. The mountains quaked before the Lord, the One of Sinai, before the Lord, the God of Israel. “In the days of Jael, the highways were abandoned;  travelers took to winding paths. Villagers in Israel would not fight;  they held back until I, Deborah, arose, until I arose, a mother in Israel. God chose new leaders when war came to the city gates,
but not a shield or spear was seen among forty thousand in Israel. My heart is with Israel’s princes, with the willing volunteers among the people.  Praise the Lord! “You who ride on white donkeys, sitting on your saddle blankets, and you who walk along the road, consider the voice of the singers at the watering places. They recite the victories of the Lord, the victories of His villagers in Israel. Then the people of the Lord went down to the city gates. ‘Wake up, wake up, Deborah!  Wake up, wake up, break out in song! Arise, Barak! Take captive your captives! “The remnant of the nobles came down; the people of the Lord came down to me against the mighty.

Some came from Ephraim, whose roots were in Amalek; Benjamin was with the people who followed you. From Makir captains came down,  from Zebulun those who bear a commander’s staff. The princes of Issachar were with Deborah; yes, Issachar was with Barak, sent under his command into the valley. In the districts of Reuben there was much searching of heart. Why did you stay among the sheep pens to hear the whistling for the flocks? 

Asher remained on the coast and stayed in his coves. The people of Zebulun risked their very lives; so did Naphtali on the terraced fields. “Kings came, they fought, the kings of Canaan fought. At Taanach, by the waters of Megiddo, they took no plunder of silver. From the heavens the stars fought, from their courses they fought against Sisera. The river Kishon swept them away, the age-old river, the river Kishon.  March on, my soul; be strong! Then thundered the horses’ hooves— galloping, go his mighty steeds. ‘Curse Meroz,’ said the angel of the Lord. ‘Curse its people bitterly, because they did not come to help the Lord, to help the Lord against the mighty.’ “Most blessed of women be Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, most blessed of tent-dwelling women. He asked for water, and she gave him milk; in a bowl fit for nobles she brought him curdled milk. Her hand reached for the tent peg, her right hand for the workman’s hammer. She struck Sisera, she crushed his head, she shattered and pierced his temple. At her feet he sank, he fell; there he lay. Where he sank, there he fell—dead.

“Sisera’s mother cried out, ‘Why is his chariot so long in coming? The wisest of her ladies answer; ‘Are they not finding and dividing the spoils: a woman or two for each man, colorful garments as plunder for Sisera, colorful garments embroidered for my neck— all this as plunder?’  — So may all your enemies perish, Lord! But may all who love You be like the sun when it rises in its strength.” The land had peace 40 years. Be like the Son of God, and rise in  His strength to face and conquer fear with faith, and the word of your testimony!

Perseverance