The Hebrew title for the book of Judges is Shophetim, which means judges, rulers, or deliverers. These judges appointed by God, were responsible for settling disputes and leading the people politically and militarily.
After the death of Joshua, the people of Israel became disobedient and idolatrous; forsaking their covenant with God time and again. Every man did “what was right in his own eyes.” (Judg. 21:25) What resulted was corruption and defeat. Yet even when they turned against Him, God remained faithful to His people. He heard their cries and raised leaders to break Israel free from their bondage and return them to fellowship with Him. And one of these “judges” was Deborah, a mother in Israel.
Even though the culture at the time meant that men usually did the ruling, this time God, who isn’t bound by tradition, chose a woman. “Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, was judging Israel at that time. She used to sit under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim; and the sons of Israel came up to her for judgement.” (vs. 4:4-5) The Israelites were being persecuted by Jabin, king of the Canaanites and the commander of his army, Sisera. The people cried out under their oppression and it was Deborah who answered the call.
Under the direction of God, She summoned Barak, the son of Abinoam to gather ten thousand men for battle. But she didn’t stop there. She also promised to lure Sisera, to the riverside and deliver him into Barak's hands; which she did successfully. Deborah loved the Lord and served Him faithfully. She obeyed and insisted that His will, not hers be done. Because she followed God’s direction, the armies of Canaan were defeated and their king destroyed. And the Lord rewarded Deborah by giving her the honor for the Israelites win.
After the victory instead of patting herself on the back, Deborah, like Moses, sang a song giving God the glory ending with, “Thus let all Your enemies perish, O Lord; but let those who love Him be like the rising of the sun in its might.” (v. 5:31) A sentiment echoed in Daniel 12:3 which says, “Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.”
Deborah is a beautiful example of a woman whose faith in God made her shine as a light to her people. Her story shows us that that no matter who we are, male or female, great or small, when we are open and willing to be used by God, great things can be accomplished in His name. Because Deborah listened and obeyed God’s direction, Israel experienced a great victory and were led back into righteousness. And even better, because of her service to the Lord, “the land was undisturbed for forty years” (v. 5:31)
I pray to have the heart of a Deborah! How about you? Do you have the same strong faith and commitment to serving God? Are you willing to listen to God’s direction and follow His plans? Are you willing to go to battle to see His will done?
“To have Faith in Christ means, of course, trying to do all that He says. There would be no sense in saying you trusted a person if you would not take his advice. Thus if you have really handed yourself over to Him, it must follow that you are trying to obey Him”....C.S. Lewis