Introduction
Deborah was a Jewish woman uniquely used by God to serve His people, the children of Israel. Among those of whom it is written judged Israel in the book of Judges, Deborah is in a class of her own in that she was the only female judge. One cannot deny that her story could give rise to questions concerning a woman’s place in leadership, especially within a church setting. This discussion nevertheless focuses mainly on Deborah’s heart to serve rather than her position. On the question of woman’s place in leadership, it is hoped the “activity” below when carefully considered and weighed biblically will lend clarity and affirm what I believe we already know, for every context we may find ourselves in as women.
1-second Activity
Please complete the following sentence by writing the first thing that comes into your head – (no one else is going to see your answer unless you choose to share it). We will come back to it later.
A woman’s place is …………………………………………………………..…………………….
Overview on Deborah
Before reading about Deborah it may be helpful to consider Judges 2, particularly verses 7-23, which gives a good overview of the times in which Deborah lived and was raised up to serve her generation.
The Scripture passages which relate specifically to Deborah are at Judges 4-5. Please take some time to read these too.
From these chapters we learn:
- Deborah was a prophetess (Judges 4:4) – a woman in whom the Spirit of God moved, led and spoke through, one of five of the mentioned prophetesses in the Hebrew Scriptures;
- she was also raised up to be one of the judges – throughout the book of Judges this is distinct from the role of a prophet/ prophetess. In fact, there was no prophet named in the book of Judges who was also called to judge Israel (there was an unnamed prophet mentioned at Judges 6:7-10) – it is when you get to the book of Samuel that you see the twin call of God to Samuel as a prophet (1 Samuel 3:20)and judge (1 Samuel 7:6). We can recall that at Judges 2:16 we are told the reason the Lord raised up judges for Israel, and so we learn that Deborah also judged in a judicial sense (Judges 4:4-5), a position of serious responsibility;
- She was a woman of courage. We glimpse this in her agreement to accompany Barak, the commander over the army to the battle against Jabin the king of Canaan (Judges 4:9);
- She was a woman who had acute spiritual hearing skills when it came to hearing exactly what the LORD said to her. Note, for example, Judges 4:14 where Deborah says: “Up! For this is the day in which the LORD has delivered Sisera into your hand.” (underline mine);
- She was a woman that praised and worshipped the LORD in song, giving God the glory (Judges 5).
- Deborah was a married woman (Judges 4:4), and though having great authority in her serving role, was under the authority of her husband (Genesis 3:16; 1 Peter 3:1-6).
Each time one reads about this remarkable woman one cannot help but wonder at the depth of the workings of the Spirit of God in her. Raised up as a judge, the LORD enabled her with wisdom, grace and no doubt much patience in a time where, as chapters 4 and 5 suggest, the men were unwilling or unable to be what and where they needed to be. Whether Deborah sensed this before her call by God or was illuminated about this after the call, what is clear is that she did not seek to usurp leadership of the children of Israel (note Judges 5:2, 9). She did not assert herself above the leadership; rather she served it, by being obedient to God and His will for her life. Note for example how she responded to Barak’s unwillingness to follow God’s command without putting ‘his own safeguard’ into the mix – she gave him God’s word, not her own (Judges 4:6-8).
Deborah’s Legacy
Among the treasures which Deborah’s story has left for us, the following are some thoughts for consideration regarding our service to and before God:
A Heart For Those We Serve
Deborah was a servant of the Lord – she served the Lord through serving her people both as judge and a prophetess. It is interesting that despite the loftiness of those “titles” she called herself simply ‘a mother in Israel’ (Judges 5:7). In this statement is a glimpse into Deborah’s heart. Her heart was for and with the people she served as a mother for her children, leaving for us a valuable piece of wisdom for us to keep hold of. The compassion of a mother’s heart can make such a difference. There are times we can serve but have no real compassion in our hearts for those we serve. Since it is the Lord we are really serving, might it be a good idea to ask ourselves every now and then ‘where is our heart?’ Where is it in regard to the people we are serving – are we “clanging cymbals” or a symphony of God’s grace? (see 1 Corinthians 13:1). Even as I write this, the conviction in my own heart is acute!
Total Obedience
At Judges 4:6-8 we see that Deborah brought God’s word to Barak but it was not enough for him – he also wanted Deborah to go with him to the place of battle. Barak’s response is perhaps why the Lord had raised up a woman in that season as judge for the children of Israel – perhaps there were no male leaders willing to lead solely on the word of God. In contrast note the example of the obedient spirit of Deborah (verse 9). She was obedient to God – when the Lord told her to speak to Barak, she obeyed. When Barak asked her to go to the place of battle with Jabin’s army – whatever her own thoughts, she agreed to go. Given the prophetic response she gave to Barak’s request it seems very likely she sought the Lord on this point too.
How often do we find ourselves following more in Barak’s footsteps rather than Deborah’s? We have the word of God and yet at times we doubt and/or mistrust and wrongfully seek human aide rather than rely on the words of God. Not that it is wrong to seek wise counsel from godly brethren but there are other times when on examining our actions, these show us it was mistrust in our heart. Note also at verse 8 that Barak sets conditions on his obedience to God – he was actually prepared to disobey God’s commands if his conditions weren’t met. Sound familiar? How many times have we read a promise in the Word concerning, for example, God’s power to do a particular thing and after we see it happen, we rejoice with thanksgiving and praise the Lord. How often do we rejoice and thank and praise the Lord before it happens – since God’s word is certain! As I said, the conviction in my own heart is acute!
Listening And Hearing God
We considered above that Deborah had a clear sense of hearing when it came to listening, not only to the voice of God, but to His actual instructions. We saw an example of this at Judges 4:14 from which we can also learn how important, crucial even, it is to know and discern the actual word of God. In Deborah’s case, it could have been fatal for Barak and his men if she had heard wrongly or not heard at all!
It is not that we are not going to get it wrong at times – I am sure we can all remember painful lessons we have had to learn here. We know that the Spirit of God was operating through Deborah and was upon Deborah, but she had to take time to listen and hear. We can pray and ask the Lord to quicken our “spiritual ears” and hearing, but we need to spend time with Him to hear Him. I do not believe that we hear from the Lord nearly as much as we need to because we do not make time to just sit at His feet, as it were, to hear Him through prayer and reading the Bible to simply know Him. It is going to become something we need to do in increasing measure in the times ahead. Let’s endeavour to and encourage one another to do as Paul wrote at Ephesians 5:16, to ‘[redeem] the time, because the days are evil.’ At times though, we find the issue may be distinguishing the prompting and leading of the Holy Spirit from our own or another’s voice, as well meaning as that may be. How precious it is to remember that through faith in Lord Yeshua we have been given access to the Throne of Grace that we ‘may obtain mercy and grace in times of need’ (Hebrews 4:16).
Full-Time Service
As well as being a prophetess and judging Israel, Deborah was also a wife (Judges 4:4) but she didn’t “clock in and out” of serving God. Even as Lapidoth’s wife, she still served the Lord.
Wherever the Lord has each one of us, whether a particular field of work, in a marriage, as a house-wife and mother, in study or ministry within or outside of your church fellowship (or all the above!), each one of us are called to serve God. It is interesting how many of us have a desire to serve God in a specific way or, as we will sometimes hear either ourselves or others say, “full-time”. It is interesting because there is a real sense that from the second we were translated out of the kingdom of darkness, we were in “full-time” service to God. At times we may have a sense that we ought to be doing more for God. In the absence of habitual self-indulgence and self-ishness, perhaps the very thing which seems so very little is exactly what the Lord requires us to be faithful in. Recall the widow’s two mites and the words of Yeshua Luke 21:1-4. Remember too Philippians 2:13 that ‘it is God who works in [us] both to will and to do for His good pleasure.’ Our part is to give our hearts to that service for God however and wherever He calls us to serve.
Even in the context of wives and single women we are still serving or at least ought to be serving the Lord. Those of us who are single ought to perhaps consider for example, 1 Corinthians 7:34 to remind us that our singleness is for the service of the Lord. Those who are married may wish to consider, for example Genesis 2:18-24/Ephesians 5:22-33 and see the “ministry” before the Lord they have in marriage. I found it fascinating reading the words of the extract about the solemnisation of matrimony from the Book of Common Prayer:
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this congregation, to join together this Man and this Woman in holy Matrimony; which is an honorable estate, instituted of God in the time of man’s innocency, signifying unto us the mystical union that is between Christ and his Church; which holy estate Christ adorned and beautified with his presence, and the first miracle that he wrought, in Cana of Galilee. It is commended of Saint Paul to be honoured among all men: and therefore is not by any to be entered into, nor taken in hand, unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly, to satisfy men’s fleshly lusts and appetites, like brute beasts that have no understanding; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God; duly considering the causes for which Matrimony was ordained.”
Thought-provoking words on many levels!
Encouraging Those You Serve.
Deborah’s willingness/agreement to accompany Barak (Judges 4:9) to the place of battle evidently stirred Barak into action. Having been encouraged by her favourable response, he obeyed God and called up the army of ten thousand men under his command, onward to the battle. Barak is noted for his faith at Hebrew 11:32, and did exploits by the hand of the LORD (see Judges 4:15) nevertheless, in accordance to the word of the LORD through Deborah, the victory over Sisera, Barak’s counterpart was given to a woman named Jael. A little encouragement may go a long way to those whom we serve – whether it is to one another or those outside the kingdom. Let us not forget that timely encouragement given into the hands of God can have a powerful effect in the lives of those we prayerfully serve.
Conclusion
Quite often when we read or hear about the extraordinary grace that which work effectually in a believer in Yeshua to enable them to do a great work or endure for His Name’s sake, we marvel. The Bible assures us these wonderful men and women of God – our brothers and sisters in the faith – are not made differently to you and I (see e.g. Acts 3:11-12; Acts 14:8-16; James 5:17). Deborah was an ordinary woman like each one of us, living in times which brought great difficulties to her people (recall Judges 5:7-8). In the context of her life, she was a woman who trusted and knew God (or more importantly, was known by God – note Galatians 4:9) and it pleased God to raise her up to serve Him in a unique way for Israel, to His praise and glory.
The prophetic word through the prophet Joel, restated by Peter at Acts 2:17-18 states:
“And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God,
That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh;
Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
Your young men shall see visions,
Your old men shall dream dreams.
And on menservants and on my maidservants
I will pour our My Spirit in those days;
And they shall prophesy.”
The last days have been here since the time of Yeshua’s earthly ministry – indeed John the Apostle wrote that ‘it is the last hour’ (1 John 1:18). The approaching steps of increasingly difficult days are being heard all over world, and in many places, have long been unfolding. Let’s be those who encourage and help one another continue to serve the Lord through serving others by the grace and power of the Holy Spirit until Messiah comes again.
A woman’s place is in the centre of God’s will!
God bless you.
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