| And Barak said unto her ‘If thou wilt go with me, then I will go, but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go.’ And she said, ‘I will surely go with thee.’ (Judges 4:8-9a) |
Deborah was chosen by God to be a religious, judicial, and military leader in a patriarchal society. She was a prophetess, a judge, a wife, and a mother. Israel’s judges were recognized as leaders of the tribes they served. People came to Deborah asking her to adjudicate matters of disagreement between them, and she dispensed justice. She was one of only four prophetesses named in the Bible. She was the first female warrior mentioned in the Bible.
The Canaanites were at war with the Israelites. Deborah summoned Barak and told him God’s direction was that it was time for him to lead his army against the Canaanites. She told him to take ten thousand soldiers from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun to Mt. Tabor. He said, “If you will go with me, then I will go.” Barak would not go into battle without her. (Judges 4:8) Without hesitation she said she would go with him. Deborah was fearless. She would do what God led her to do. She and Barak rode out together. They waited until God told Deborah to attack, and when they did, the enemy was destroyed.
Biblical Principals
•Deborah was the woman whose direction in all things came from God. (Judges 4:4)
•She was courageous and unafraid to go into battle with Barak. (Judges 4:9)
•She facilitated the fulfillment of God’s will for the defeat of the Canaanite army by granting Barak’s request to go into battle with him. (Judges 4: 9)
•She praised God for the victory. (Judges 5:2)
•She was one of the most powerful women in the Bible. She was the mother of Israel. (Judges 5:7)
For Women Today
Sometimes we are afraid to assume new or larger responsibilities, or take on leadership roles even when we are qualified for them. We may pray for more responsibility or more authority and then hesitate to embrace what we told God we desired. Societal changes have provided more upward mobility for some women, but we may still fear the unknown. When God sees leadership potential in a woman, He will bless her to take on leadership roles. We may not be able to visualize ourselves in the role God has ordained for us. We may not see ourselves capable of the work God would have us to do. We may hesitate or refuse to obey His direction to move forward. When we have moments or seasons of personal doubt, we can think of Deborah, led by God to fulfill the roles He ordained for her in a patriarchal society. We see her confidence and her faith as a woman of God even in the face of battle. Just as Deborah went with Barak, God goes with us. We must have the same faith as Deborah. God will not lead us where His grace will not keep us. God offers encouragement when we are uncertain. If God leads us to it, He will see us through it. As believers we must put our trust in God.
For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, ‘Don’t be afraid, I will help you.’ (Isaiah 41:13)
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future. (Jerimiah 20:11)