Commentary On Deborah

**INTRODUCTION**

The bible is full of characters who we can learn from. We can learn things we should and shouldn't do from their examples. All of us must have a hero in the bible someone that we would like to aspire to. Many boys these days like to pretend that they are spider man. Other than Jesus, which bible character do you admire the most and why?

I'll describe my favourite bible hero, try to guess who she is: She's from the Old Testament: She’s the Bibles version of Wonder Woman; she's full of courage; she trusts in God; she hears from God; she's a prophetess; a leader; a judge; and she sang a song of victory.

In Punjabi we might call her ‘Debo’ but in the bible she's known as Deborah. Just like a ‘sarpunch’ a village leader in the Punjab she sat under a tree in the hill country of Ephraim and the people would come to her for advice.

**MAIN**

Let's have a quick look at her story in judges chapters 4 and 5. God was leading Israel into a battle against the oppressor Jabin and was giving Israel the victory. Barak was supposed to lead Israel but he didn’t have the courage to lead them so Deborah had to lead Israel instead. Deborah could have refused and stayed at home thinking that it was a man’s job to go out to the battle field. But instead she rose to the challenge with her confidence in God, put her full armour on and went out to the battle field.

Does God want us to fight like this? Yes he does but in the spirit realm.

Read Ephesians 6:12-18 it tells us to put on the full armour of God for our fight is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces.

Jabin had nine hundred iron chariots, and he ruled the people of Israel with cruelty and violence for twenty years. Then the people of Israel cried out to the Lord for help.

Sounds very familiar, today we are frequently hearing in the news of a very powerful opposition full of cruelty and violence in our worldwide society. You could be experiencing powerful opposition in your personal life that are oppressing you, such as: family issues; work situations; harassment; health problems; financial ruin. Whether it’s a big or small difficulty, whatever the problem you too can cry out to God.

The psalmist expresses in Psalm 116:1,2

‘I love the Lord, he heard my cry and pitied every groan, as long as I live and troubles rise I will hasten to his throne.’

We can cry out to God, everybody knows how to do that and we can all hear God’s answer and instructions when we listen to Him.

Debra heard from God and therefore she knew the answer to the situation. Then she did as God instructed and therefore had victory over the situation.

Matthew 7:7-8 (KJV)

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

Very often we cry to God but we don't enquire from him what we should do.

John 16:23-24

“When that day comes, (when we are with God the father) you will not ask me for anything. I am telling you the truth: the Father will give you whatever you ask of him in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name; ask and you will receive, so that your happiness may be complete.

God gave victory to Israel because they cried out to him. Their leader inquired and heard Gods instructions and then did as God said.

If you do this you too can have victory for your situation.

After the victory that God gave her she sang a song.

Why sing a song? I don't know about you but I find it very easy to remember songs. We need to remember all that God has done for us. If singing helps you to remember all that God has done in your life and therefore to count your blessings, then sing about it.

**CONCLUSION**

Under Deborah's reign of 40 years there was peace in the land.

You too can live a peaceful life just as long as you keep your heart and mind stayed on God.