Deborah — Judge-Prophetess-Warrior

The Biblical Deborah

Deborah's biblical story is one of the few which featured female abilities and leadership. It is a wonderful example of how God can use any person who wants to be His servant. In fact, He even used people like Jonah who resist God at every turn, and John who argued with the other disciples about which one of them would be the greatest.

But resistance was never the case with Deborah, who was thought to be an Ephraimite because she resided in Ephraim. She was a judge and led Israel for 60 years in the 12th century before Christ. Her oversight covered approximately 20 years of national hardship before the Canaanite war and the peaceful 40 years aftermath. Arguably, Deborah was first and foremost recognized as a female prophet, then as a judge, then a leader in a military role, and even as a songstress. Also, she was a courageous warrior, minstrel, and mother.

The book of Judges chapter 4, rightfully identifies Deborah as one of the most influential women of the Bible. Biblically, she was and is in good company with other important prophetesses in the Bible: Moses’ sister Miriam in Exodus 15:20; Huldah in 2 Kings 22:15; Anna in Luke 2:36 and Phillip’s daughters in Acts 21:8-9. However, her full range of attributes might place her “head and shoulders” above them.

The Israelites with matters to be litigated would always come to their house, between Ramah and Bethel, with their legal proceedings. Deborah was the wife of Lapidoth. She sat outside under a palm tree, because it was inappropriate for a woman to stay alone in a house with a man who was not her husband. During the days, she adjudicated and settled the disputes placed before her judgment.

As a mother in (or of) Israel of all the things Deborah could have rightly called herself—judge, prophetess, warrior, deliverer, minstrel, faithful follower of God—she chose to call herself a mother. This much seems clear-cut, she is credited with regarding all of Israel as her children, and she faithfully worked towards their deliverance and peace.

The Bible says no one in Israel would arise and fight until Deborah arose as a mother. She was ready to take the risk for the safety of her children! Just like a mother would inspire her children to greatness. However, via extensive internet research, I found no account or names of any actual children of Deborah and Lapidoth.

Deborah was one of the few rulers of the Hebrews, who were called judges and the only female leader so identified in the Old Testament book of Judges. Like other Judges of that era, Deborah often sought guidance from the Lord by praying and meditating before pronouncing an edict on any disagreement.

By doing so, she fulfilled a role that originated when Moses appointed helpers to assist him in resolving arguments among the people (Exodus 18). She was acclaimed for upholding the prevailing law of the land by showing even-handed fairness, open transparency, and impartiality in passing her judgments.

Known for wisdom and courage; Deborah is a woman of the Old Testament also famed for her own faith and actions, and not because of her relationship with her husband or another man. She certainly had a very personal relationship with God, so much so– she was a prophetess!

As a prophetess, Deborah heard God’s voice and shared God’s message with others. As a priestess, though she did not offer sacrifices as the men did. She is credited with holding worship services and preaching to the people who petitioned for her judgments.

Recognizing Deborah’s qualities of judgment and leadership, the Israelites prospered under her tenure. This was at a time when the Israel people sinned and suffered the subsequent hardships, repented by crying out to the Lord. Our Father God responded with an unusual deliverance by gifting them the leadership of Deborah. Her tenure started with the Lord’s judgment against Israel. The people did evil in the sight of God, and he sold them into the hands of Jabin, king of Canaan. Deborah called for Barak from Kadesh in Naphtali and gave him the Lord's Word to deliver the Israelites from the bondage of the Canaanites.

Yes, the one leader who trusted the prophetic wisdom of Deborah was Barak who led a force of 10,000 men into a major battle. Barak stated to her, “If you will go with me, I will go; if not I will not go” (Judges 4:8). Barak was insisting he would not go to the battlefield without Deborah.

Deborah agreed, but she told Barak: “However, there will be no glory for you in the course you are taking, for the Lord will deliver Sisera into the hands of a woman,” who would weld the glory of conquering the Canaanite Commander.