DEBORAH: A WOMAN OF VIRTUE

Who was Deborah and what makes her so special amongst other women of her time? First before we start inferring any attribute to her, let’s examine what the Bible first gives us about her.

 Of note is the condition the children of Israel were in at that time. They were in a state of serious backsliding and the Lord had given them over to their enemies. It states in verse one of the book of Judges 4 that: And the children of Israel AGAIN did evil in the sight of the LORD, when Ehud was dead. However after the continued explanation of the spiritual condition of the children of Israel in the verse one to three, in verse four, the Bible CONTINUES: AND DEBORAH, A PROPHETESS, THE WIFE OF LAPIDOTH, SHE JUDGED ISRAEL AT THAT TIME. Look at that, she judged Israel AT THAT TIME. Isn’t this amazing to hear? At a time of great apostasy, she A WOMAN judged Israel- A NATION, AT THAT TIME. In verse 5, it goes further to say that: And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Beth-el in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgement.

This woman was a wife and a prophetess, and in addition also a judge. How fantastic to note that God also wrought wonders among women. This shows that God is truly no respecter of persons and be it a man or a woman available for use, He will use. This woman was used of God to wrought mighty miracles for His people and deliver Israel from bondage. Let’s now go on further to examine her life in relation to others and God’s will.

In verse 6, it further goes on: And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam…and said unto him, hath not the Lord God of Israel commanded, saying…. This woman obviously was a woman of faith. She took God at His word and believed His commandment and acted on it. She was matter of fact about it- hath not the Lord God of Israel said. She did not query His word or His promise. Women most especially are prone to worry. This usually hampers their faith and ability to believe God at His word. God wants the best for His children and expects us to believe His promises and simply trust in Him. Thus another noticeable factor is that she had faith in God.

Verse 8 is noticeably striking. It states: 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. This is absolutely amazing. I mean what explains the fact that a warrior- a mighty one at that bases his going to war on a woman’s decision to accompany him or not. Nothing else explains it if not the fact that this “weaker vessel” carried the presence of God. That made the difference. A human being- male or female becomes different once s/he carries the presence of God. The presence of God in someone’s life makes the absolute difference between him/her and an ordinary human being or even a Christian who apparently doesn’t.

She was also a woman of immense courage and action. She was not willing to sit complacently and fold her arms, afraid, while there was a war to be fought to ensure the deliverance of her people. In the latter part of verse 9 it states: And Deborah arose and went with Barak to Kedesh. She was bold and willing also to go where she was needed for her God. Verse 10 also continues that accompanying all the men of valor who went up with Barak to war also was Deborah.

And Deborah said unto Barak, Up; for this is the day in which the LORD hath delivered Sisera into thine hand: is not the Lord gone out before thee? So Barak went down from mount Tabor and ten thousand men after him. (Verse: 14). This woman had authority. Barak and the other men could only go down at her word. If she had not spoken the word of God to them, they would have remained down in their doubts even though they were at the top of a mount. If you do not rise and take your position in Christ, so many others might not rise to fight and win the victory God has already promised them. Like someone once said: YOUR RISE IS THE RISE OF MANY AND YOUR FALL IS THE FALL OF MANY.

The end result of that day’s battle was of course as God hath promised; they had victory over their enemies. This was all because a simple woman believed the LORD and His word and it was so according to her faith. She stirred up Barak also and with the Lord on their side, they had victory.

In verse 31 of chapter 15 which is the song of Deborah and Barak, praising God, it concludes with them saying: So let all thine enemies perish O Lord: but let them that love Him be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might. And the land had rest forty years. Two things are worthy of note in this verse. First it talks about them that love the Lord. This indicates that the reason for their victory was that they loved God. Deborah was also obviously a woman who loved God. Of course God honours those who love him. Another worthy of note is that, the land had years for forty years in her time.

Though she has just two chapters of the bible in which her story is told, yet she lives her life with such dedication and servitude to God that her name is forever remembered for Good. God gives us this for our learning that e might profit therewith. She has served her time, it is now our time. We should also walk in the same path she walked and as we do so, we will fulfill the part we each have to play in this circle of life. We will only be remembered by what we have done.

PRAYER                    

Father I pray that for all who read this, that the grace to be who you want us to be, you grant unto us in Jesus name. Also that as our fathers have lived before us, we will also live in holiness, and service to you in Jesus name. Help us lord to do your will and that at the end, we see your face in glory and hear you tell us well done. We pray in Jesus name, amen.