Hey, lovely friends! Today I’m starting a new series about the women of the Bible and how we can learn from their examples. Each month, I’ll highlight a different godly woman, her story, and three key things we can take away from her life. If you have a particular woman of the Bible you’d like to see a post about, let me know here! I love hearing from you <3
Who Was Deborah?
Deborah was a prophetess and judge in the Old Testament. Her story is found in Judges 4:4-14.
4 Now Deborah, a prophet, the wife of Lappidoth, was leading Israel at that time. 5 She held court under the Palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites went up to her to have their disputes decided. 6 She sent for Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali and said to him, “The Lord, the God of Israel, commands you: ‘Go, take with you ten thousand men of Naphtali and Zebulun and lead them up to Mount Tabor. 7 I will lead Sisera, the commander of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his troops to the Kishon River and give him into your hands.’”
8 Barak said to her, “If you go with me, I will go; but if you don’t go with me, I won’t go.”
9 “Certainly I will go with you,” said Deborah. “But because of the course you are taking, the honor will not be yours, for the Lord will deliver Sisera into the hands of a woman.” So Deborah went with Barak to Kedesh. 10 There Barak summoned Zebulun and Naphtali, and ten thousand men went up under his command. Deborah also went up with him.
11 Now Heber the Kenite had left the other Kenites, the descendants of Hobab, Moses’ brother-in-law, and pitched his tent by the great tree in Zaanannim near Kedesh.
12 When they told Sisera that Barak son of Abinoam had gone up to Mount Tabor, 13 Sisera summoned from Harosheth Haggoyim to the Kishon River all his men and his nine hundred chariots fitted with iron.
14 Then Deborah said to Barak, “Go! This is the day the Lord has given Sisera into your hands. Has not the Lord gone ahead of you?” So Barak went down Mount Tabor, with ten thousand men following him.
What We Can Learn From Deborah
She Trusted God
The Canaanite army was much, much bigger than the Israelite army. Barak had 10,000 men, and Sisera was in command of over 300,000 men. Yet Deborah believed that God would be with their army and fight for them.
“Then Deborah said to Barak, “Go! This is the day the Lord has given Sisera into your hands. Has not the Lord gone ahead of you?”
Judges 4:14
Deborah’s faith strengthened Barak’s faith, giving him the courage to go into battle. Deborah also willingly agreed to accompany the commander and the army. Like Deborah, we need to put complete trust in God. There will be times when the odds seem against us, like nothing good could come out of a situation. But: God works in every situation. As I write this, Romans 8:28 comes to mind. I know I’ve experienced things that, in the moment, didn’t look good at all. But looking back on those things, I can see the ways God worked through those experiences.
She was a Leader
Judges tells us that Deborah was a prophetess and a leader in Israel. People came to her with their disagreements, and she dealt with them with wisdom and grace.
Now Deborah, a prophet, the wife of Lappidoth, was leading Israel at that time. She held court under the Palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites went up to her to have their disputes decided.
Judges 4:4-5
We may not have the opportunity to mediate disputes and lead like Deborah did, but we can still be leaders with our friends and acquaintances. Younger girls look up to you, and you can lead by example. I personally am not a natural leader, but there have been several times when I led a group or gave instructions. We can all lead, but your leadership will look different than mine. Deborah listened to people’s disagreements, and there may be times when your friends are arguing, and you can be the peacemaker. Deborah led wisely, and I challenge you to do so too.
She Praised God
After the war was over, Deborah sang a song of praise to God, found in Judges 5. She praises Him for delivering the Israelites from their enemies. Look at the huge size difference in the two armies. Without God, the Israelites would have faced a bitter defeat – again. However, because Deborah listened to God and trusted in His power, they had an amazing victory. After the battle was over, Deborah and Barak sang a song or praise.
On that day Deborah and Barak son of Abinoam sang this song…
Judges 5:1, 3
“Hear this, you kings! Listen, you rulers!
I, even I, will sing to the Lord;
I will praise the Lord, the God of Israel, in song.
All through the Bible, there are verses about praising God and giving Him the glory for everything. Deborah certainly did that. It’s important to praise God for the big things, but also for the little things. Do you have a nice bedroom to call your own? Are you able to spend time on activities you enjoy? Can you go outside and have fun with your siblings? Praise God for everything! Psalm 146:1-2 says, “Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord, my soul. I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.” Pray, sing, journal, however you like to express your praise and gratitude.
Go Live It
What are some ways you can practice leadership this week?
Are there any things in your life right now that you need to trust God in?
How can you remind yourself to praise God for the little things?
