DEBORAH – Israel’s Holy Lady
Judges 4, 5
Judges 4, 5
Copyright 1999 by John L. Kachelman, Jr. may be reproducted for non-commercial purposes at no cost to others.
1. Deborah is one of the heroic women of history. She was one of the most talented women of the Bible – a wife, mother, prophetess, judge, poetess, singer, and political leader. Her life is a wonderful illustration of the power that womanhood has to influence society for good. The great influence that Deborah possessed is evident in the fact that all Israel came to her for counsel and judgment.
2. The life of Deborah is recorded in Judges 4-5. Chapter 4 contains the prose narrative and chapter 5 contains the story in poetry. From these accounts we discover the following facts about Deborah’s life: a. She was married (4:4). Lappidoth was her husband. Here is an interesting point to ponder. We would never know of Lappidoth if not for his wife! This is the case today. Many men are honored and respected only because their wives are holy.
b. She possessed talents (4:4,5).
c. She had a great faith (4:4,6,14; 5:13).
d. She is the only woman Judge (4:4). Deborah is the only woman who served God as an official of the State government. Other women served as Queen but they had usurped the role.
e. She was well respected (4:5). When she asked Barak, a general from Naphtali, to come to her (4:6,14), he did not hesitate.
f. She confronted wrongs (4:5; 5:14b-17, 23).
g. She took action to help others (4:9).
h. She was a prophetess. Only two other women in the Old Testament share this honored designation (Miriam,
Exodus 15:20 And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.;
Huldah, 2 Kings 22:14 So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went unto Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college;) and they communed with her.
2 Kings 22:15 And she said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Tell the man that sent you to me,
2 Kings 22:16 Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, and upon the inhabitants thereof, even all the words of the book which the king of Judah hath read:
2 Kings 22:17 Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be kindled against this place, and shall not be quenched.
2 Kings 22:18 But to the king of Judah which sent you to enquire of the LORD, thus shall ye say to him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, As touching the words which thou hast heard;
2 Kings 22:19 Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the LORD, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard thee, saith the LORD.
2 Kings 22:20 Behold therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace; and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place. And they brought the king word again.).
3. Deborah lived in a period of Israel’s history that was tragic. Spirituality was at a low point. The standard of behavior was anarchy. During her time the nation was oppressed by Canaanite rulers (4:1-3). “Oppressed” is the same word used to describe Israeli bondage in Egypt ( Exodus 3:9 Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them.). The oppression of Israel was directly associated with the spiritual decay that had corrupted that nation. Consider some of the causes for Israel’s spiritual decline:
a. It had failed to give honor to God (Psalms 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.).
b. It had failed to separate herself from evil associations ( 1 Corinthians 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.).
c. It had failed to obey God’s rules for life ( Judges 17:6 In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes. Judges 21:25 In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.). It could not distinguish between right and wrong.
NOTE: In such a tragic time, God used a woman to bring the erring nation back to the right way! Women have the power to correct and restore spirituality or they have the power to propel further deterioration.
4. Deborah was a godly woman whose leadership abilities would restore Israel’s security. Look at the following leadership qualities she possessed and discuss how each could help the lady accomplish her task.
a. She was a woman of wisdom.
People came to get her advice from distant places. She was recognized as one who possessed sound judgment and level thinking. She could offer counsel that guided the erring nation back toward faithful obedience. How did she gain this “wisdom” ( Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction). Our modern society needs women like Deborah who will arise and call for people to restore their loyalties to God’s directions!
b. She possessed a keen sense of discernment.
She looked at Israel’s predicament and knew the nation had erred from God’s will. She did not excuse or rationalize the errors. She had witnessed the decay of morals and the disregard toward God’s commands. She was a mother and homemaker, but she saw the urgency of calling the nation back to God. She could look at the situation and recognize what was God’s will and what was Self’s will.
c. She believed in the God of heaven.
Her strength and courage was founded upon God’s power ((cf Josh 1:7ff I did not know what the cf at the front and the ff at the end ment here so I just looked at Josh 1:7) Joshua 1:7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.).
d. She had courage to follow God’s commands.
It was Deborah’s courage that enabled Barak to defeat the enemies. Had she been reluctant to follow God’s will, the nation would have remained oppressed. Had she not been the example of trust and full obedience, then Israel would not have found blessings. Often in the church’s history, the women kept the congregation faithful or that have led the congregation away from God’s directions!
e. She properly used her tongue.
Deborah used her tongue to speak God’s commands to those who needed encouragement to free themselves from oppression (4:6). She used cheerful, positive words of victory when God’s people faced enemies (4:14). Her words were wisely selected and people traveled far to hear her speak (4:5). Women today can imitate Deborah’s speech! How often have you seen a woman totally destroy her effectiveness as a leader because she failed to use her tongue properly?
( 1 Timothy 3:11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. 1 Timothy 5:11 But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;
1 Timothy 5:12 Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.
1 Timothy 5:13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.). Because of the way Deborah used her tongue, she lifted the spirits of those who needed to be faithful to God.
f. She had wonderful influence.
Here is the most effective way women “lead” in the Lord’s church. Deborah’s life was lived in such a way that she earned respect from everyone (4:4,5). Her influence led to a “strengthening” of others (4:24a). She was a source of strength to all who came to her. The influence of this godly lady made a significant difference – all became better because Israel restored her faith in God’s will!
g. She demonstrated wonderful attitudes.
She possessed an unwavering commitment to do God’s will (4:9). She was willing to do whatever was necessary to strengthen and encourage others to become active (4:8-9). She was aware that her efforts would actually “help” the Lord (5:23b). She demonstrated a love for God that was stronger than her love for others (5:31).
h. She was a source for “peace.”
Because of this godly lady, peace resulted! Because of her presence, peace existed in the land. How wonderful to see women today who imitate Deborah and urge all to obey God so there will be peace ( Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.). How tragic to see congregations torn asunder and peace and harmony ruined by discord because certain women fail to imitate Deborah! The one blemish on the Philippian congregation was the disruption caused by two women ( Philippians 4:2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.).
I. She was active in God’s service.
Deborah was effective because she was active. Women can never become the kind of leader that Deborah was until they become active in the Lord’s church.
5. The practical lessons from Deborah’s life emphasize the critical role that women have in the Lord’s Church today.
a. God’s Cause needs women! (5:6-7a).
Women are vital to the existence of the Lord’s Church; to the faithfulness of the Lord’s Church; to the spread of the Lord’s Church; to the peace and harmony of the local church. Far too many women have not practiced their leadership role in the church. Congregations who have women that are active, willing, and harmonious are congregations that are growing and accomplishing great things for God!
b. God’s Cause needs women to overcome crisis! (4:14b).
When the situation appeared hopeless, a woman arose and encouraged the men to overcome. Had Deborah not arisen then Israel would have never found victory. Women have the power to speak encouraging words to male leaders and to stimulate victory! When congregations face crises, the leaders need the women to speak encouragingly to them so they will remain dedicated to God’s will. Whenever a congregation is caught in a crisis, the women can either help it overcome by encouraging the men to stick to God’s Word, or hasten the destruction by criticizing and gossiping.
c. God’s Cause needs women to offer service! (5:7b, 9).
Women must be involved in the local congregation because their efforts actually “help” the Lord! (5:23b).
JUDGES 4
1] And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD, when Ehud was dead.
[2] And the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, that reigned in Hazor; the captain of whose host was Sisera, which dwelt in Harosheth of the Gentiles.
[3] And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD: for he had nine hundred chariots of iron; and twenty years he mightily oppressed the children of Israel.
[4] And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.
[5] And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.
[6] And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedesh-naphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the LORD God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun?
[7] And I will draw unto thee to the river Kishon Sisera, the captain of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into thine hand.
[8] 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.
[9] And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh.
[10] And Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh; and he went up with ten thousand men at his feet: and Deborah went up with him.
[11] Now Heber the Kenite, which was of the children of Hobab the father in law of Moses, had severed himself from the Kenites, and pitched his tent unto the plain of Zaanaim, which is by Kedesh.
[12] And they shewed Sisera that Barak the son of Abinoam was gone up to mount Tabor.
[13] And Sisera gathered together all his chariots, even nine hundred chariots of iron, and all the people that were with him, from Harosheth of the Gentiles unto the river of Kishon.
[14] 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.
[15] And the LORD discomfited Sisera, and all his chariots, and all his host, with the edge of the sword before Barak; so that Sisera lighted down off his chariot, and fled away on his feet.
[16] But Barak pursued after the chariots, and after the host, unto Harosheth of the Gentiles: and all the host of Sisera fell upon the edge of the sword; and there was not a man left.
[17] Howbeit Sisera fled away on his feet to the tent of Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite: for there was peace between Jabin the king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite.
[18] And Jael went out to meet Sisera, and said unto him, Turn in, my lord, turn in to me; fear not. And when he had turned in unto her into the tent, she covered him with a mantle.
[19] And he said unto her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water to drink; for I am thirsty. And she opened a bottle of milk, and gave him drink, and covered him.
[20] Again he said unto her, Stand in the door of the tent, and it shall be, when any man doth come and inquire of thee, and say, Is there any man here? that thou shalt say, No.
[21] Then Jael Heber's wife took a nail of the tent, and took an hammer in her hand, and went softly unto him, and smote the nail into his temples, and fastened it into the ground: for he was fast asleep and weary. So he died.
[22] And, behold, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out to meet him, and said unto him, Come, and I will shew thee the man whom thou seekest. And when he came into her tent, behold, Sisera lay dead, and the nail was in his temples.
[23] So God subdued on that day Jabin the king of Canaan before the children of Israel.
[24] And the hand of the children of Israel prospered, and prevailed against Jabin the king of Canaan, until they had destroyed Jabin king of Canaan.
[2] And the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, that reigned in Hazor; the captain of whose host was Sisera, which dwelt in Harosheth of the Gentiles.
[3] And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD: for he had nine hundred chariots of iron; and twenty years he mightily oppressed the children of Israel.
[4] And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.
[5] And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.
[6] And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedesh-naphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the LORD God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun?
[7] And I will draw unto thee to the river Kishon Sisera, the captain of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into thine hand.
[8] 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.
[9] And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh.
[10] And Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh; and he went up with ten thousand men at his feet: and Deborah went up with him.
[11] Now Heber the Kenite, which was of the children of Hobab the father in law of Moses, had severed himself from the Kenites, and pitched his tent unto the plain of Zaanaim, which is by Kedesh.
[12] And they shewed Sisera that Barak the son of Abinoam was gone up to mount Tabor.
[13] And Sisera gathered together all his chariots, even nine hundred chariots of iron, and all the people that were with him, from Harosheth of the Gentiles unto the river of Kishon.
[14] 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.
[15] And the LORD discomfited Sisera, and all his chariots, and all his host, with the edge of the sword before Barak; so that Sisera lighted down off his chariot, and fled away on his feet.
[16] But Barak pursued after the chariots, and after the host, unto Harosheth of the Gentiles: and all the host of Sisera fell upon the edge of the sword; and there was not a man left.
[17] Howbeit Sisera fled away on his feet to the tent of Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite: for there was peace between Jabin the king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite.
[18] And Jael went out to meet Sisera, and said unto him, Turn in, my lord, turn in to me; fear not. And when he had turned in unto her into the tent, she covered him with a mantle.
[19] And he said unto her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water to drink; for I am thirsty. And she opened a bottle of milk, and gave him drink, and covered him.
[20] Again he said unto her, Stand in the door of the tent, and it shall be, when any man doth come and inquire of thee, and say, Is there any man here? that thou shalt say, No.
[21] Then Jael Heber's wife took a nail of the tent, and took an hammer in her hand, and went softly unto him, and smote the nail into his temples, and fastened it into the ground: for he was fast asleep and weary. So he died.
[22] And, behold, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out to meet him, and said unto him, Come, and I will shew thee the man whom thou seekest. And when he came into her tent, behold, Sisera lay dead, and the nail was in his temples.
[23] So God subdued on that day Jabin the king of Canaan before the children of Israel.
[24] And the hand of the children of Israel prospered, and prevailed against Jabin the king of Canaan, until they had destroyed Jabin king of Canaan.
Judg.5
[1] Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day, saying,
[2] Praise ye the LORD for the avenging of Israel, when the people willingly offered themselves.
[3] Hear, O ye kings; give ear, O ye princes; I, even I, will sing unto the LORD; I will sing praise to the LORD God of Israel.
[4] LORD, when thou wentest out of Seir, when thou marchedst out of the field of Edom, the earth trembled, and the heavens dropped, the clouds also dropped water.
[5] The mountains melted from before the LORD, even that Sinai from before the LORD God of Israel.
[6] In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were unoccupied, and the travellers walked through byways.
[7] The inhabitants of the villages ceased, they ceased in Israel, until that I Deborah arose, that I arose a mother in Israel.
[8] They chose new gods; then was war in the gates: was there a shield or spear seen among forty thousand in Israel?
[9] My heart is toward the governors of Israel, that offered themselves willingly among the people. Bless ye the LORD.
[10] Speak, ye that ride on white asses, ye that sit in judgment, and walk by the way.
[11] They that are delivered from the noise of archers in the places of drawing water, there shall they rehearse the righteous acts of the LORD, even the righteous acts toward the inhabitants of his villages in Israel: then shall the people of the LORD go down to the gates.
[12] Awake, awake, Deborah: awake, awake, utter a song: arise, Barak, and lead thy captivity captive, thou son of Abinoam.
[13] Then he made him that remaineth have dominion over the nobles among the people: the LORD made me have dominion over the mighty.
[14] Out of Ephraim was there a root of them against Amalek; after thee, Benjamin, among thy people; out of Machir came down governors, and out of Zebulun they that handle the pen of the writer.
[15] And the princes of Issachar were with Deborah; even Issachar, and also Barak: he was sent on foot into the valley. For the divisions of Reuben there were great thoughts of heart.
[16] Why abodest thou among the sheepfolds, to hear the bleatings of the flocks? For the divisions of Reuben there were great searchings of heart.
[17] Gilead abode beyond Jordan: and why did Dan remain in ships? Asher continued on the sea shore, and abode in his breaches.
[18] Zebulun and Naphtali were a people that jeoparded their lives unto the death in the high places of the field.
[19] The kings came and fought, then fought the kings of Canaan in Taanach by the waters of Megiddo; they took no gain of money.
[20] They fought from heaven; the stars in their courses fought against Sisera.
[21] The river of Kishon swept them away, that ancient river, the river Kishon. O my soul, thou hast trodden down strength.
[22] Then were the horsehoofs broken by the means of the pransings, the pransings of their mighty ones.
[23] Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of the LORD, curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof; because they came not to the help of the LORD, to the help of the LORD against the mighty.
[24] Blessed above women shall Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite be, blessed shall she be above women in the tent.
[25] He asked water, and she gave him milk; she brought forth butter in a lordly dish.
[26] She put her hand to the nail, and her right hand to the workmen's hammer; and with the hammer she smote Sisera, she smote off his head, when she had pierced and stricken through his temples.
[27] At her feet he bowed, he fell, he lay down: at her feet he bowed, he fell: where he bowed, there he fell down dead.
[28] The mother of Sisera looked out at a window, and cried through the lattice, Why is his chariot so long in coming? why tarry the wheels of his chariots?
[29] Her wise ladies answered her, yea, she returned answer to herself,
[30] Have they not sped? have they not divided the prey; to every man a damsel or two; to Sisera a prey of divers colours, a prey of divers colours of needlework, of divers colours of needlework on both sides, meet for the necks of them that take the spoil?
[31] 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.
[2] Praise ye the LORD for the avenging of Israel, when the people willingly offered themselves.
[3] Hear, O ye kings; give ear, O ye princes; I, even I, will sing unto the LORD; I will sing praise to the LORD God of Israel.
[4] LORD, when thou wentest out of Seir, when thou marchedst out of the field of Edom, the earth trembled, and the heavens dropped, the clouds also dropped water.
[5] The mountains melted from before the LORD, even that Sinai from before the LORD God of Israel.
[6] In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were unoccupied, and the travellers walked through byways.
[7] The inhabitants of the villages ceased, they ceased in Israel, until that I Deborah arose, that I arose a mother in Israel.
[8] They chose new gods; then was war in the gates: was there a shield or spear seen among forty thousand in Israel?
[9] My heart is toward the governors of Israel, that offered themselves willingly among the people. Bless ye the LORD.
[10] Speak, ye that ride on white asses, ye that sit in judgment, and walk by the way.
[11] They that are delivered from the noise of archers in the places of drawing water, there shall they rehearse the righteous acts of the LORD, even the righteous acts toward the inhabitants of his villages in Israel: then shall the people of the LORD go down to the gates.
[12] Awake, awake, Deborah: awake, awake, utter a song: arise, Barak, and lead thy captivity captive, thou son of Abinoam.
[13] Then he made him that remaineth have dominion over the nobles among the people: the LORD made me have dominion over the mighty.
[14] Out of Ephraim was there a root of them against Amalek; after thee, Benjamin, among thy people; out of Machir came down governors, and out of Zebulun they that handle the pen of the writer.
[15] And the princes of Issachar were with Deborah; even Issachar, and also Barak: he was sent on foot into the valley. For the divisions of Reuben there were great thoughts of heart.
[16] Why abodest thou among the sheepfolds, to hear the bleatings of the flocks? For the divisions of Reuben there were great searchings of heart.
[17] Gilead abode beyond Jordan: and why did Dan remain in ships? Asher continued on the sea shore, and abode in his breaches.
[18] Zebulun and Naphtali were a people that jeoparded their lives unto the death in the high places of the field.
[19] The kings came and fought, then fought the kings of Canaan in Taanach by the waters of Megiddo; they took no gain of money.
[20] They fought from heaven; the stars in their courses fought against Sisera.
[21] The river of Kishon swept them away, that ancient river, the river Kishon. O my soul, thou hast trodden down strength.
[22] Then were the horsehoofs broken by the means of the pransings, the pransings of their mighty ones.
[23] Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of the LORD, curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof; because they came not to the help of the LORD, to the help of the LORD against the mighty.
[24] Blessed above women shall Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite be, blessed shall she be above women in the tent.
[25] He asked water, and she gave him milk; she brought forth butter in a lordly dish.
[26] She put her hand to the nail, and her right hand to the workmen's hammer; and with the hammer she smote Sisera, she smote off his head, when she had pierced and stricken through his temples.
[27] At her feet he bowed, he fell, he lay down: at her feet he bowed, he fell: where he bowed, there he fell down dead.
[28] The mother of Sisera looked out at a window, and cried through the lattice, Why is his chariot so long in coming? why tarry the wheels of his chariots?
[29] Her wise ladies answered her, yea, she returned answer to herself,
[30] Have they not sped? have they not divided the prey; to every man a damsel or two; to Sisera a prey of divers colours, a prey of divers colours of needlework, of divers colours of needlework on both sides, meet for the necks of them that take the spoil?
[31] 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.
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