Deborah
is the only female leader mentioned in the book of Judges. Bearing in mind that
even in 2014, when we like to consider ourselves a liberal society, Britain has
still only ever had one female Prime Minister and America as never had a female
President, Deborah’s position is quite an accolade. We’re not told how or why
she ended up in that position, but it is abundantly clear that at that time
women were very much seen as the inferior sex, and it was almost unheard of
that one should rise above her station as housewife.
Despite the controversy it might cause
in this age of equality campaigns, it’s vital to note that the very fact that
Deborah was a judge speaks volumes. It would be lovely for this just to be a
usual occurrence, but we have to acknowledge that it wasn’t. These were
exceptional circumstances! In Isaiah God warned that a sign of His judgement on
Israel would be when ‘women rule over them’
(Isaiah 3:12; NIV), and so her appointment has been interpreted by some as a
reflection on the weak-willed men of the time.
Even Deborah herself recognises this
fact. When Barak is willing to go into battle only if Deborah accompanies him,
her response is ‘because of the course you are taking,
the honour will not be yours, for the Lord will deliver Sisera into the hands
of a woman’ (Judges 4:9). Her prophecy later comes to fruition in the
form of Jael – a woman – defeating Sisera.
Perhaps her election was to make an
example of the men, but to me the fact that God spoke through her indicates an
intense freeing of womankind, and a recognition that we don’t need the
restriction of a ‘proper place’ because wherever we are, and in whatever we do,
obedience to God is the only requirement. ‘A woman who
fears the Lord is to be praised’ (Proverbs 31:30; ESV). Not sent
packing. Not silenced. Praised.
Deborah was open to be an instrument for God, and was rewarded with the respect
of those who followed her.
‘God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will
help her when morning comes.’ Psalm46:5
Deborah was a remarkable woman. But,
rather than let power go to her head, she remained humble in the knowledge that
her strength came from her God alone. She knew that her bravery in battle, her
prophetic wisdom and her respect among the nation did not stem from her human
nature, and she acknowledged the real ruler at work: ‘the
Lord, the God of Israel, commands you’ (Judges 4:6; NIV). She is the
living representation of the true meaning of Philippians 4:13 (which is better
explained in this video): ‘I can do all things through
Christ who strengthens me.’ This doesn’t mean that because Christ is on
our side we can do anything and everything we choose, it means that what we can do is only ever done by His
strength, not our own. We still need to choose
our battles wisely.
‘She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness
is on her tongue.’ Proverbs 31:26
One of the most inspirational things
about Deborah is that she ruled as a
woman. That is, she retained her femininity even in battle, and rose up in
defence of her people in a way that only a mother can. She didn’t alter her
leadership style to compete with the lad culture or male domination around her.
She was a natural problem solver and counsellor, and gained respect as such – ‘the Israelites went up to her to have their disputes
settled’ (Judges 4:5; NIV).
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