Scripture References:
Judges 5:1-2, Judges 5:6-7, Judges 5:5, Judges 5:12-13
Name Meaning:
honeybee
Introduction:
Many people argue that women should be silent in church. They argue that women are to have no leadership roles at all or be limited only to teaching women and children. Yet the Bible gives us a great example of a woman that was used by God, a woman who had a huge role in the ruling of the nation of Israel. The story of Deborah is one we can all learn from.
Lesson:
We are introduced to Deborah in the Book of Judges. Israel is once again in trouble and in need of a judge and the Lord raises one up – one some of more traditional backgrounds have questioned. God raised up a woman as His choice for judging Israel, a prophetess that judged from beneath a palm-tree between Ramah and Bethel in Mount Ephraim (Judges 4:5).
Deborah was the only female judge mentioned in Scripture. She was not the only prophetess, though. There was no male judge aiding Israel at the same time as Deborah, nor was there another female judge at any other point during Israel’s history.
Many men argue that women are to be silent, to listen to their husbands, and to have no leadership roles other than teaching women and children. They are not to serve in a leadership role above men in any way or form.
Yet here we have a woman who sat as a judge of Israel. Not just a judge of one tribe, or a judge of the women only, but a judge of the entire nation of Israel! All people of Israel came to her to solve disputes, make decisions, and render judgements, including men. And they accepted her words. They listened and respected her, recognizing her as God’s chosen judge.
In English the term “judge” means to “render judicial decision.” However, the Hebrew word sopet means to “rule” or “exercise lordship.” She was a leader of Israel, and the people accepted her as such. How do we know? The people came TO her for judging. They sought her out and accepted her as a judge. (Judges 4:5)
Why do some churches today refuse to see that the people of God followed her as one appointed by God? Surely God could have found at least one righteous man during this time to serve as a judge if women were not to have any leadership roles. Yet even when Deborah called forth Barak to send her into battle as the Lord directed, he was reluctant and refused to go without her. He showed cowardice, begging her to go with him. He wanted her to accompany him to the battlefield, almost like a sort of lucky charm or talisman. It was for this reason that God delivered Sisera into a woman’s hand instead of into Barak’s hand.
Deborah was still able to perform the duties expected of her as a woman while leading. She was not told to turn over her ministry once she was married, nor was she told to be silent. Yet the Bible does not hide the fact that she was a wife. Judges 4:4 tell us she was the wife of Lappidoth. She served God yet was still married. Her authority came from God, not from her husband, but she still held on to tradition and had a husband. This did not change the fact that God spoke to her and through her to the people of Israel.
What is interesting to note was not only was Deborah a judge but also a prophetess. In fact, the Scriptures list prophetess first, wife next, and judge last. Judges 4:4 tells us her many roles – prophetess, wife, and judge. God used this woman to do His will and the fact that she WAS a woman did not hinder her responsibilities or the fact that the nation of Israel accepted her word as law. Yet she did not describe herself in leadership terms – she was humble about her position and led confidently and unwaveringly. She described herself as a mother, a term we use for one who nurtures and offers strength to others (Judges 5:7).
Being that she was a prophetess first, she heard directly from God. But she also had the Lord’s Word speaking to her as a judge. Judges 2:18 tells us, “Whenever the LORD raised up judges for them, the LORD was with the judge, and he delivered them from the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge; for the LORD would be moved to pity by their groaning because of those who persecuted and oppressed them.”
There is an important message to learn from the life of Deborah. We can see that God DOES use women in important roles. He does use women in leadership positions, whether there are righteous men to do the job or not. He DOES speak through women and to women all the time and the message is important to ALL people, male or female. All we must do is listen to Him and allow Him to use us.
Don’t let men hold you back if God has called you to be a leader. He uses the willing and He equips those He calls to serve. The fact that God HAS used women in the past and continues to use women today is evident. It cannot be denied. If you feel God has called you to ministry, listen to Him, be obedient, and do as He leads.
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