A Woman After God's Own Heart

I used to host a show titled Women in the Word and one of the women I wanted to feature was Deborah. I never got around to it, but I want to look at this woman’s life today. She was incredible!

Her story is found in Judges 4–5 and is one of the most inspiring in the Bible regarding women in leadership.

As a prophetess, judge, and leader of Israel, she set an example of wisdom, courage, and faith. During a time of crisis, Deborah led her people back to God and helped secure victory over their enemies. Let’s take a more detailed look.

Deborah lived in a time of repeated cycles of sin and oppression in Israel. After Joshua’s death, the Israelites often turned away from God and were conquered by neighboring nations.

When King Jabin of Canaan oppressed Israel, Deborah was raised up by God to deliver them.

As a judge, she held court under a palm tree where the Israelites came to her for guidance. As a prophetess, she communicated God’s will. As a judge, she provided wisdom and solved disputes.

Her leadership was humble and based on her trust in God, which really set her apart in a male-dominated culture. Remember, this would have been centuries before Christ came as a human baby. In fact, according to my online search this morning the exact dates are not known, but it is generally placed during the period of judges, which would have been around the 12th century BC.

The thing that made Deborah stand out was the trust the people had in her; and not because of her gender, but because of her strong relationship with God! Honestly, I desire to have the sort of reputation! But let’s get to the meat of the story.

When God told Deborah He would deliver Israel from Jabin’s oppression, she called Barak, a military leader, and told him to gather an army. She knew what needed to be done! But, Barak said he would only go if Deborah went with him. This certainly showed his respect for Deborah’s spiritual authority. Perhaps it even shows a side of him that was unsure or lacked confidence.

Bottom line, Deborah agreed, but she also prophesied that the honor of defeating Sisera, Jabin’s commander, would go to a woman. (And it was not Deborah.)

Deborah was not a warrior, but she had faith in God’s promise and with that faith and trust, she led the way. Her courage inspired Barak and the troops to face Sisera’s army. Whose courage? Her courage.

Ladies, we need more courage in this world! If God be for us, who can stand against us??

The battle played out just as Deborah had prophesied. When Sisera’s forces gathered by the Kishon River, God sent a storm that made their chariots useless. Barak’s army defeated the Canaanites, and Sisera fled on foot.

Sisera sought refuge in the tent of Jael, who welcomed him, gave him milk, and covered him with a blanket. While he slept, Jael drove a tent peg through his temple, fulfilling Deborah’s prophecy that a woman would defeat Sisera.

This victory freed Israel from Canaanite oppression and brought forty years of peace. But what can we learn from her story; her life?

Deborah's life serves as a powerful reminder that God can use anyone, regardless of gender or status, to accomplish His purposes. Her wisdom, courage, and unwavering faith in God led Israel to victory and peace.

Through her, we learn that true leadership is built on a strong relationship with God and the courage to trust His promises, even in the face of uncertainty.

Deborah’s story encourages me to live with faith, courage, and gratitude, always remembering that with God is on my side, I can overcome any challenge.

By the way, afterward that battle, Deborah and Barak composed a song of praise, celebrating God’s power and the bravery of the people who fought! So, there is one more lesson we can glean from Deborah’s life: Praise and gratitude matter!

by Jeanette Stark – Monday, January 27, 2025