Following the death of Joshua (Israel’s leader), the nation of Israel was spiritually rejected by God due to disobedience. After being captured by the Canaanite’s , the opportunity for Deborah to emerge arose. Prior to being selected for service to her country she is referred to as a Prophetess and the wife of Lapidoth.
Her duties far exceeded her title. As a wife, she was responsible for attending to the needs of her household as well as the surrounding community.Additionally, she described herself as “a mother in Israel” (Judges 5:7). Deborah’s position was that of a counselor as she executed her leadership duties under a large palm tree near her home by discussing and suggesting solutions to people with problems. Seemingly the civil system was insufficient, the military was too weak to defends its borders, and the Priesthood was ineffective.
Deborah was informed of a pending attack the Israelites and summoned their military leader Barak to recruit an army to defend their people. After several attempts to persuade him, she reminded him of God’s promise to deliver their
enemies into their hands. Barak wavered insisting that Deborah accompany him to battle. Deborah complied, however, she reminder the reluctant warrior that when God delivered them the accolades would go to a woman instead of him. Deborah joined the campaign to raise an army, suggested and executed a strategy for victory and went to battle. God indeed spoke through Deborah and came to her aid with a violent thunderstorm, and the destruction of their chariot drawn Canaanite enemies. Deborah had compassion for her oppressed people and arose to make herself available, she was victorious as she trusted God and put her faith into an action pack war.
Her poetic song of praise is in Judges 5.
Prepared and submitted by
First Lady Evangelist Val Lawson
