“Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, was judging Israel at that time.” Judges 4:4 (NKJV)
This verse is powerful. A woman who was a prophetess and a judge at a time when Israel was doing evil in God’s eyes (Judges 4:1). Remember that the culture wasn’t exactly favorable toward women in those days. God was talking with Deborah and telling her things to share with the leaders of Israel. Not only that, but the people would come to her as she sat beneath a palm tree and ask her to help them settle disputes (which is what judges did in those days). She is the only female judge mentioned in the Bible.
God told Deborah to send for Barak and to remind him that God had given him a mission – to gather the army and go after Sisera – and that God would be with him and deliver Sisera to him (Judges 4:6-7). Barak did come to Deborah, but was rather wimpy about it. Only if Deborah would go with him would he do what God had told him to do.
Her reply: “So she said, “I will surely go with you; nevertheless there will be no glory for you in the journey you are taking, for the LORD will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.” Then Deborah arose and went with Barak to Kedesh.” (Judges 4:9 NKJV)
What can I learn from this part of Deborah’s story? Deborah was faithful and obedient to God; however, Barak wasn’t faithful or obedient. God wants our willing obedience. If we don’t, He will still accomplish His purposes, but someone else will do it if we don’t. It may be someone we think is inferior to ourselves too. There’s nothing as shameful as having someone we think less of to accomplish what we should have done.
Listen to Forever Be Sure as they sing “This Is the Will of God.”
Published on MyBibleRoom.com 1/27/25, 6:00 am