Deborah-
Deborah-
Israel's Only
Female Judge
Profile of Deborah, Wise Woman of God
by Jack
Zavada
Deborah
was both a prophetess and ruler of the people of ancient Israel, the only woman
among the twelve judges.
She
held court under the Palm Tree of Deborah in the hill country of Ephraim,
deciding the people's disputes.
All
was not well, however.
The
Israelites had been disobeying God, so God allowed Jabin, a king of Canaan, to
oppress them.
Jabin's
general was named Sisera, and he intimidated the Hebrews with 900 iron chariots,
powerful tools of war that struck terror into the hearts of foot soldiers.
Deborah,
acting on guidance from God, sent for the warrior Barak, telling him the Lord
had commanded Barak to gather 10,000 men from the tribes of Zebulun and Napthtali
and lead them to Mount Tabor.
Deborah
promised to lure Sisera and his chariots into the Kishon Valley, where Barak
would defeat them.
Instead
of fully trusting God, Barak refused to go unless Deborah accompanied him to
inspire the troops. She gave in but prophesied that the credit for the victory
would go not to Barak but to a woman.
The
two armies clashed at the foot of Mount Tabor. The Lord sent rain and the River
Kishon swept away some of General Sisera's men.
His
heavy iron chariots got bogged down in mud, rendering them ineffective.
Barak
chased the retreating enemy to Harosheth Haggoyim, where the Jews slaughtered
them. Not a man of Jabin's army was left alive.
In
the confusion of the battle, Sisera had deserted his army and ran to the camp
of Heber the Kenite, near Kedesh.
Heber and King Jabin were allies. As Sisera staggered in,
Heber's wife, Jael, welcomed him into her tent.
The
exhausted Sisera asked for water, but instead Jael gave him curdled milk, a
drink that would make him drowsy.
Sisera
then asked Jael to stand guard at the tent's door and turn away any pursuers.
When
Sisera fell asleep, Jael sneaked in, carrying a long, sharp tent peg and a
hammer. She drove the peg through the general's temple into the ground, killing
him.
In
a while, Barak arrived. Jael took him into the tent and showed him the body of
Sisera.
After
the victory, Barak and Deborah sang a hymn of praise to God found in Judges 5,
called the Song of Deborah.
From
that point on, the Israelites grew stronger until they destroyed King Jabin.
Thanks
to Deborah's faith, the land enjoyed peace for 40 years.
Accomplishments
of Deborah:
Deborah served as a wise judge, obeying God's commands.
In a time of crisis, she trusted Jehovah and took steps to defeat King Jabin,
Israel's oppressor.
Strengths
of Deborah:
She followed God faithfully, acting with integrity in her
duties. Her boldness came from relying on God, not herself. In a male-dominated
culture, Deborah did not let her power go to her head but exercised authority
as God guided her.
Life
Lessons:
Your strength comes from the Lord, not yourself. Like
Deborah, you can have victory in life’s worst times if you cling tightly to
God.
Hometown:
In Canaan, possibly near Ramah and Bethel.
Referenced
in the Bible:
Judges 4 and 5.
Occupation:
Judge, prophetess.
Family
Tree:
Husband - Lappidoth
Key
Verses:
"Very well,"
Deborah said, "I will go with you. But because of the way you are going
about this, the honor will not be yours, for the LORD will hand Sisera over to
a woman." (Judges 4:9 NIV)
“So may all your
enemies perish, O LORD! But may they who love you be like the sun when it rises
in its strength." Then the land had peace forty years.” (Judges 5:31NIV)
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Be Strong and
Take Courage
Music and Lyrics by
Basil Chaisson
LYNN DESHAZO
Basil Chaisson
LYNN DESHAZO
CLICK HERE . . . to view complete playlist . . .
lyrics
Be strong and take
courage, Do not fear or be dismayed,
For the Lord will go
before you, And His light will show the way.Be strong and take courage, Do not fear or be dismayed,
For the One who lives within you Will be strong in you today..
Why don't you give
Him all of your fears,
Why don't you let Him wipe all of your tears;
He knows, He's been through pain before,
And He knows all that you've been looking for.
Why don't you let Him wipe all of your tears;
He knows, He's been through pain before,
And He knows all that you've been looking for.
So, be strong and
take courage, Do not fear or be dismayed,
For the One who lives
within you Will be strong in you today.Be strong and take courage, Do not fear or be dismayed,
For the One who lives within you Will be strong in you today..
Nothing can take you
out of His hand,
Nothing can face you you can't command,
I know that you will always be In His love,
In His power you will be free.
Nothing can face you you can't command,
I know that you will always be In His love,
In His power you will be free.
So, be strong and
take courage, Do not fear or be dismayed,
For the Lord will go
before you, And His light will show the way.
Be Strong and take courage, Do not fear or be dismayed,
For the One who lives within you Will be strong in you today.
Be Strong and take courage, Do not fear or be dismayed,
For the One who lives within you Will be strong in you today.
Be strong, Be
strong, Be strong, Be strong, God with us!
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