Deborah A Biblical Example of a Strong Woman

Deborah was a brave and righteous woman, who served both her God and her county. Deborah is one of the few women in the Bible called a prophetess.

She lived in a time of great anxiety. Canaan had terrorized northern Israel for 20 years. Israelites could no longer walk the highways for fear of bandits. The women had to hide from the Canaanite soldiers. The men’s weapons had been confiscated. So, they had no way to defend themselves. The people were full of fear. (Judges Chapter 5) 

Many Israelites had ceased to worship Jehovah. They had turned to the gods of Canaan, whose worship included elaborate ceremonies and public displays of sexuality. These foreign gods were much more entertaining than the God of Israel with His restrictive ten commandments.

Deborah remained faithful to God despite the wickedness of her people. In fact, she was widely recognized as a woman, who heard and shared the word of God with those around her. 

Her wisdom in settling quarrels was legendary. Disputing parties from all around Israel would mutually agree to accept her judgment. She rendered her decisions beneath a palm tree in the land of Ephraim. Judges 4:4-5

One day the Lord told Deborah to travel to Naphtali and find Barak. If Barak would assemble an army of 10,000 men on top of Mount Tabor, the Lord would deliver the Canaanite army into his hands.

Barak had a hard time believing God could deliver the Canaanite army. He knew king Jabin of Canaan had hired General Sisera to train a vast army of mercenaries.  Jabin also had acquired 900 heavily armored iron chariots. 

Barak also wondered if he could gather 10,000 men, since the Israelites had very few weapons. Deborah assured him the Lord would help Barak fight this battle. God would draw Sisera to Barak and the victory would be his.

Barak wanted to believe Deborah. But the idea the Israelites could win was ridiculous.

Finally, Barak said to Deborah, “If you go with me, I will go, if not I will not go.” Deborah knew God could be trusted to do what He said. Therefore, she agreed to go, even though being a woman on the battlefield would be dangerous.

Barak felt Deborah’s presence was indispensable in gathering the 10,000 men the Lord said Barak needed. As it turned out, Deborah’s presence did inspired the men from Zebulon and Naphtali. It also brought volunteers from other tribes of Israel. Soon Barak had the army the Lord required.

Because Barak would not go without her, Deborah prophesied “However, there will be no glory for you in these victories. The Lord will sell Sisera into the hands of a woman.”

You may be wondering how that could happen. Keep reading.

 Barak’s men stood on the top of Mount Tabor, watching, waiting, trembling, and praying. The only weapons they had were a few swords that had been hidden away for 20 years. They were farmers and shepherds, not solders.

Sisera’s army was a massive well trained military force with 900 chariots. How could Israel even hope to defeat this Juggernaut? The idea they could win was complete foolishness. Yet, the Israelites stood firm. They put their trust in God.

Sisera seeing Barak’s troops on Mount Tabor confidently led his army down the valley. Suddenly the earth heaved and rolled. The sky turned black. Blinding sheets of rain swept down the valley. Lighting danced in the sky with iridescent savagery. The Israelites watched in awe as every element of nature erupted in wrathful fury. The small streams swelled. The Kidron River became a violent whirlpool. Soon 900 iron chariots were trapped in the mud. The soldiers abandoned their chariots. Many mercenaries were swept into the raging Kishon River and carried out to sea.

From Mount Tabor Deborah admonished Barak, “Go! This day the Lord has given Sisera into your hands. Has not the Lord gone ahead of you?” Barak rushed down the mountain with 10,000 men following him. They picked up abandon weapons and pursued the fleeing army.

When Heber first heard that Barak was gathering an army to Mount Tabor, he raced to inform Canaan’s General Sisera. Thus fulfilling Deborah’s prophecy that Sisera would be drawn to the battle.

 When Sisera was forced to abandon his chariot, he fled east on foot, hoping to take refuge in the tent of Heber.

 Most of his soldiers headed north into the wooded hills they had just left. Barak pursued the army until there was not a man left.

When Sisera arrived at Heber’s tent, Jael, Heber’s wife invited Sisera to lay down and rest. The exhausted Sisera quickly fell into a sound sleep. While Sisera slept, Jael pounded a tent stake through his temple, fastening him to the ground. Thus fulfilling Deborah’s prophecy that           

Sisera would be sold into the hands of a woman.

Barak Marched his victorious army right up to the gates of Hazor, the Capital city of Canaan. The Bible says, “The hand of the children of Israel prospered… Until they had destroyed Jabin, King of the Canaanites.”

We have archaeological evidence of the destruction of the mighty fortress at Hazor in this approximate time period. As well as another devastation about 150 years earlier, during the time of Joshua. This would substantiate the Bible story of Deborah.

The Bible’s account ends with the bible declaring “there was peace in the land for 40 years” (Judges 5:3)

the Battle in the Jezreel Valley probably changed history. With the massive army Sisera commanded, Canaan could have become a world power. Instead Canaan remains just a blip in the history of Palestine.

Deborah was so jubilant over the victory she composed a triumphant poem. (Judges chapter 5).  Deborah’s song focuses on God’s power to save. The Israelites could not have won without the Lord’s help. It also highlights the victory of two women, Jael and Deborah.

Like Deborah, we too live in a time of fear and unbelief. Deborah is a great example of how one woman can change the world when she puts her trust in the Lord.

Sometimes I think, “What can I do?” Yet, when I read about Deborah, I have hope that by sharing the gospel and listening to the spirit I can do good in a world full of fear and unbelief.

I hope you enjoyed this post about the prophetess, and how she trusted God.