Deborah, “Mother of Israel,” Judge and Prophetess

“I, Deborah, arose as a mother in Israel.  When new gods were chosen, then war was in the gates.  Was shield or spear to be seen among forty thousand in Israel?  My heart goes out to the commanders of Israel who offered themselves willingly among the people.  Bless the Lord.” –Judges 5:7b-9 (ESV).

Deborah lived and led in the period of the Judges in Israel.  Following Joshua’s death, the tribes had the responsibility of conquering Canaan and settling there.  Instead of following God’s orders and ridding the land of the pagan people who worshiped idols, the Israelites began to mix and mingle, even to intermarry, with the people there.  As a result, Israel lapsed into apostasy and sin.  With lack of a central leader or king, judges ruled and tried both to keep the people together and to advise them on military maneuvers.  Of the twelve judges that led Israel, only one, Deborah, was a woman.  Her story unfolds in Judges 4 and 5

Deborah was from the tribe of Ephraim.  She held court at a place which came to be called “the palm tree of Deborah.”  Her palm tree seems to have been located in the southern portion of Ephraim, between Ramah and Bethel in the ‘hill country’ (see Judges 4:4-5).  There she heard cases and made decisions.  No details are given about the types of trials she held or the decisions she rendered.  But it was to her palm-tree court that she summoned Barak and asked him to form an army and go against the forces of Sisera in the Jezreel Valley.  Sisera was the leader of King Jabin’s army.  King Jabin ruled in Canaan.  Barak faced a formidable enemy, for we are told he had 900 chariots of iron.  Israel was oppressed by King Jabin and Commander Sisera for twenty years.  Barack agreed to her bidding, and soon put together an army of 10,000.  But he wanted Deborah to go with him into the battle and that she agreed to do, but told Barak in advance that a woman would then get credit for victory in battle.  Six of the twelve tribes of Israel came to the summons to form an Israelite army against Sisera’s forces Deborah gave the command to charge, stating with much confidence that “The Lord has given Sisera into your hand.  Does not the Lord go out before you?” (Judges 4:9).  The Israelites were victorious in the battle.  To save himself, Sisera fled the battlefield and came upon the tent of Heber the Kenite.  Heber’s wife Jael was home and she gave Sisera milk and covered him with a blanket.  While he slept his exhausted sleep, Jael killed him by driving a tent peg through his head. 

The victory song of Deborah and Barak is recorded in Judges 5.  Scholars believe Deborah herself composed the song.  It praises God for the victory, and tells in poetic language how God assisted the army of Israel to defeat the Canaanites led by Sisera.  These triumphant lines declare the victory and God’s sovereignty: “From heaven the stars fought, from their courses they fought against Sisera.  The torrent Kishon swept them away, the ancient torrent, the torrent Kishon.  March on, my soul, with might!” (Judges 5:20-21).

At a time when Israel was oppressed and defeated and had gone again into sin, God raised up a strong judge, Deborah.  For twenty years the Israelites were subdued by King Jabin of Canaan.  But in a brave effort, and with direction and leadership from God, Deborah, with Barak’s cooperation, led the people to break the bondage of the Canaanites and be victorious in battle.  Then for forty years there was peace in Israel.  What God can do through godly leaders is the message we gain from the account of Deborah’s service.  Sometimes God raises up the most unlikely of leaders. Deborah is an example to us of one who obeyed God and served her people well.  She exercised strong faith and determined effort at a time when the people needed a positive leader.  She ends her song by praying: “May all your enemies perish, O Lord!  But your friends be like the sun as he rises in his might.” (Judges 5:31).