Deborah / NKJV 365

 

Deborah

A Mother in Israel

The Bible doesn’t tell us much about Deborah other than to call her a prophetess, a highly esteemed judge of Israel, and the wife of Lapidoth. We don’t know if Scripture’s description of her as “a mother in Israel” (Judg. 5:7) means she had children or that she cared for Israel as only a loving mother could. Also, Scripture does not indicate why God chose her to become a judge. Certainly, this action seems strange given the fact that the culture was one generally ruled by men. However, God is not bound by tradition. He sees the hearts of the individuals who serve Him and is motivated to use them for His purposes.

Deborah loved the Lord and served Him faithfully. We do know the people trusted her, and that even the commander of the army, Barak, respected her leadership.

As we study the life of Deborah, we realize that it doesn’t take a certain set of credentials to become an effective servant of God. There is only one requirement—and that is a heart that is willing to be used by Him. The Lord uses the person who listens to Him and obeys Him. Deborah made herself available to God, and He gave her the ability to be victorious.

Taken from The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible

“Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time. She used to sit under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim; and the sons of Israel came up to her for judgment. Now she sent and summoned Barak the son of Abinoam from Kedesh-naphtali, and said to him, “Behold, the Lord, the God of Israel, has commanded, ‘Go and march to Mount Tabor, and take with you ten thousand men from the sons of Naphtali and from the sons of Zebulun. I will draw out to you Sisera, the commander of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his many troops to the river Kishon, and I will give him into your hand.’ ” Then Barak said to her, “If you will go with me, then I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go.” She said, “I will surely go with you; nevertheless, the honor shall not be yours on the journey that you are about to take, for the Lord will sell Sisera into the hands of a woman.” Then Deborah arose and went with Barak to Kedesh. Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali together to Kedesh, and ten thousand men went up with him; Deborah also went up with him.”

‭‭Judges‬ ‭4:4-10‬