Deborah~Judges 4

The Song of Deborah

Donna Smallenberg

The Lord raises up strong women, when men will not or cannot lead. In this case, Deborah, a wise woman and prophetess, was key in relieving Israel from a terrible oppressor Judges 4. In verses 6 and 7 the Lord commanded Barak through Deborah to take a force of men to a certain location so that the Lord could help Israel defeat the oppressors. Although Barak trusted Deborah's judgement, wisdom, and gift of prophecy, he was not keen on the idea of doing the job alone or his ability to pull it off. He begged her to go along. Like a true friend, Deborah encouraged Barak to obey the Lord by agreeing to go with hime. Although she tried to point out that she would get credit for the victory instead of Barak, he needed her support for some reason.

So why was Israel so lacking in leadership at this time that a woman needed to put aside her homemaking and nurturing duties to become a prophetess? It was because the priesthood covenant had been broken. "And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the Lord, when Ehud was dead" Judges 4:1.

Deborah wasn't an official leader but a woman with a spiritual gift (see Revelations 19:10.) Like most women, she took that gift and magnified it.

"No special ordination in the priesthood is essential to man's receiving the gift of prophecy; bearers of the Melchizedek priesthood, Adam, Noah, Moses, and a multitude of others were prophets, but not more truly so than others who were specifically called to the Arronic order, as exemplified in the instance of John the Baptist. The ministrations of Miriam and Deborah show that this gift may be possessed by a woman also." (Smith, Answers to Gospel Questions, 3:66.)

What then are we supposed to learn from Deborah's story? Trust in the Lord. Serve our fellow men. Be a true friend. Be courageous. Seek wisdom and share God's wisdom. All these are good lessons, but the lesson I'm taking away from this study today is go and do what the Lord commands; He will provide a way.