Who Was Deborah in The Bible?
Who was Deborah in the Bible? In the Bible, there are a number of women who played important roles. The most well known woman from the Old Testament is Eve, but Deborah’s story is one that deserves to be told as she was a prophetess and judge for Israel during a time when they had no king.
Deborah was a prophetess and judge of the nation of Israel in the Old Testament and married to Lappidoth (Judges 4:4). We often gloss past her and her significance as a woman God used in the Bible. We do this, perhaps, because we don’t understand the Biblical role of prophecy, and Deborah, among other things, was a prophetess. But a few months ago, a friend of mine posted a verse about Deborah on social media, and it has intrigued me ever since.
“The villagers ceased in Israel; they ceased to be until I arose; I, Deborah, arose as a mother in Israel” (Judges 5:7 ESV)
This verse really gave me pause. I can think of a time when village life has ceased, now that I (and the rest of the world) has gone through a worldwide pandemic. But the response, in the Bible, to these trying times, it seems, is the arising of Deborah as a mother over a nation.
Because we were made in God’s image, we know that God exhibits characteristics that are both male and female. We are all too familiar, perhaps, with the characteristics of God that are male, but what about his nurturing side, what about his “mama bear” side, and what about his side that is interested in vibrant community and family life? These are characteristics that I believe Deborah exhibited in response to the call of God to her in the times of trouble she was living in.
If you have ever wondered, What did Deborah do in the Bible? What was Deborah known for? or simply Who was Deborah in the Bible?, we will explore these questions further in today’s article.
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Who Was Deborah in The Bible?
So, who was Deborah in the Bible? Deborah was not just a mother to a nation, she was also a judge, and a prophetess. She is named one of seven female prophets in Jewish tradition. Her judgments made her a leader in Israel but her prophecies made her famous. When the Israelites were oppressed and the men were not securing a victory, it was Deborah’s prophecy that spurred the country to war, and secured Israel’s freedom.
Deborah was the fourth judge mentioned in the book of Judges and the only female judge mentioned in the Bible. The Bible tells us in Judges 4 that she would hold court under the Palm Tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel.
The children of Israel would come to her for judgement. This certainly speaks to how much the children of Israel trusted her judgement and fairness. She was also a military leader who led her people to victory over the Canaanites alongside Barak.
The Meaning of Deborah In The Bible
The name Deborah is derived from the Hebrew word “Devorah” meaning “bee”.
Characteristics of Deborah in the Bible
I want to take a moment and demonstrate the characteristics that Deborah has that can really give us encouragement for how we define motherhood during a pandemic world:
Motherhood isn’t necessarily defined by having children
Women unable to have children are often overlooked and unnoticed in our Christian communities. They are carrying a burden that many women in the Bible understood. But the characteristic of being a mother isn’t only defined by having children. Motherhood is often defined by the characteristic we bring to the community.
In Isaiah 54 God speaks directly to the barren woman and says that her “children” will inherit nations. Since this woman is clearly barren of natural children, this speaks to a discipleship of young men and women who will do great spiritual exploits. This is exactly what we see Deborah do as she positions the people of Israel around the prophetic word that it is time to go to war for freedom.
Get the Deborah Bible Study Pdf
Motherhood creates a skillset to bring life to communities and families
Again, we are not looking at natural motherhood in the life of Deborah, but spiritual motherhood. It is a spiritual motherhood that caused Deborah to arise as a judge over Israel, a role that usually went to men. In Judges 4, it says that Deborah sat under a palm tree bearing her name, and people would travel up the hill for her judgments.
As judge over Israel, Deborah was seeing first-hand the torment that the occupation of Israel was creating. In fact, it says in Judges 4:3, that the occupation of Jabin was “cruel.”
As judge, Deborah was producing the spiritual temperament of a mother, who was ascertaining between right and wrong. The Bible is clear that we do not judge each other for petty or jealous reasons, but we are to judge between what is right and what is wrong.
Spiritual motherhood forges an ability to see what is right and what is wrong in our communities, and families. It creates a safe space to explore places of improvement, and what needs to be done to drive out evil. The skill to “judge” what is eliminating life and abundance from our social gatherings, and begins to create opportunities for a needed change.
Deborah utilizes the word of the Lord to mobilize a community
Maybe you’ve never seen yourself as a prophetess, but the Bible is clear that prophecy is for the believer. “Pursue spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy” (I Cor. 14:1). It may be easier to see prophecy as “the word of the Lord” or a knowingness you have in your gut that God is calling you to something bigger.
It is by this word of the Lord that Deborah mobilizes the Israelite army into their own freedom. She connects the right people to institute change, and serves their roles with the support a mother gives.
Maybe you feel called to be a spiritual mother, and to bring change to your community? All around the nation I see spiritual mothers rising up, creating the opportunities for needed change.
Lord, give us the wisdom and the courage to operate like Deborah in these times. Show us how to mobilize our community and to bring life back into our nations. Amen.
Do Your Own Character Study of Deborah in The Bible
I love character Bible Studies! If you would like to do your own study of Deborah in the Bible, I have compiled this step by step guide on how to do an in-depth Character Bible Study.
Lessons From Deborah in the Bible
When I think of Deborah, I think of a courageous female leader that wasn’t afraid to step outside her comfort zone and answer God’s call. Often we question the call that God has given us because we feel ill-equipped. But here we see Deborah rising to the call and stepping out in faith.
Deborah’s story has much encouragement to offer us today, of what we can accomplish as females when we willingly allow God to use us and step into our calling.
Want to go deeper, check out the Deborah printable Bible Study.
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