There is no denying that most of the Israelites' leaders throughout Old Testament history were men. However, there is also no denying that most of them were not necessarily good role models. During the time between Joshua (a picture of Christ) and Jesus himself, many of the judges, prophets, priests, and kings were wicked, selfish, and idolatrous.
Although we do not know too much about all of the “judges” in the Book of Judges who led the Israelites before they coronated their first king (Saul), we know enough about some of them (such as Gideon and Samson) to know that Israel needed better leadership. This also reminds us of our desperate need for a savior.
Then by the time you turn to the fourth chapter of Judges, God’s people were full of disobedience, idolatry, and apostasy. The Bible explains that “the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the LORD” (4:1). Therefore, God sold them into the oppressive hands of their cruel enemies for twenty years until the day that “the people of Israel cried out to the LORD for help” (4:3).
In response to their cries, God faithfully calls a prophetess and judge named Deborah to lead his people to victory over their enemies. Deborah was the fourth person to judge God’s people after Joshua died. She is introduced in the Bible like this:
“Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time. She used to sit under the palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the people of Israel came up to her for judgment. She sent and summoned Barak the son of Abinoam from Kedesh-naphtali and said to him, “Has not the LORD, the God of Israel, commanded you, ‘Go, gather your men [for battle]…” (4–6, ESV)
Deborah distinguished herself as the most godly judge in the midst of other more well-known names that sometimes get presented as “heroes” of the Bible, such as Samson and Gideon. Even though she may not appear in many children’s Bibles, VBS lessons, or Sunday sermons, Deborah was a faithful prophet of God and a mother figure for the people of Israel.
While being a woman judge was unique, she was far from the only female leader or prophet for Israel. Flipping through the pages of Old Testament history, just like there were unfaithful male leaders, there were also unfaithful female leaders.
We do not know why she is the only recorded female judge. But the better question is why there were so many horrible, ungodly men judges.
Deborah’s life and character in Judges 4-5 teach us some valuable lessons. Here are four of Deborah’s traits that we can learn from:
1. Deborah was Faithful.
One of Deborah's most important traits was her faithfulness to God and to her followers. Ever since God's followers began hearing or reading her story, people have noticed her faithfulness.
In the same way, when we live a faithful life, other people will notice even when we do not realize it. God certainly sees and rewards our faithfulness; our followers see our faithfulness and all the people who watch our lives now and who will come after we see our faithfulness and be blessed.
2. Deborah Exercised Great Wisdom.
Deborah was a woman of great wisdom. Her people benefited from the words and instructions she gave them when they “came up to her for judgment” (4:5). But that is only because her wisdom came from God.
In the same way, our opinions, thoughts, and feelings about life and other peoples’ problems need to come from Scripture and the Holy Spirit. If not, we will lead people to ourselves and not God. We must lead people to the truth of God’s Word if we want to make a lasting difference.
3. Reputation Preceded Deborah.
In the song that she and Barak sang in chapter five, we discover that Deborah was known as a “mother” figure for Israel for how she led and counseled (5:7). She was a trusted leader with a great reputation because of her faithfulness and wisdom that others could see in her words, actions, and attitudes.
For us today, our reputation is one of the most important parts of us. Our integrity is who we really are and our reputation is how others perceive us. A good reputation is never built overnight (it often takes years). However, a good reputation can be destroyed overnight.
4. Deborah Demonstrated Willingness.
We cannot be sure of how difficult it was for Deborah, a woman, to take the position of judge and prophetess for her people. We do know that she at least recognized the tension that one of her leaders, Barak, faced when he asked her to go into battle with him. She explained in chapter four, verse nine: “The road on which you are going will not lead to your glory, for the LORD will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.”
It must have been equally or more difficult to be a godly woman at the time she lived and led. Nevertheless, despite the difficulties, she did it! She did not just tell Barak what to do; she went with him (4:9) and encouraged him to be bold in the face of danger (4:14). Deborah was willing and bold. After their victory, she even helped lead everyone in singing a long song in Judges 5!
For us today, the most important ability we can have is availability. If we are not willing to do what is necessary and important, then we will not make the kind of difference that God wants us to make.
Deborah was a consistent, good, and strong example for her people. She led her people to God and not away from God. And because of her great leadership (especially compared to some of the other leaders in the Old Testament), we read that “the land had rest for forty years” (5:31)
All of us — men and women alike — have much to learn from Deborah. Let’s seek God’s help to be faithful, wise, reputable, and willing.
Photo Credit: Image created using AI technology and subsequently edited and reviewed by our editorial team.
