Topical Bible: Judge: Deborah

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Deborah stands as one of the most remarkable figures in the Old Testament, serving as a prophetess and judge during a tumultuous period in Israel's history. Her account is primarily found in the Book of Judges, chapters 4 and 5, where she emerges as a leader who delivers Israel from oppression and guides them back to faithfulness to God.

Historical Context

Deborah's leadership occurs during the time of the Judges, a period characterized by a cyclical pattern of Israel's disobedience, oppression by foreign powers, cries for deliverance, and subsequent rescue by judges appointed by God. Deborah's tenure as judge is marked by the oppression of the Israelites by Jabin, the king of Canaan, whose military commander, Sisera, possessed a formidable army equipped with 900 iron chariots (Judges 4:3).

Role and Leadership

Deborah is introduced as a prophetess and the wife of Lappidoth, who held court under the Palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim (Judges 4:4-5). Her role as a judge involved settling disputes and providing guidance to the Israelites, indicating her respected position and wisdom.

Divine Commission and Military Strategy

Under divine inspiration, Deborah summons Barak, son of Abinoam, instructing him to lead an army of 10,000 men from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun to Mount Tabor. She conveys God's promise of victory over Sisera, stating, "I will draw out Sisera the commander of Jabin’s army, his chariots, and his troops to the Kishon River, and I will deliver him into your hand" (Judges 4:7).

Barak, however, insists on Deborah's presence in the battle, to which she agrees, but prophesies that the honor of victory will ultimately go to a woman (Judges 4:8-9). This prophecy is fulfilled when Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, kills Sisera by driving a tent peg through his temple while he sleeps in her tent (Judges 4:21).

The Song of Deborah

Following the victory, Deborah and Barak sing a song of triumph, recorded in Judges 5. This song is one of the oldest passages in the Bible and serves as both a celebration of God's deliverance and a call to faithfulness. It highlights the unity of the tribes of Israel, the bravery of the warriors, and the decisive intervention of God in the battle. The song also praises Jael's courageous act, further emphasizing the role of women in God's deliverance of Israel (Judges 5:24-27).

Legacy and Significance

Deborah's leadership is notable for her dual role as both a spiritual and military leader, a rare combination in the biblical narrative. Her account underscores the theme of God's sovereignty and the use of unexpected instruments to achieve His purposes. Deborah's faith, courage, and wisdom serve as an enduring example of godly leadership and obedience to divine calling. Her impact is summarized in the closing of her narrative: "And the land had rest for forty years" (Judges 5:31), signifying a period of peace and stability under her judgeship.

Nave's Topical Index

Judges 4:1
And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD, when Ehud was dead.
Nave's Topical Index

Judges 5:1
Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day, saying,
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Library

Though Many Other Widows came Near to Judith in virtue...
... Ambrose in believing that Deborah literally was a judge, as indeed seems conclusive
from the Scriptural account, but doubts whether she was a widow and mother ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter viii though many other.htm

The Judges.
... (3) What each judge accomplished against the enemy and what weapon he used ... (6) The
lessons of practical life illustrated by the stories of Jephthah and Deborah. ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter ix the judges.htm

Judges and Ruth.
... character of each judge. (4) From the story of Gideon and Sampson, point out New
Testament truths. (5) From the story of Jephthah and Deborah gather lessons ...
/.../the way of salvation in the lutheran church/chapter vii judges and ruth.htm

Judges
... by the stories that follow"the stories of Othniel, Ehud, Deborah and Barak ... the period
by twelve judges, Abimelech being apparently reckoned a judge, though he ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/judges.htm

Samson the Strong.
... It was very sad to see the strong judge of Israel, weak and blind, led by ... So died
Samson who judged Israel twenty years, yet a woman, Deborah, who was also one ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xv samson the strong.htm

The Treasure Cave
... "Name them and let me judge.". He hesitated for proper words and his cheeks
flushed. Deborah looked at him with comprehension in her gaze. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xx the treasure cave.htm

The Publication of the Gospel
... eighth verses are repeated, with little variation, from the Song of Deborah (Judges
5 ... consideration that multitudes of people are not qualified to judge of this ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xxx the publication of.htm

The Kingdom Conquering
... XI. Othniel, Ehud, Deborah, Gideon, Jephthah, Samson: the Six Deliverers. ... No Type.
No Prophecy. The work of each judge is analogous to the work of Christ. XIV. ...
/.../palmer/a birds-eye view of the bible/iii the kingdom conquering.htm

After the Death of Joshua, the People Acted Without a Leader. ...
... more serving idols, and exercised over them a grievous tyranny for twenty years,
until Deborah, a woman ... The Hebrews were forty years under this leader or judge. ...
/.../life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter xxiv after the death.htm

Songs of Deliverance
... It was that woman, the wife of Lapidoth, Deborah, who called out Barak, and went ...
of Christ, is charmed even by the severe aspect of God dressed as a judge. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 13 1867/songs of deliverance.htm