DEBORAH'S DELIVERANCE

The time of the judges was a period when the Israelites went about doing what was right in their own eyes, then crying unto the Lord because of the oppression they were experiencing wanting deliverance. "Nevertheless the LORD raised up judges, which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them" (Jud. 2:16). There were a total of 15 judges. One of those judges was a woman and her name was Deborah.

DEBORAH THE WOMAN

Deborah was a prophetess. A prophetess is a female prophet; a woman who foretells future events. Deborah was the wife of Lapidoth. Deborah was a judge appointed by God. Deborah was a mother.

DEBORAH'S DUTY

Deborah "dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Beth-el in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment" (Jud. 4:5). As a judge, Deborah was to "and when the LORD raised them up judges, then the LORD was with the judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge: for it repented the LORD because of their groaninngs by reason of them that oppressed them and vexed them" (Jud. 2:18).

DEBORAH'S COURAGE

Deborah went to battle with Barak because he did not have the courage to go without her. "And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go. And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kadesh" (Jud. 4:8-9). Deborah's courage came from her faith in God. Deborah had the courage to do as instructed by God.

DEBORAH PRAISES GOD

"Hear, O ye kings, give ear, O ye princes; I, evn I, will sing unto the LORD; I will sing praise to the LORD God of Israel" (Jud. 4:3). Deborah could have taken all the glory herself but instead she praises God and gives Him the glory.

CONCLUSION

God can use women to further His will no matter what their occupation. Deborah was a wife and mother. Women today are wives, mothers, grandmothers, nieces, aunts, business women, and many other occupations. Women can use their occupation to help further God's will by speaking to those they meet. Deborah had courage to further God's will by trusting God. We need to have courage to further God's will by trusting God as well. As women, we have a great influence in the future of the world. It has been said, "The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world." This is such a true statement. Sometimes women have to do things because there are no men to do them. We need to be teaching the younger generations so there are men to do the work that God has laid out for them.