Now Deborah, a prophet, the wife of Lappidoth, was leading[a] Israel at that time. 5 She held court under the Palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites went up to her to have their disputes decided.
What we see in Deborah’s story is a great example of leadership. Wise leaders are rare. They accomplish great amounts of work without direct involvement because they know how to work through other people. They are able to see the big picture that often escapes those directly involved, so they make good mediators, advisors, and planners. Deborah fits this description perfectly. She had all these leadership skills and she had a remarkable relationship with the Lord. The insight and confidence God gave this woman placed her in a unique position in the history of God’s people. Deborah is among the outstanding women of history.
Her story shows that she was not power hungry. She wanted to serve God. Whenever praise came her way, she gave God the credit. She didn’t deny or resist her position in the culture as a woman and wife, but she never allowed herself to be hindered by it either. Her story shows that God will accomplish great things through people who are willing to be led by Him.
Deborah’s story challenges us in several ways. She reminds us of the need to be available both to God and to others. She encourages us to spend our energy on what we can co rather than on worrying about what we can’t do. Deborah challenges us to be wise leaders in the areas where God has called us to lead. She demonstrates what a person can accomplish when one gets their will in line with God’s.
This Sunday’s sermon will look at Deborah’s story as recorded for us in Judges chapter 4.