Bible Boss Babe: Deborah Acting Not Hesitating
March will be focusing on inspiring women from the Bible in a series called: “Bible Boss Babes.” As it is formally Women’s History Month in Australia, the UK and the US, and also with International Women’s Day having been on March 8th, it’s a month where Seele’s Editor, Ally will point out four inspiring women and share practical life tips that we can apply to our own lives.
Last week we looked at Mary from Bethany, the sister of Lazarus and Martha, the one who sat at the feet of Jesus. This week, we’re looking at Bible Boss Babe: Deborah.
The most significant thing about Deborah and what we can take away from her life and apply to ours is that she was a woman of action, not hesitation. We find out about Deborah in Judges 4. She was a judge, Israel’s fourth judge and Israel’s only female judge. Judges were military leaders and guided Israel through political conflicts. They were like kings before Israel had official kings, and they were the commanders-in-chief of their time of leadership.
But where we can relate to Deborah and always keep her model in mind is that in life there are times we are presented with a heavy decision, a daunting situation where we have to act, or, we can choose to hesitate. But Deborah acted by faith. She didn’t let fear of what others think grip her, or, she didn’t let pride or doubt hold her back.
Because Deborah was a military leader and prophet, God shared with her things that were to come, things related to His will for His people. God told her to tell a man named Barak to call out 10,000 Israelite warriors to fight the Canaanites, led by Sisera and his 900 chariots and warriors.
God had told Deborah that he was going to give victory to the Israelites who had been oppressed by the Canaanites for 20 years, as God heard their cries and was going to deliver them. God had told Barak, through Deborah that He was going to deliver the Israelites but Barak got scared and said to Deborah: "If you go with me, I will go; but if you don't go with me, I won't go (Judges 4:8 NIV)." Wow, some woman she must have been for Barak to say such a thing. Deborah must have been known for her boldness, her prowess, and her resolve to handle anything thrown at her- hence why she ended up in the position of judge.
“9 “Certainly I will go with you,” said Deborah. “But because of the course you are taking, the honor will not be yours, for the LORD will deliver Sisera into the hands of a woman.” So, Deborah went with Barak to Kedesh. 10 There Barak summoned Zebulun and Naphtali, and ten thousand men went up under his command. Deborah also went up with him. ”
The Canaanites and Sisera were both defeated, Sisera by the hand of a woman named Jael (another Bible Boss Babe), just as Deborah prophesied. Both Deborah and Jael were women of action, bold to do what God had told them to do.
I find it amazing that even after God had told Barak, through Deborah that He was going to deliver the Canaanites into the hands of the Israelites, Barak was still scared to trust that prophetic word. God had gone to the man first, who cowered, and so victory came from the hand of a woman: Jael.
When we partner with God and we trust Him great things happen. Let us resolve to be Bible Boss people, to trust God despite the 900 chariots staring at us in the face, and let us resolve that we’re going to believe He has us in His hands.
Happy Friday! God bless you and go bless someone else this weekend!
See past Bible Boss Babes Friday Posts here.