First, Deborah’s name:
Deborah comes from the Hebrew word D’vorah, meaning “Bee” and symbolizes industriousness, sweetness, and leadership.
*Like a bee pulls nectar from a flower to create something beneficial, Deborah pulled from Barak (the necessary actions) to secure victory for a nation that gave the land rest 40 years.
* Like a bee, Deborah was highly productive in her leadership
* Bees are also orderly; through orderly motion they exhibit clear communication; Deborah exhibited this same level of clear communication required of a successful leader.
We’ll save “Deborah, a prophetess, wife of Lapidoth” (Judges 4:4) for a secondary lesson, and start with the proceeding verse to view Deborah’s wide array of virtues and leadership traits.
v5 And she would sit under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the mountains of Ephraim. And the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.
Positioned authority: Deborah sat under a palm tree and palms signify praising God and joyful victory - think of Jesus and His triumphal entry into Jerusalem in which the people waved palm branches. And from Brian Simmon’s Passion Translation notes: “Deborah ruled while sitting under the realm of victory and prophetic revelation.” Basically, Deborah positioned herself in a place of victory, and ruled from that seat of authority. Palms also represent righteousness and strength, further signifying Deborah ruled from this place of strength. Also, it was the “palm of Deborah” - an acknowledgement of the level of authority she carried. Deborah also sat in a high place, God’s high place, literally and spiritually, as Ramah means “high place” and Bethel means “house of God.” Additionally, anyone who approached her had to be willing to come up high in order to meet with her. This would sift out people coming to her for trivial or “low” matters.
A sidenote: Palms are significant enough to be mentioned in 25x in Scripture and they also represent a place of refuge, as portrayed in Exodus 15:27, the seventy palms and twelve wells.
v6-7 Then she sent and called for Barak…and said to him, ‘Has not the LORD God of Israel commanded, ‘Go and deploy troops at Mount Tabor; take with you ten-thousand men of the sons of Naphtali and of the sons of Zebulun. ‘and against you I will deploy Sisera, the commander of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his multitude at the River Kishon; and I will deliver him into your hand?
Communication Wisdom: Here we see Deborah as a leader with the recognized authority to call for someone to come to her. This is the authority she carries as a prophet; she doesn’t submit to the demands of the people – the people don’t decide when she will give a word or where and when she will come and go. Deborah, in partnership with the Lord decides when and how to give a word. She operates wisely in this manner. Deborah also employs wisdom in her interaction with Barak. She doesn’t command Barak what to do; rather she makes it clear it is the Lord who is giving the command. But her underlying wisdom is that she begins with a question for Barak; she give him room to decide the matter for himself. She doesn’t boast in her authority and she doesn’t lord it over him. (This would imply Deborah doesn’t lord her authority over anyone.) Deborah understands Barak himself operates in a position of authority and she shows respect for his authority. At any rate, it’s the prophetic word of the Lord spoken through the mouth of Deborah. Victory is assured. The Lord has spoken it. How will Barak respond?
v8-10 And Barak said to her, “If you will go with me, then I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go!” So she said, “I will surely go with you; nevertheless there will be no glory for you in the journey you are taking, for the Lord will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.” Then Deborah arose and went with Barak to Kadesh.
Bravery and Courage: Here we see an interesting interaction between a strong man and a strong woman, and how they choose to work together. Barak doesn’t hesitate to state the terms of his engagement. And to quote the Jerusalem Bible once again: “If you come with me, I will go; if you will not come I will not go, for I do not know how to choose the day when the angel of Yahweh will grant me success” (v8). Here we see Barak’s forthright acknowledgment of Deborah as a prophet who hears clearly the word of the Lord. He recognizes the anointing and the mantle on Deborah’s life and decides to partner with it. Both Deborah and Barak are vessels God will use to accomplish the task He has set before them. Barak is not a coward. He is mentioned in Hebrews 11 and coward’s don’t sit in the “hall of faith.” And when Deborah reminds Barak “there will be no glory for you” isn’t it the Lord who deserves all the glory anyway? Deborah is merely fore-telling - stating the terms of the outcome (the Lord will sell Sisera into the hands of a woman) and it appears Barak is not concerned about who gets the glory. Ultimately, the glory belongs to the Lord and it’s victory that’s most important to the heart of a warrior.
Honored Interaction with Men: “Then Deborah arose and went with Barak to Kadesh.” It’s worth noting - “Kadesh” means holy, sacred, pure, consecrated or set apart.” Together, Deborah and Barak embarked together toward a holy place, the preparatory place before the battle began. Together, they entrusted their lives to the Lord and His word. Together, they honored the Lord and in doing so they honored one another. This is a picture of men and women walking side by side together in the body of Christ, and what can be accomplished walking together in purpose and like-mindedness. (Victory is assured)
v10 And Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali to Kadesh; he went up with ten thousand men under his command, and Deborah went up with him.
A Warrior’s Heart: Ten thousand men are now mustered to Kadesh, the holy place, and it’s under the leadership of Barak. This is the significance of men like Barak. When one Barak rises up, ten thousand men rise up with him. But it’s Deborah and Barak who have set the standard. It’s Deborah and Barak who are leading the way. And all are soldiers, but not all are warriors. Warriors are those willing to go, even to run, to the front lines of a battle. Deborah, as well as Barak, is a warrior.
v14 Then Deborah said to Barak, “Up! For this is the day in which the LORD has delivered Sisera into your hand. Has not the LORD gone out before you?” So Barak went down from Mount Tabor with ten thousand men following him.
Prophetic timing: This is the moment Barak knew Deborah would discern. Barak had the willingness, but he knew Deborah’s discernment was a key strategy needed for the battle. Knowing the moment when it’s time to move, time to take action, time to advance. It’s always best to stay in timing with the Lord. We need both the word of the Lord and the timing of the Lord. Deborah carried both.
Leads with courage: And Deborah reminds Barak that victory is assured. Her prophetic word infuses courage in all who hear her speak. She right there with the men when she gives the command. She’s leading with courage. In addition, The LORD has had them positioned in Mount Tabor, a high place, a vantage point with full view of the enemy, but more important the LORD is with them; He has spoken; He will go before them and secure their steps. Mount Tabor is a strategic place of God’s choosing; it’s the place where Jesus will later be transfigured
v15-17 And the LORD routed Sisera and all his chariots and all his army with the edge of the sword before Barak; and Sisera alighted from his chariot and fled away on foot. But Barak pursued the chariots and the army…and all the army of Sisera fell by the edge of the sword; not a man was left.
God’s word through Deborah comes to pass: It’s a supernatural victory in which Barak and his men fight with supernatural strength and courage combined with the LORD’s hand in the battle. Further details our outlined in the Song of Deborah (including Jael’s portion in the story which will be addressed in her own chapter). Interestingly the recounting of this victory is described as the song of Deborah and Barak in the New Jerusalem Bible) and here are some excerpts from that victory song in Judges 5:
v7 Village life ceased, it ceased in Israel, until I Deborah, arose as a Mother in Israel.
A Mother’s Heart: Deborah was already a prophetess and a judge, but something shifted when she rose up as a Mother in her nation. It was her mother’s heart that instigated her actions as a warrior. For it’s the mothers who are willing to go to battle on behalf of their children. We see this today with the mama bear mothers willing to give testimony and testify in regard to the transgender nonsense going on in the school (and other areas of public discourse) and of course Fathers as well who are willing to fight for the sake of their children. As the word says, we have many teachers, but we don’t have many Fathers (1 Corinthians 4:15) – and this of course includes the Mothers – mothers who instruct as well as nurture.
v9 My heart is with the rulers of Israel who offered themselves willingly with the people. Bless the Lord!
Honors the Lord: Here we see Deborah’s heart exulting. And she honors the Lord, exclaiming, “bless the Lord.” And she exults because the people who offer themselves to the Lord and His purposes will be blessed. These are the people the Lord is looking for. These are the people He will use. This includes you. When you say “Yes” when God asks “Will you?” When you say, “Here am I” when the Lord calls you, you will be blessed. How will you respond?
v15 And the princes of Issachar were with Deborah; as Issachar so was Barak sent into the valley under his command; among the divisions of Rueben there were great resolves of heart.
Invited/Invoked Loyalty: Deborah’s leadership style invited loyalty amongst the men of Issachar. Because of her leadership there was faithful backing and immediate action amongst these men. And there were great resolve of heart amongst the tribe of Rueben.
Resolve: Fixed purpose of mind; settled resolution (Webster’s 1828 app)
Will you be resolved when the Lord gives the command? Resolved to obey what He says to do? Resolved to obtain victory? It is a virtue that can be developed.
v20-21 They fought from the heavens; the stars from their courses fought against Sisera. The torrent of Kishon swept them away…
Trust in God: Here we see the LORD’s hand in the battle, the LORD’s promise fulfilled that He would fight for them as they were willing to muster troops to go and fight against Jabin’s army. This required great levels of trust. More details are recorded earlier in this Song of Deborah:
V5-6 Lord, when you went out form Seir, when you marched form the field of Edom, the earth trembled and the heavens poured, the clouds also poured water; the mountains gushed before the LORD, the Sinai, before the LORD God of Israel.
Remembering God’s Goodness/Scribing: The song is scribed by Deborah and Barak, in order to recount and remember, for themselves and those who would come after. Let’s also look at what’s written - The earth trembled. This sounds like an earthquake. And waters were released from the heavens in such abundance that the River Kishon flooded its banks – causing the chariots of the enemy to become stuck in their tracks, ineffective for the battle. This caused Sisera to flee from his chariot! And countless other warriors! Indeed nothing is too hard for the Lord! He has countless ways to obtain victory. And many of those ways cannot be predicted. And some of His ways are forgotten if not properly written down for remembrance. And the song ends with a curious proclamation:
v31 Let all your enemies perish, O LORD! But let those who love Him shine like the sun when it comes out in full strength.” So the land had rest for forty years.
This is Hebrew poetry at its finest, the use of contrast as employed in the book of Proverbs. This is the deliverance of the Lord! And God’s desire for His people to shine! Especially as we are called to be lights in this world. Not just reflections or even expressions of His light, but light itself – the light that always overtakes darkness - For “as he (Jesus) is, so are we in this world.” This is what occurs when we trust Him and when we look to Him in the midst of every situation we face:
Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever. Daniel 12:3
But the path of the just is like the shining sun., that shines ever brighter until the perfect day. Proverbs 4:18
Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. Isaiah 60:1
They looked to Him and were radiant. And their faces were not ashamed. Psalm 34:5
Leadership traits Deborah carried:
· Confidence
· Courage
· Trusted voice
· Excellent listening skills
· She supported the people she was called to lead
· She inspired men and women to rise up
· Humility- she gave glory to God
· Faith – she was successful because of her faith
· She honored the word of the Lord
· She led herself
“The best leaders are those who lead themselves” – John Maxwell
· Highly productive
· “Not all activity is productive.” – John Maxwell
· She pushed against the status quo to do a new thing; she broke out of tradition in regard to the role of female