Rev. E. Anderson
IN MANY AREAS
JUDGES 4 & 5
It is both inspiring and helpful to discover that there were some very choice women who had a firm understanding and grip of the knowledge of God in their day and were enabled to serve God and His people in an effective manner. The men folk were not the only ones as the Biblical record shows. High on the list is a woman by the name of Deborah who rose to a rich relationship with the Lord and which tuned to immense advantage at a difficult period in its history. She was not one of those people who succumbed to what was occurring under oppressive factors.
Her name literally means “Bee,” thus revealing how industrious and influential she was to those all around her. Really, she was like a queen bee that somehow affected the whole hive to positive good. Because she evidently knew the Lord she expressed that knowledge in a number of areas.
1/. SHE POSSESSED SOUND UNDERSTANDING
In chapter 4: 4, 5 the people gathered to her with their problems and major difficulties and she had the capacity in God to discern what the nature of the problem and need was and supply the right answer. It is apparent that she got her wisdom from the Lord and the people sensed it and were ready to seek her for divine guidance. Because she was in touch with God, He provided the necessary answers and so the people grew in their confidence in God and her.
2/. SHE POSSESSED PROPHETIC INSPIRATION AND REVELATION
The time came when she knew that God’s people should rise and shake of the yoke of the evil oppression and she was ready to be God’s spokesman on the issue – vv6,7. She calls on Barak to summon the men to go and fight against a formidable force assuring them of divine conquest. No doubt filled her mind as she uttered the prophetic word. It did not matter how strong the opposition was, the tables would be turned and victory would be the lot of Israel. What reason had they to question when she had already proved her faith and integrity as a divine judge! Her knowledge from God here was absolute.
4/. SHE POSSESSED THE GIFT OF STRONG LEADERSHIP
Barak’s heart was lacking in courage and was prepared to take the leadership to a point. He would only go inasmuch as this inspired woman was there in a leading role –v8. She complied to the request. “She appointed him as her field commander and assigned him the task of recruiting an army to defeat Sisera. She was not afraid to set the example of courage and heroism by using herself as bait for the ambush.” Spirit Filled Bible
4/. SHE POSSESSED MUSICAL ABILITY TO COMPOSE A SONG
In chapter 5 she is inspired and composes a prophetic song that gathers all the detail of the battle and victory, mentioning who led the way, the Lord – vv3,4 and concludes on a high note re-the Lord and those who trust Him – v31
