WE read about the story of Deborah in Judges 4. She was a prophetess, a judge, and a role model for every woman called to lead others. Deborah didn’t lead like Judge Judy, The People’s Court, or Divorce Court. Her courtroom was under a palm tree.
We don’t really know what most of the disputes Deborah handled, but undoubtedly they centered around the oppressors of the Israelites. One thing for sure was that Deborah was continually in touch with God. He helped her have the wisdom to make right judgments.
God gave Deborah a command and told her that the Israelites must go to battle with the Canaanites. They were to be led by Barak, her Secretary of Defense. She summoned Barak and gave him the instructions that God had given her. He was to lead in the battle and go against Jabin’s army led by the great captain, Sisera. Barak agrees, but only if Deborah accompanies him. She tells him, “I’ll go with you, but you won’t be able to claim the victory. The honor will go to a woman.”
During the battle, Sisera escapes on foot while his army is being pursued and destroyed. Sisera comes to the tent of Jael and lies down to rest. He asks for a drink, and Jael gives him milk. He falls asleep. While he is asleep, she hammers a tent-pin through his temple.
The Biblical account of Deborah ends with the statement: After the battle was won, there was peace in the land for 40 years.