Who Was Deborah in the Bible and Why Was She Special?
Deborah is one of the few female biblical figures whose stories enjoy great popularity among Christians and lovers of Bible stories. Why Deborah? Who is she? What did she do that made her special and the best among her equals? Read through her story in this article and find answers to your questions.
The Story of Deborah in the Bible
Are you interested in the story of Deborah in the Bible? Here, we will provide you with sufficient answers to every possible question regarding her profile in the Old Testament.
Deborah is a very popular and influential woman in Israel. She was married to Lappidpth. Additionally, she was known as a prophetess, judge and warrior in the Bible. Her story in the book of Judges chapters 4 & 5 talks about her bravery, wisdom, and spirituality, which saved the Israelites from their oppressors.
For us to understand this Bible character, let us explore her biography in two parts. While the first section will dive us into her life as a judge and prophetess, the second will explain how she lived as a warrior during her dispensation.
Deborah as a Judge and Prophetess
Recall that prophets and judges governed over the children of Israel in the absence of rulers and kings in the Old Testament. The book of Judges chronicles the lives and exploits of these charismatic leaders in the Bible. Out of these Bible characters, the story of Deborah stands out. Not only because she was the only female judge mentioned in the Bible, but also because she was a prophetess.
According to her historicity, Deborah usually sat under the palm tree between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim. There, she settled quarrels and delivered judgments among the people.
Note that judges, at that time, did not rely on their own wisdom alone, they had direct contact with God. This helped them to mediate between God and the people successfully.
However, what was special about the personality of Deborah in the Bible was how she oversaw the affairs of men and delivered judgments without bias. Despite being a female judge, she commanded respect among the people and had no scandal attached to her name throughout her dispensation.
Deborah as a Courageous Warrior
Apparently, the reason Deborah is the greatest of the women mentioned in the Bible is because of her bravery and capacity to lead Israel to war against their oppressors.
According to the Bible, Jabin, the king of Canaan, had nine hundred chariots of iron and oppressed the Israelites for twenty years. The single action of Deborah by agreeing to go to war with Barak and his 10,000 men, however, brought forty years of peace and stability to Israel.
See also: Lessons from the Story of Rahab in the Bible
Characteristics of Deborah in the Bible
From the story of Deborah above, you will agree that she has a very likable personality that stands her out among other judges in Israel. For emphasis, let’s look at some of the traits she exuded in the Bible.
- She was very brave and courageous
- She was full of wisdom
- She delivered judgments without bias
- She was obedient
- She was a purposeful leader
- She matched faith with action
Furthermore, these likable characteristics of Deborah show how important she was in the Bible. They also expose us to different moral lessons that we should imbibe.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why is Deborah a hero in the Bible?
Deborah is one, if not the greatest, women in Israel because of her valiant acts as a judge. The instance of her leadership’s feat in bringing peace and stability to her people made her a hero. Despite being a woman, Deborah chose faith over fear and led Israel’s army alongside Barak to secure victory for the people.
2. What Does the Story of Deborah Teach Us?
If you read through the story of Deborah, carefully in the Bible, you will find out that her story is replete with many practical lessons for Christian leaders today. These include her acts of bravery, obedience, wisdom, and exemplary leadership skill that brought rest to Israel for forty years.
Conclusion
The study of Deborah as a Bible character shows us how important she is. As seen above, she was a God-fearing woman that judged the Israelites in wisdom and true understanding of the law. Her style of leadership also stood her out from among other judges in Israel. Thus, informing us of practical lessons that we should execute in our lives.
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