Deborah, perhaps one of the greatest, if not the greatest woman of the Old Testament, known for her great courage and faith was a judge and prophetess in Israel for forty years. She answered the call of God without question or pause. She was a woman of power and respect in a society and world which was male dominated. God raised Deborah up as a judge of His people when once again they had forsaken him, turning to idolatry and had been captured by an invading army, King Jaban and the Canaanites.
Very early in the account we are introduced to Sisera, the Captain of the Canaanite army (Jud 4:6). When called upon to deliver God’s people, Judge Deborah called upon Barak to lead Israel’s army. Sisera had a force to be reckoned with as he commanded nine hundred chariots. Barak immediately agreed but only if Deborah would go with him into battle (4:8). This alone may say something about the degenerative condition of Israelite society, not degenerative in a way which would degrade women, but rather an indictment against male leadership in Israelite society. Another example and non example would be the tribes which answered the call to arms for God’s people, but negatively as well the tribes who refused the call of Deborah to help God’s people. It was to be God’s fight, but there were those who refused the call as well as those who answered it.
As the battle ensued, God quickly turned the tide against Sisera in favor of the Israelites. A torrential rain came in a season of the year which generally sees no rain. Sisera had commanded his army of chariots down a seemingly dry riverbed. But when the rains came and winds blew (oops that’s another instance), the chariots became bogged down, the Canaanites panicked and the Israelites were able to gain the victory. In the meantime Sisera fled and ended up in the house of what he thought was a friend. However, the woman of the house, Jael, the wife of Heber, recognized Sisera and drove a tent peg through his temple while he slept. Thus the leader of the invaders was in- sanctimoniously killed by a woman.
After the great victory Deborah and Barak sing a song of thanksgiving and praise to God who was given complete credit for the victory and ultimate deliverance (Jud 6:1-30. Those who failed to answer the call for help were discredited and cursed as well. Deborah was indeed a woman of faithful courage and who gave all the glory and honor to God.