Deborah the Judge

Judges 4:1–5:31

The men wouldn't lead. A woman did.

Israel is oppressed by Jabin, a Canaanite king whose general Sisera commands nine hundred iron chariots. Deborah — prophet, judge, the only woman to hold that role — summons Barak and gives him God's battle plan: Take ten thousand men to Mount Tabor. God will draw Sisera out. Barak's response is startling: I'll only go if you go with me. Deborah agrees but warns him: the honor of this victory won't be yours — God will deliver Sisera into the hands of a woman. She's not talking about herself. After the battle, Sisera flees on foot to a tent where a woman named Jael drives a tent peg through his skull.

• Leadership
• Courage
• Unlikely Hero
• God's Sovereignty