JUDGE DEBORAH - A Mother of Israel

Over 3,000 years ago, God brought his Chosen People into the Promised Land.  However, instead of following him with their whole hearts, they began to take on the ways of the local inhabitants and worshiped their foreign gods and idols. The Bible says, “In those days, there was no king in Israel, and everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”

This so grieved the heart of God that he let the enemies of his Covenant People oppress them while he raised up Judges to lead them.  These leaders did significantly more than Judges do in our day. They were more like chieftains, heroes and deliverers in times of war.  But no matter how good the Judges were, the people returned to their corrupt and idolatrous ways as soon as each Judge died. In the midst of this turbulent time, the Lord raised up a prophetess called Deborah, whose name means “honeybee.”  Industrious and intelligent she knew the awesome responsibility of conveying God’s Words to His people.  Her prominence as a ruler in Israel is rather remarkable being the only woman to hold this position. After leading a victory over their enemy, she ruled the land for 40 years of peace.  Deborah of Ephraim was affectionately called, “A Mother of Israel." She demonstrated  great faith in God and became the strength of God's people. ​

​ABOUT THE PRESENTATION

JUDGE DEBORAH of Israel tells her story which is recorded in from the Old Testament book of Judges, chapters 4 - 6.  The book of Judges connects the time of Joshua with the time of the coronation of Israel’s first king, Saul.   This period of the Judges is approximately 325 years long.  From her context in approximately 1250 B.C., the Prophetess and Judge explains the historical, cultural, and spiritual background of God's dealings with his chosen people, Israel.  She explains the reasons behind some of the mysterious decrees of God and the unusual behavior of the Israelites.  The Shofar is blown, the Torah is read, central aspects of Israel's worship in the Tabernacle are explained, while Deborah vividly describes how God, our Great Judge, supernaturally and gloriously delivered his people in a time of great oppression and war.  Judge Deborah also relates what believers today can learn from this often misunderstood portion of God's revelation.