Deborah//Judge

God called me to be a judge for the Israelites, to decide disputes between them. My court was located in the hill country of Ephraim between Ramah and Bethel. 

Journal entry for January 23, 32 BC

Dear Diary,

Whew, what a day it's been! Barak and his army of 10,000 men have just defeated Sisera and his men at Mt Tabor. Praise God for the great victory! But the thing is, if I hadn't stood up for what was right and told Barak that I would go to battle with him, we would not have gained this victory today. When I summoned him to my court and told him that we were going to go fight Sisera's army, his eyes filled with fear and I could see him shrink back in fear. He didn't want to go because he was afraid, and he told me so. I confess that it is very easy to let feelings of fear creep into your heart if you let them, but I always remind myself that God is greater. He is far more powerful than any man, and he is on our side, something which Barak must have forgotten. Barak said that he would only go to fight Sisera's army if I went too. 

You're probably thinking, "How would having a lady, even the most powerful one around, come with you to fight in a war and help you win a difficult battle against a large army?" Seems kind of silly to me. I was thinking the same thing and I'm pretty amazed by how much Barak relies on me. Shouldn't he be the fearless one? While he may be my army commander and I may be just a woman, I realized, in a split second, how much courage and strength God has given me. God certainly knew I could use the extra courage, especially when Barak is so weak. I wondered if he could really defeat Sisera; his fear was so great. Then I went to God and asked him for guidance, and he led me to tell Barak that I would go, too, but because of Barak's fear and reliance on me, a woman, God declared that the glory would go to me instead. 

As we set off early this morning on foot down the steep slopes of Mount Tabor to meet Sisera and his 900 men, I noticed that Barak had a sheepish look on his face. He was ashamed that he wasn't going to get any glory for the victory God had promised us. Barak didn't barely say a word as we approached the enemy army. When we got close enough to fight, Barak rode full speed ahead and fought courageously. I couldn't help but wonder what he might have done if I wasn't there watching him. I watched as Sisera and his soldiers were thrown into a panic by the LORD and then as Barak chased them all the way to Harosheth-haggoyim, leaving none alive. Only Sisera managed to escape, and he ran to Jael's tent. I've heard rumors that she killed Sisera, but I'm still waiting for a full report which will hopefully arrive in a few days. Until then, we won't know exactly what happened to Sisera, but everyone is pretty sure that he is dead. 

Let me tell you, if you listen to God and do what he tells you to do, you'll be successful in everything you do! God loves to bless his children like he blessed us today. He wanted to bless Barak, my military leader, but Barak was afraid and so he refused to obey without my help. God made it clear that he will work through anyone - both men and women - to accomplish his purpose. He allows women to lead his church, including me, and it is not because he wants men and women to have the same roles. God uses godly women who are committed to serving him fearlessly. He searches for people who live lives of integrity and elevates to the positions he has called them to. I've realized that women can be leaders in the church and the community of faith if God allows it. He gives different people various gifts and abilities and has appointed people for the leadership positions that he has set up. God is using me to judge and guide the nation of Israel, and I'm just a woman. But I obeyed, and God worked through me today. I can't wait to see what he does in the future!