Deborah – A True Warrior
Judges 4:8 KJV
“And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: But if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go.” – Judges 4:8 KJV
Can you imagine how Deborah must have felt when she heard the above words coming from such an accomplished warrior as Barak?
Deborah was a prophetess and the only female who God used to be a judge in Israel. She often sat under a palm tree named after her and heard civil cases. The Holy Spirit’s Gift of Wisdom was evident in her decisions; therefore, she was respected by the people.
Barak, on the other hand, was a courageous and daring warrior of God. The children of Israel had been oppressed by Jabin, King of Canaan, for twenty years. The Canaanite army had nine hundred iron chariots, and a good captain, Sisera, so they were greatly feared.
One day, Deborah sent for Barak and told him that God said he should take ten thousand men of the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun and go and fight Sisera, and He (God) would give him victory. This is when Barak told Deborah those words.
To many, those words may seem cowardly. To some, he was doubting God, which is probably why Deborah prophetically told him that God was going to give the credit for the victory to a woman and not him. Even more, the words may be saying, “If I’m going to die, you will die too!” But Barak’s comment paid the greatest compliment to Deborah as a fellow warrior of God. Barak, with his words, was acknowledging not her actual physical prowess alone but the anointing, the presence of God in Deborah’s life.
Deborah accompanied Barak, and in true warrior style, she kept herself spiritually alert. She told him the exact moment he should go down from Mount Tabor to defeat Sisera and his army in spite of Sisera commanding nine hundred iron chariots.
Deborah did not hesitate to accompany the men on this dangerous mission. No. She had faith. If God said He would do it, He would. She knew she was a child and servant of the Lord first, and His Will was paramount. As a judge and prophetess, she knew how critical her role was. She was God’s spokesperson and a sure reminder of His protecting Presence.
Many of us, as God’s children, do not realise how crucial our presence is to others. That is why like Deborah, we must keep ourselves spiritually alert and ready to go to war on God’s behalf for His people.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for calling me into Your Kingdom for such a time as this. As I go through this life, Lord, please grant that my spiritual ears and eyes will always be open to hear Your voice and to see Your signals so that I can be a true voice and representation of You. Grant me the boldness and courage to go wherever You send me, knowing that You will never leave me nor forsake me. In Your Most Holy name, I pray, Amen.
Read: Proverbs 28:1; Hebrews 13: 5-6
Bible Reading Guide: Proverbs 12:18-27; John 11:45-57; John 12:1-11; 1 Samuel 5; 1 Samuel 6; 1 Samuel 7
