Tag: Deborah

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Biblical People

Biblical People: Deborah (3)

Deborah

Deborah is the grandmother of Tobit. She raises him after his parents die. She teaches him about their faith, training him in the regulations Moses received from God and taught to the people.

She also instills in him a deep generosity. Not only does he give what is required to the temple, priests, and Levites, but at her encouragement, he also gives 10 percent of his income to poor people in Jerusalem and another 10 percent to orphans, widows, and converts to Judaism. 

Thanks to his grandma’s influence, Tobit has a heart to help others. While most grandparents don’t have to raise their grandkids, most every grandparent can influence them. 

How can we be sure to make the most of our opportunities to inspire others?

[Discover more about Deborah in Tobit 1:6–8 in The New Jerusalem Bible, Common English Bible (CEB), and New American Bible (NAB). For more information, see “Bonus Material: The Full Picture.”]

Learn about other biblical women in Women of the Bible, available in audiobook, e-book, paperback, and hardcover.

A lifelong student of the Bible, Peter DeHaan, PhD, wrote the 1,000-page website ABibleADay.com to encourage people to explore the Bible. His main blog and many books urge Christians to push past the status quo and reconsider how they practice their faith in every area of their lives.

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Biblical People

Biblical People: Deborah (1)

Deborah (1)

When Rebekah agrees to leave home to marry Isaac, her family sends her off, along with her nurse. This suggests Rebekah may be quite young at the time and still in need of guidance. We later learn the nurse’s name is Deborah, but we know nothing more about her or what she does. 

However, the Bible does mention Deborah’s death. We don’t know why, but it must have been important for God to note her passing in his written Word.

Whether our life is celebrated, receives a mere footnote in history, or is soon forgotten, what we do is important to God.

Do we do things to get the world’s attention or is God’s opinion what matters most?

[Discover more about Deborah in Genesis 24, specifically verse 59, and Genesis 35:8.]

Learn about other biblical women in Women of the Bible, available in audiobook, e-book, paperback, and hardcover.

A lifelong student of the Bible, Peter DeHaan, PhD, wrote the 1,000-page website ABibleADay.com to encourage people to explore the Bible. His main blog and many books urge Christians to push past the status quo and reconsider how they practice their faith in every area of their lives.

Categories
Biblical People

Biblical People: Deborah (2)

deborah 2

Though called a judge, Deborah is primarily a prophetess, a person who hears from God and proclaims his words to others. She is the only female judge in the Bible.

Deborah receives a prophetic message for Barak. 

Through her, God commands him to raise an army and attack their enemy. God even promises that Barak will prevail, but he balks. He won’t do it unless Deborah goes with him. She consents.

However, she prophesies that because of his reluctance, the honor of killing the enemy’s leader, Sisera, will go to a woman. While we may assume this woman is Deborah, it’s another woman, Jael. Even so, Deborah receives more credit than Barak for the victory. 

Deborah lives in a male-dominated society. Yet, when a man doesn’t do what he is supposed to, she steps forward and acts. We commend her for her faith and her bravery.

Are we willing to step in when others are afraid to?

[Discover more about Judge Deborah in Judges 4–5.]

Learn about other biblical women in Women of the Bible, available in audiobook, e-book, paperback, and hardcover.

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Bible

A Reluctant Hero

Judge Deborah was a reluctant hero.

Deborah, also a prophetess, received instructions from God to relay to Barak. His mission was to lead a battle against their oppressors. When she shared this with Barak, he balked (as did Moses, Jonah, Gideon, and many others when God called them to a task).

Barak did not want to go alone and requested that Deborah accompany him. Deborah agreed, but predicted that if she did, she would be the one credited with the victory and not Barak.

Apparently emboldened by her presence, Barak then did as instructed and led the army to victory. There is no mention of Deborah actually doing anything to ensure victory, except merely going with Barak. Yet, she is indeed the one who received the accolades.

I’m not sure if Barak lacked confidence in himself or in God, but either way, he wavered and did not obey God without question. Still, God was able to accomplish his purpose, albeit through Deborah.

It is always easier to serve God with a friend, but sometimes what God asks for is a solo effort.

[Judges 4:1 to 5:31]

A lifelong student of the Bible, Peter DeHaan, PhD, wrote the 1,000-page website ABibleADay.com to encourage people to explore the Bible. His main blog and many books urge Christians to push past the status quo and reconsider how they practice their faith in every area of their lives.

Categories
Bible

Judge Deborah

Deborah is another familiar judge, with two chapters in the book of Judges devoted to her. There are some noteworthy facts about her:

1) She is the only female judge in the entire book. This was very counter-cultural for the day — and very cool!

2) She was the only judge who actually “held court” — which would be consistent with our modern understanding of what a judge does.

3) She was also a prophetess. Although there are many prophets listed in the Bible, there are only seven prophetesses (a female prophet).  They are:

  • Miriam (Moses and Aaron’s sister), Exodus 15:20
  • Deborah, Judges 4:4
  • Huldah, 2 Kings 22:14 and 2 Chronicles 34:22
  • Noadiah (a bad prophetess), Nehemiah 6:14
  • Isaiah’s wife, whose name is not given, Isaiah 8:3
  • Anna, the prophetess in the temple who was waiting for Jesus, Luke 2:36
  • Jezebel, the evil prophetess mentioned in the Revelation 2:20.

Deborah was also a reluctant hero. She didn’t want notoriety, but that is exactly what she received.

A lifelong student of the Bible, Peter DeHaan, PhD, wrote the 1,000-page website ABibleADay.com to encourage people to explore the Bible. His main blog and many books urge Christians to push past the status quo and reconsider how they practice their faith in every area of their lives.