It is one of the most intriguing accounts in the Bible to me. The nation of Israel was suffering from moral and spiritual decline, primarily due to failed leadership. As a result of the Israelites turning their backs on God, they were under the oppression of one of their harshest enemies in history for 20 years. It is against this backdrop that God raises a woman, Deborah, to step into the role of leadership.
The Book of Judges identifies her as the most dynamic person to emerge during the 350 years covered in the book. Deborah was the only woman in this distinguished company of judges. She judged Israel for 60 years as a discerning leader under Israel's tribunal structure, where women were traditionally in subordinate positions. Deborah rose to play a significant role during a difficult time of captivity.
No doubt, she is one of those women I would love to sit down and interview. The two chapters detailing her leadership reveal one of the most challenging times in Israel. Amid a society where spiritual corruption was rampant, one woman remained focused on what was true. She stood as a paragon of faith.
We are given very few details, however, about how she received the appointment as a judge. It leaves us to wonder how she could rise to a place of prominence and influence, despite the obstacles a patriarchal society would present. What we do see is how unselfishly and effectively she used her authority. She became an essential voice in her day due to her profound wisdom. She is both intriguing and inspiring, compelling us to take notes from her leadership prowess as we, too, become women of wisdom and maximize our influence in our own challenging times.
At that unique point in history, the prophet, national leader, and military commander's roles were fused; this meant that Deborah functioned in each of these categories with great success. The multiplicity of roles within which she functioned offer us a unique perspective as we take time to peer over her shoulder and watch her unique ability to navigate these various responsibilities with enviable grace. The thing that stands out to me, which enabled her to perform with such excellence, is her ability to connect with others, from commanders to commoners. This is vital to our effectiveness as leaders.
No doubt, Deborah was a role model for women in her day and still is to us in our day. We discover this same, strong sense of mission in another woman mentioned in these two chapters named Jael. Perhaps it was Deborah's inspiring courage that empowered Jael to seize her moment, which altered her nation's history! You never know who is gleaning from your example as a leader.
As we delve into the pages of these six lessons, we can expect to glean from the strengths these women possessed, such as authenticity, intuitive listening, and vulnerability. Are you ready to do this?
