The Person of Deborah Prophetess and Judge

The Person of Deborah Prophetess and Judge

By Bro. Solomon

Although Barak will lead Israel in battle, the glory of victory will not be his.  YHWH has decided to use women throughout this episode of judges to bring about liberation for Israel, “I will surely go with you; nevertheless, the road on which you are going will not lead to your glory, for the Lord will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman” (Judg. 4:9-10). The glory of course will be Deborah’s and Jael’s since they are truly the women who will accomplish the victory, “ The references to Sisera’s death at the hand of a woman states a number of principles in no uncertain terms. By stating that no glory will come to Barak because he would die at the hand of a woman, the text highlights what women should not be doing in the story where they did it.” [7] The emphasis that women will triumph over the enemies of Israel causes no response from Barak, there seems to be an obedience to Deborah’s words, the narrative gives no defense to the fact that she is a woman, neither is there any animosity that a woman will be the conqueror, yet the focus of woman in the text shows an underlying issue which seems to be to the contrary, “Women should not be capturing the opponents military commander. When women fight in battles men lose glory. The implications is that men, or especially Israelite men, fought for glory or renown, not, as Deborah stated because the deity commanded it.”[8]