Devorah and how she was Ordained by G-d for a Leadership Role: a Refutation of Christian Teaching that Women should be Silent

Beth Elohim Messianic Synagogue
Response to email question concerning how Deborah was “allowed” to be in a leadership position.
Shalom,
Thank you for your interesting question. As a female rabbi, I get this one quite frequently. I hold a doctorate in Theology and Philosophy, a master’s in biblical studies, and I am an Advance Practice Registered Nurse recently retired from that position to assume my rabbinical duties full time. I am also a veteran of the Navy and Army. Nevertheless, there are some misguided Jews and Christians who have been taught that women either “should be silent” as in the case of Christianity, or that women are to stay home and raise a kosher family in a kosher home in the case of traditional Judaism. Thankfully, the Bible does not support the first position as we shall see. Furthermore, although an observant biblical wife is expected to raise a family that follows G-d’s Torah/instructions, this does not mean a woman with leadership potential should be silenced. We will explore this truth through the life of Deborah, the only female judge of Israel and the Bible as we read about her life in the book of Judges chapters 4-5.
Deborah was a prophet, judge, military leader, songwriter, and minstrel. She fused her skills and talents in these roles, leading and judging Israel for 60 years in the 12th century B.C.E. In her tenure, Israel suffered great hardship for 20 of the 60 years because of their sin. The remaining 40 years were peaceful.
Demonstrating impeccable modesty, Deborah judges under a palm tree that would prevent anyone from accusing her of inappropriate behavior. A man and woman are not to be in an enclosed space alone. This applies to discipleship today as well. The Israelites prospered under her leadership tenure. In the Hebrew, Deborah’s name means “bee” which symbolizes her involvement and multifaceted skills and talents.
Judges chapters 4 and 5 begin with Israel’s disobedience, of which they repented with a subsequent 40-years of peace. As they repented, they cried out to the G-d, and he responded with a plan of deliverance. This was a Holy War although the Canaanites did not know it!
Deborah was a remarkable woman whose story outshines an accepted belief that only men can be military leaders and/or judges. She breaks through these barriers with G-d- given wisdom and courage, serving as a loud and clear testament to the strength women can demonstrate even in a patriarchal society.
She was ordained by G-d to lead/judge Israel when her skills, courage, leadership ability, and love for her people were needed most. G-d called her to a prominent position when He would have usually called a man to this position. “When leaders lead, others will follow” is the theme of the book of Judges. Before Israel had kings, G-d appointed judges and prophets to speak to the people on his behalf. When the judge was a godly influence, G-d would prompt their hearts toward repentance and give them victory over their enemies.
The Israelites were given over to Jabin, King of Canaan who severely oppressed them for 20 years. G-d allowed this to happen because of the Israelite’s rebellion against G-d, following strange gods and worshiping them instead. But the people cried out to G-d in repentance and G-d responded. In this scenario, Israel was paralyzed by fear of Sisera, the commander of Jabin’s army who flaunted the fact that they had nine hundred chariots. At this point, G-d chose an unlikely judge by the traditional Jewish and Christian perspectives on the role of women. G-d chose Deborah!
So what did Deborah do that was so great? On an ordinary day while she was executing her duty as judge, she delivered G-d’s message to Barak to take 10,000 men to fight against Sisera, the commander of Jabin’s army. Deborah continued her prophecy “And I [G-d] will deliver them into your hand (Judges 4:7). Barak should have taken the assignment and carried it out. Instead he told Deborah “If you go with me, I’ll go; but if you won’t go with me, I won’t go.” Deborah replied “yes, I will gladly go with you; but the way you are doing it will bring you no glory; because Adonai will hand Sisra over to a woman” (Judges 4:8-9).
Barak summoned Naftali and Z’vulun to go with them. There was a total of 10,000 men and Deborah who went to the battle. Although Devorah did not engage in the battle, her presence bolstered Barak’s courage to fight victoriously for G-d.
After a short narrative describing the preparation for the battle on both sides described in verses 10-13, we again hear from Deborah “Devorah said to Barak: ‘Get going! This is the day when Adonai will hand Sisra over to you! Adonai has gone out ahead of you!” The rest is history well worth reading.
After Sisra’s army was completely wiped out to the man, Sisera fled for his life, taking refuge in the tent of Ya’el who was the wife of Hever the Keini because Keini. Ya’el went out to meet Sisra and said to him, “Come in, my lord; stay here with me; and don’t be afraid.” So he went into her tent, and she covered him with a blanket. He said to her, “Please give me a little water to drink- I’m thirsty.” She opened a goatskin of milk, gave him some to drink, and covered him up again. He said to her, “ Stand at the entrance to the tent; and if anyone asks you if somebody is here, say, ‘No,’ But when he was deeply asleep, Ya’el the wife of Hever took a tent peg and a hammer in her hand, crept in to him quietly and drove the tent peg into his temple, right through to the ground; so that he dies without waking up.” His fulfilled Devorah’s prophecy to Barak which stated because of his faltering courage, “there will be no glory for you… for the L-rd will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman (Judges 4:9).
After the battle, Devorah composed and sang a song recorded in Judges 5:1-31. She gives us incredible insight as to what happened when G-d awakened her from her “normal” life. She exclaimed “Awake, awake, Devorah!” (Judges 5:7-12).
Devorah’s leadership and courage inspires men and women today, showing us that bravery has no gender boundaries. Her faith fueled her actions, taking priority over any fear she may have experienced. Trusting G-d and having faith that He is to be revered above all human emotions and wisdom, G-d provided victory over oppression. This applies to us today just as it did when Devorah lived. This narrative underscores the theme of G-d’s protection and provision even during trying times. When G-d calls, we need to be spiritually attuned to his voice and respond. Collaboration is also key to Devorah’s success. By enlisting Barak’s support, she demonstrated the importance of teamwork over ego or accepted social norms when they are not substantiated by G-d’s Word.
Furthermore, Deborah’s developed a well-thought-out strategy. She did not just rush into battle. She approached the battle with planning and foresight, necessary for winning any battle, large or small.
I hope this article answers your questions about Devorah, her ordination by G-d to a position of leadership traditionally held by men, and how G-d is truly omniscient. Devorah was perfect for the role that was necessary for victory.
Shalom v’brachas,
Rabbi Tamah Davis-Hart