Deborah
A woman in the Bible that is absolutely intriguing to me is Deborah. I would like to introduce you to her but I will let the word of the Lord introduce her…
Judges 4:4 Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time.
As you can see, the Lord introduces her by name, then title of prophetess, and then in relationship as she is a wife. THEN, you learn of her job, she was sent by God to be a judge for the people, to help them. She is the fourth judge, and the ONLY woman judge in the Bible. It is no coincidence that she is introduced to us in the fourth chapter and the fourth verse of Judges.
When I did a study on the number four I learned that this number means creation. The number 444 points to change, truth, and personal character. This pointed me in the direction to question who was Deborah and how was she described and what was her character. She was a wise leader, fair, faith filled, loved the people, chosen by God to be a spokeswoman for Him.
In the very next verse, after she is introduced, the location is described of where she used to do her business as a judge and prophetess.
Judges 4:5 She used to sit under the palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the people of Israel came up to her for judgment.
Let’s do some word search for the meanings of these words and locations. From what I found, Deborah sat in the shade of a tree between Ramah, meaning height or high and Bethel, meaning house of God in Ephraim, meaning to be fruitful. If we replace the words with the meanings it reads: She used to sit under the palm of Deborah between high and house of God in the hill country of to be fruitful. She did God’s business under a tree to be fruitful between the high and house of God.
I believe we have so much to learn from Deborah, her character, how she carried herself, and how she was about God’s business and calling on her life. She was a woman of honor and given great responsibility from God. She was a woman who was available to God and the people. I am still learning about her but wanted to share what God has illuminated to me so far about this intriguing woman of the Bible.
Please share below what God shows to you as you study Deborah for yourself in Judges chapters 4 and 5