I started my reflections on people in the Bible with a man who was tagged with a name similar to mine – Stephen. I have made my way to the prophets and Elisha – a man whose haircut resembles mine. And as I have mentioned a few other memorable men, I have realized that I have unintentionally ignored memorable women in the Bible. Now I will start to correct my error.

The Israelites, again, did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, after Ehud died. So the Lord sold them into the hand of King Jabin of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor; the commander of his army was Sisera, who lived in Harosheth-ha-goiim. Then the Israelites cried out to the Lord for help; for he had nine hundred chariots of iron, and had oppressed the Israelites cruelly twenty years.

At that time Deborah, a prophetess, wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel. She used to sit under the palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim; and the Israelites came up to her for judgment.
Judges 4:1-5

Among the other leaders of God’s people mentioned in the biblical book of Judges, we find Deborah. In the male-dominated society of Old Testament times, God didn’t even think to apologize or explain why God would choose a woman to lead God’s people at this juncture. God just chose Deborah to lead. She is listed as one of the Judges for whom this book is named.

You can read about her wonderful leadership in Judges chapters 4 and 5. You can see how she exercised wisdom and strength as the Spirit of God guided her. God has used women and men to do God’s work for a long time.

Prayer

Dear God, thanks for making us who we are, and for using us to bring Your kingdom closer today and each day. Amen.