God uses a good woman only when a good man cant be found, she said. Her governance is so good that the land had rest for forty years judg. The israelites had been under the control of the canaanite king jabin and the commander of his army, sisera. The book of judges is a history book in the old testament of the bible. In judges 5, we read judge deborahs story again, but this time in poetic form. Deborah bible story, deborah bible character, deborah bible lesson. She told barak, commander of an army of israel, that the lord wanted him to fight an enemy named sisera. Deborah assures barak theyve got god on their side. Before her were othniel, ehud and shamgar, the latter only for a short time after ehuds death the jews forsook the ways of the torah and adopted many of the idols of the people about them. Imagine my surprise when that section was completely glossed over and hardly touched especially since that is the portion we have the most detail on in scripture. According to author joseph telushkin in his book jewish literacy, the only thing known about deborah s private life was the name of her husband, lapidot or lappidoth. After greeting me, she enthusiastically told me about the exciting ministries god was allowing in and through her life.
Deborah, a judge, used to hold court while sitting beneath a palm tree. God sent a judge named deborah to save the israelites. After attending a lecture at the seminary where i teach, i saw a female student whom id not seen in months. Jan 02, 2020 deborahs story is found in judges, chapters 4 and 5. The book includes many of the most graphic, violent, and disturbing scenes in all scripturesome in the name of righteousness. The poetry in chapter 5, the song of deborah, smacks of realism and emphasizes the role of women. The book ends with two very disturbing stories that show how incredibly lawless the people have become. You can read the full story about her in judges 45. Learn about her courage and prophecy in this video, part of our judges series and.
Jan 02, 2020 judges chapter 5 then records the song of deborah and barak, written to rejoice in gods victory over the canaanites. In our last study, we learned about three of the twelve judges of israel that were studying in the book. Barak with deborah went to kadesh cleanse where he. The following seven books continue their story in the promised land, describing the peoples. What we learn about faith and courage from judge deborah in. Tragedy and hope in the book of judges bibleproject. The story of deborah in the bible, judge, prophetess. Because israels men were unfit to judge, god chose a woman for the job, partly to shame the men who should have taken the leadership. Deborah judges deborah judges bible deborah judges bible.
Deborah and the book of judges by avi lazerson the story of deborah the prophetess which is told in the book of judges shoftim in hebrew is a story that has a special relevance for our generation. Judges 4 niv deborah again the israelites did evil. The prophetessjudge, the general and the hammer woman. The song of deborah is a very ancient poem, one of the earliest writings that the bible preserves. Deborahs story offers us an important reminder of the power and freedom of god, and serves to rebuke us for our own cowardice and lack of faith. Really, there are quite a number of good women described in the scriptures, but precious few of them get much recognition. Sisera, the commander of his army, was based in harosheth haggoyim. Firstly, to better understand deborah, we have to discover the world she lived in. Deborah again the israelites did evil in the eyes of the lord, now that ehud was dead. The canaanites had 900 chariots of iron and ruled over israel for 20 years judges 4. Ironically, in this book we meet many heroes of faith.
Othneil, ehud, shamgar, deborah, gideon, tola, jair, jephtha, ibzan, elon, abdon, and samson appear as judges of israel in that order in the book of judges. The story of deborah is in judges 4, and the song is in judges 5. Deborah has an impressive resume of judge, warrior, poet, and prophet as well. Crafts for children about deborah in the book of judges. Deborah and jael today were turning our attention to the book of judges as we continue to explore the stories of some of the women of the bible. The book of judges follows the book of joshua which is the sequel to the five books of moses. The fourth of the judges who ruled over the jewish people after the death of joshua, was not a man, but a woman, one of the most famous of all times, the prophetess deborah.
The craft project you complete about the bible story of the israelite judge deborah will determine if students come away with a tangible connection to the story or forget it altogether. Deborah told barak that god commanded him to lead an attack against the forces of jabin king of canaan. As the story opens in judges 4, deborah is already a judge, settling disputes. Barak refused to fight unless deborah accompanied him. The prophetessjudge, the general and the hammer woman part 1, a bible story about deborah as told by sophia prinsloo on awardwinning children\s chapel site, featuring bible stories from a variety of authors, excellent christian resources for children, and over 140 links to other christian and familyfriendly sites for kids.
The story of the hebrews defeat of the canaanites led by sisera, under the prophetic leadership of deborah and the military leadership of barak, is related in prose judges chapter 4 and repeated in poetry chapter 5, which is known as the song of deborah. Some scholars have suggested that her position as judge was itself a judgment on the weakwilled men of israel. Take captive your captives, son of abinoam judges 5. So the lord sold them into the hands of jabin king of canaan, who reigned in hazor. Apr 12, 2019 deborahs concluding words validate jaels action, pronouncing her most blessed of women judges 5. The book of judges follows the book of joshua which is. Summary of the book of judges the story of the bible. Deborah was an uncommon leader because she was a woman. Deborah is the only female judge whose story is recounted in the book of judges. The book of judges records six such major invasions. The lyrics encourage the actions of deborah and barak, saying, wake up, wake up, deborah.
Judges chapter 5 gives the same story in poetic form. Judges chapter 4, the story of deborah and barak by. According to the book of judges, deborah was a prophetess of the god of the israelites, the. The story opens when deborah, obeying her fathers instruction to return home, is given in marriage to lappidoth.
The story of deborah in the bible, judge, prophetess, mother. Deborah is a character in jaels story and one of the reasons i read this book next was to hear the other side of the scene id already read from jaels perspective. The title refers to the leaders israel had from the time of the elders who outlived joshua until the time of the monarchy. The book of judges includes several interesting genres. Jan 23, 2014 prophet deborah is the only female judge in the torah. But he worries they dont stand a chance against canaanite commander sisera and his modern technology. This chapter in scripture, often referred to as the song of deborah, is believed to be written as early as the 12th century bc and is considered by many biblical scholars as one of the earliest examples of hebrew poetry. In our last study, we looked at chapter 3 of the book of judges and the first three of the judges of israel. However, difficulties inherent in dating historical biblical events of this period, for which the main source is the bible itself, render chronological order uncertain. In the narrative of the hebrew bible, it covers the time between the conquest described in the book of joshua and the establishment of a kingdom in the books of samuel, during which biblical judges served as temporary leaders. One of the biggest travesties of skipping the book of judges in sunday school is that one of the greatest role models in the bible for our little girls is the fourth judge, deborah. Jan 17, 2012 one of the biggest travesties of skipping the book of judges in sunday school is that one of the greatest role models in the bible for our little girls is the fourth judge, deborah. The second was by the moabites and came from the southeast judges 3. Learn about her courage and prophecy in this video, part of our judges series and curriculum.
Like the book of lamentations and the gospel of mark, it leaves a reader feeling breathless. She is mentioned as the only female leader in the book of judges, a woman who followed the lord and was greatly used by him to provide direction and encouragement to israel. This passage, often called the song of deborah, is believed to date as early as the 12th century bc and is possibly the earliest example of hebrew poetry. Someone had taught her that a godly woman leading meant a man had failed somewhere. Key personalities include othniel, ehud, deborah, gideon, abimelech, jephthah, samson, and delilah. Similar designations go to mary, the mother of jesus luke 2. There are valuable lessons to be learned in the book of judges. Chapter 4 makes the chief enemy jabin, king of hazor present tell elqedah, about three miles. As i said we will find her in the book of judges, and the bible sort of goes like this. Dec 14, 2017 this story of deborah from the bible, book of judges, chapt 4 is an inspirational example of the prophetess and leader of israel that with god all things are possible as deborah s army of 10,000. Tabor he gathered his army and went to the kishonriver.
Today, the way to peace is found in leading people to christ and stirring in christians to do the same. The book of judges, sefer shoftim is the seventh book of the hebrew bible and the christian old testament. If you are teaching old testament stories in chronilogical order this could be a good time to begin memorizing the names of the 39 books of the old testament. You have the first five books of the bible that are known as the pentateuch, or the torah, or the law. Glad to have you here to share another slice of daily bread.
This summary of the book of judges provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of judges. The powerful woman of deborah and the book of judges. This poem celebrates her victory over the canaanites. Lets take a look at several bible passages to better understand the role and impact of deborah. When deborah received instruction from god, she moved to act on it. Deborah lived somewhere about 1150 bce, about a century or so after the hebrews entered canaan. Book of judges are acknowledged as leaders after military victory. Deborah judges 45 bible commentary theology of work. This story of deborah from the bible, book of judges, chapt 4 is an inspirational example of the prophetess and leader of israel that with god all things are possible as deborah s army of 10,000.
Deborah, one of the most talked about women in the bible, tells barak they should take on the canaanite army. Deborah was a leader, a judge, and a prophetess in israel one to whom god could reveal his secrets. The gospel message must be received and accepted by mans spirit the woman. Book of judges overview insight for living ministries.
Her story is told in both prose judges 4 and poetry judges 5. Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans. God called her to a prominent position as a prophetess and judge at a time in history when he commonly appointed men to those positions. Othniel, gideon, samson, shamgar, deborah, jephthah, ehud. Deborah, prophet and heroine in the old testament judg. Generally speaking, the women of the bible who achieve prominence do so through either marriage or motherhood. The book of judges contains the history of about 300 years when israel had no king. The book of judges highlights six judges during this time and shows their increasing corruption. Instead, god appointed special people, called judges to lead the people.
These judges start off fairly well othniel, ehud, deborah but become increasingly worse gideon, jephthah, samson. In judges 5, we read judge deborahs story again, but this time as a poem. Barak with deborah went to kadesh cleanse where he summoned and led the 10,000 men. Really, there are quite a number of good women described in the scriptures, but precious few of them get much recognition in most sunday school curriculum. I asked where she got that idea, and she said it was right out of the book of judgesdeborahs story, in fact. The story judges 45 describes the story of a jewish leader named deborah. Out of the judges named, only three are well known which are deborah, gideon, and samson. But may they who love you be like the sun when it rises in its strength.
In judges 5, we read judge deborah s story again, but this time as a poem. Deborah is introduced, as are the other 11 judges in the book of. The account of deborah and barak is found in judges 4 and 5 in the old testament. Crafts for children about deborah in the book of judges synonym. Its author is anonymous but it is usually assumed that samuel, the prophet wrote it. Moses had led gods people out of egyptian bondage and.
In this tumultuous time, sisera, a canaanite, is terrorizing the israelites. Judges 45 is unusual in that it chronicles a slice of biblical history first in. Now deborah was a judge that lived in about 1150 bc. Deborah, old testament judge and prophet, is the focus of the second book in prolific author smiths the crimson cord daughters of the promised land series. One easily imagines deborah strumming and beckoning barak to walk and sing with her among their. Deborahs final legacy reads, so the land rested for forty years judges 5. The story reached its present shape much later in israels history. Prophet deborah is the only female judge in the torah.
In our last study, we learned about three of the twelve judges of israel that were studying in the book of judges. When sisera heard the news that barak and his army had gone up to mt. Deborahs story is found in judges, chapters 4 and 5. Judges 4 niv deborah again the israelites did evil bible gateway. The book of judges chronicles israels historical and spiritual life in canaan during this pivotal period in old testament history. This story of deborah from the bible, book of judges, chapt 4 is an inspirational example of the prophetess and leader of israel that with god all things are possible as deborahs army of 10,000. According to author joseph telushkin in his book jewish literacy, the only thing known about deborahs private life was the name of her husband, lapidot or lappidoth. The people recognize her wisdom and come to her for counsel and conflict resolution judges 4. Jesus baraks work in men must be accompanied by the holy spirit deborah. Her story is told in the book of judges, chapters 4 and 5. Outline of the book of judges the first was the mesopotamian invasion from the northeast judges 3. So the lord sold them into the hands of jabin king of.