Women in Leadership - Deborah & Barak

Along The Way – Deborah & Barak In Shared Leadership                     Judges 4

(Written by Kevin A. Hall    05.26.17)

A few weeks ago, I read a portion of scripture in which the Apostle Paul gave instructions to the church about women in leadership roles. In 1 Timothy 2:12 he states, “I do not permit a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man; she is to remain quiet”. Now this verse got me thinking…Is this a broad statement? Does this apply only to this one occasion that Paul was concerned about? Many in our churches use this text as proof of male only leadership. While this writing will not address this issue, I have since then found numerous times in which the Lord shows His heart for the contribution of women to His Mission. In so many instances we see Him empowering women to lead the charge, and quite a few times, the men were absent. I can think of Lydia who was the first European convert of the Apostle Paul who became a key figure in the New Testament Church (Acts 16). She was the leader of the women in worship by the river. He was seeking out a place of worship as was his custom. Wherever there were 10 families, a synagogue was found. However, these women met by the river. Lydia and the rest of the women displayed their faith as unrecognized religions were prohibited in the city of Philippi. Where were the men? In the absence of men, our courageous women have no choice but to step up! God bless our very gifted women of whom many are gifted above men. I am currently assisting a church here in Andros Bahamas and one thing is clear - there are no men in the church. The church I attend has a male pastor, a male musician (part time) and a male elder who is advanced in age . It is the women who are playing the role of pastors, assistant pastors, evangelists and teachers.

                To this end, I find Deborah. This woman of God was in position during a time when the people of God had lost their faith.

Israel continued in her backslide from God. She is now on the backside of 80 years of “rest” under the leadership of Ehud the Judge, who feared God. Ease has a way of encouraging apostasy. Ease often slackens our attitude of worship, prayer, consecration and praise to God. The Israelites began to indulge in lusts, worshipping other gods and false idols. They did not restrain themselves from evil. I find that I must make an effort to restrain myself, if I wish to live holy. Holy living takes effort. We are encouraged to “work out our salvation”. Nobody said this journey of Faith would be easy. Well, at least Jesus did not say it would be easy – “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). Faith-full living requires effort and restraint. Israel played the harlot, therefore God “sold them into the hand of Jabin, king of Canaan” (Judges 4:2).

                They became servants to a nation who they were told to “cast out of their lands”. God had instructed them to “remove the Canaanites from the land”. Failure to completely follow God’s command will undoubtedly lead to pain and regret. How are you doing here? Their lack of follow-through came back to haunt them. Jabin caused them pain and mischief for 27 years! Can you believe that? 27 years of pain because of sin. How long have I been denied blessing because of my sin? The sins of the Israelites caused them to be oppressed by the sinner king. The sinner was supposed to be under their feet. They were to be the rulers, not to be the oppressed. Instead, the sinner king had his foot on the neck of the saints. Tragedy. Yet we often live like this. Our sin/s deny us the presence and power of the living God to live as coregents in this world, dominating every created thing. How I long to be victorious in every area of my life!

                The good news is that when we cry to the Lord, He will hear us. The people cried unto God. He was willing to provide relief, and His answer came in the form of a most capable and willing servant – Deborah. She was a hard worker, she knew God and His ways. She possessed great wisdom (she listened to God) and was a prophetess. She made the ways of God known. How we need more women and men like this in our world. She was devoted to the people, serving them under the palm trees as a judge/magistrate. She was married to Lapidoth. She was the Judge during the oppressive reign of Jabin. The people made their appeal for relief to her. She was their intercessor. God heard her. He was ready to fight for His people again. This encourages me to tell you that should you need help, you only need to call out to God and He will grant mercy. That verse in Hebrews I used earlier continues – “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 14:16). If we seek Him, we will find Him.

                Deborah was not a military leader, so she found one. His name was Barak – Finally a man who was ready to work for God. He was from the tribe of Naphtali. This tribe of Israel suffered the most under Jabin’s oppression. He was a warrior/leader, and she was a prophet/judge/leader. I believe these two could work together. And so they did. Barak could sympathize with the pain of his people. Something has to be said of the one that has experienced life and is now fit to be a guide to others. Remember Simon Peter? The Lord told him “I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith will not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Is your faith failing under the weight of life’s pressures? Simon’s did not. In fact, he was restored to God and became Peter – Rock! You can become a Rock! to many as well. Like Simon, God has already prayed for you. He guarantees success!

                God spoke through Deborah the directive – “Assemble the troops. Gather them from the tribe of Naphtali and Zebulun 10,000 strong. I will draw out Sisera, the commander of Jabin’s army, along with the troops and chariots, and I will give them into your hands” (4:7). The victory was assured. Do you notice from the text that God used the very same people who experienced the most pain? When you live it, you can better fight for it! This means you are the very person God is seeking to advance His mission. They were to assemble at Mount Tabor. I must tell you that Sisera was renowned for his leadership. He was a great man of war, commanding 900 Chariots of Iron. This was seemingly and invincible army. Kinda how we brag about the US army. God is not afraid of anyone or anything. Surely, Sisera and his army was no match for God. When you consider the obstacles of life, do you really believe God can't handle them? Nothing is too hard for God!

Ready for the Challenge?

Barak, a scaredy cat? Barak, a coward? Really?

When we finally find a man to lead, he is not willing to take the charge? What?

This is what Barak said to Deborah: “I will go, if you will go. If you will not go, I will not go” (4:8).

On the surface, it seems he had reservations. Was Barak saying that if the office of the prophet was not present with him, that he felt he would not see victory? Was he so afraid of Sisera and his chariots? Did he fear the great army of Jabin? What of his faith in God? Was it not enough that God already guaranteed him victory? All he had to do was walk into the victory, simple obedience – You go, I do! What was Barak thinking?

Matthew Henry makes a powerful observation here – “God drew the men of Jabin’s army to Himself so that He could destroy them”. This is so profound. Even as the enemy is plotting your downfall, God has already plotted the enemy’s demise. You have no reason to fear. What has God said to you? Do!

Deborah responds….      “I will go with you”.

Matthew Henry again describes what may be Barak’s reservation – “If you will go with me and advise me, and in every difficult way, tell me God’s mind… then I will go and not fear Sisera and his chariots…or else I will not go”

Could this be Barak’s heart? Could it be he just wanted the assurance of God’s presence with his every step? Could it be he wished greatly for God’s continued presence? If so, then this is exactly how we should be – “God, I will not go if you will not accompany me. If you don’t go with me, I will not go”.

Deborah agrees to go with Barak and his army of 10,000. This is a show of courage, a woman in leadership. She was willing to get down in the trenches. She would not lead from the top down. She was in the mix. As leaders, this is a commendable trait. She would labor just as her people labored. Deborah got involved.

The Caveat…. “One thing though Barak…The credit for this victory will go to a woman!” (4:9).

Spoken from the mouth of God. With her prophetess cap on, Deborah spoke of the outcome on the battle with assurance and confidence. Her faith in what God said was unshakable! May we all be like this. Faith is not just believing for what we cannot see. Faith is acting in confidence upon what God has said. Still, Barak was unmoved – “I need you near me Deborah. You must go with me”. He had his chance to make a name for himself. This was his moment. I believe Barak did not care much about who received credit. This is admirable. A woman in leadership – no problem. He was willing to work together as a team to accomplish God’s will. She spoke for God, He acted upon the command of the Lord. This seems like the definition of a winning team. This is how it should be in our homes, businesses and ministries – Not about who gets the credit. Can you see yourself working with the situation you find yourself? It’s about accomplishing God’s will and living faithful, obedient and holy lives for the sake of the kingdom.

And so, Deborah, Barak and his army of 10,000 were gathered at Mount Tabor with God on their side, ready to battle the enemy. Ready?

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