Women are not the frail things the world has thought them to be and tried to convince them that they are. Women do have the potential to do great things and affect their world positively; a good example is Deborah. I refer to Deborah as the woman who was not afraid to go to war.
Deborah was a woman who judged Israel during the time of the judges; she was also a prophetess. During her time, Israel had sinned and was under the oppression of King Jabin of Canaan, and Deborah called Barak, the leader of the army and gave him a sure word of prophecy from the Lord. Barak was to go into battle as God was set to deliver the enemy into the hands of Israel. Barak was afraid and stated that he would not go unless Deborah went with him. Deborah was not afraid to go to war because she was sure of the word of the Lord. She agreed to go but informed Barak that he would not have the honour eventually because God would give it to another, a woman and we see this happen indeed. Jael, a woman, killed Sisera and the honour that should have been Barak’s, God gave to her.
The Leadership Lessons from the Life of Deborah are;
- Great women do not allow fear to stop them. The two main women mentioned in this story were not afraid; Deborah was not afraid to go to war, and Jael was not afraid to kill Sisera. Barak was a man and a trained soldier, but he was afraid to go to war. Fear has nothing to do with gender and so if you are fearful it is not because you are a woman, as fear is not synonymous with femininity.
- Great women do not make excuses. Too many women use the excuse of a husband and children to their detriment.
- Great women are not afraid to speak the truth. They say it as it is. Deborah was not afraid to tell Barak to prepare for war, and she certainly was not afraid to tell him that the honour would go to another, a woman.
- Great women are willing to go beyond the call of duty. When Deborah accompanied Barak to battle, she was going beyond the call of duty. She was a judge, not a soldier and had no business on the battlefield, but she went because Barak asked and because she knew it was the only way he would agree to go to war.
- Great women speak from a place of conviction. They know, and they are sure that they know before they speak. It is for this reason that they are not afraid to take steps in line with their words. Deborah was certain that God would give Israel victory, so she wasn’t afraid to accompany Barak to the war front if that was what it took to convince him.
- Great women do what is necessary to bring victory to their team, even if it means going beyond the call of duty. Deborah accompanied Barak to war because it was necessary for Israel’s victory.
- Great women understand that they have been created by God to be much more than a wife and mother. They walk in their God-given purpose and can fulfil their destiny. A woman with a family can fulfil the destiny God has for her and so if you are not doing what God created you to do it is not because you have a family. Many women once married abandon their life purpose; you are created by God to be more than a wife and mother. Deborah was the wife of Lapidoth, and I am sure she was also a mother, but that did not stop her from being a national leader, a judge, and a prophetess; and she was well respected too as all Israel came to her for judgement.
- When a woman dares to arise and walk in her purpose, her true power is unleashed, and men have no option but to respect her. They know that no battle of life can be won without her input. Barak needed the presence of Deborah as an assurance that the battle would be won and that he would return alive! If men disrespect you, sister, you are not walking in your God-given purpose. When a woman walks in her purpose, she does not have to ask for respect and she does not need to seek equality.
Women arise, you have more to offer your world than being a wife and a mother. There are too many Deborahs wasting away and abusing the potential that has been loaded inside of them. You are more than you think you are, rise and take your place in destiny.
