Real Hope: Lessons on Leadership Through Deborahናሙና

Deborah Arose

The Israelites were beaten down by 20 years of slavery until Deborah ‘arose’. They were too tired and discouraged to fight. They needed someone to inspire them, and the Lord chose Deborah. Of all the things Deborah could have legitimately called herself – judge, prophetess, deliverer, intercessor, worshiper – she chose first and foremost to call herself a ‘mother’. She saw all of Israel as her children and longed for all her children (literal and figurative) to have peace, restoration and security. Women with positions of such power and influence were uncommon in that culture at the time. But scripture shows us that God raises up, equips, empowers, and promotes His obedient servants without regard to their gender, social standing, abilities, or lack thereof. ‘Though He requires no human aid, nevertheless He is glad to welcome the efforts of those who enhance their skills to further His purpose,’ says Matthew Henry. Verse 7 says no one in Israel would fight until Deborah ‘arose’ to stand in the face of fear and an impossible situation, willing to make a difference.

God has entrusted each of us with natural and spiritual gifts necessary to fulfill His purposes. Deborah busily exercised her gifts of prophecy and wisdom. Breaking through stereotypes, she rose as a political and spiritual leader over Israel. If she had not been obedient to act on what the Lord had told her to do, nothing would have changed. Often, it’s in difficult times that one’s true nature is revealed. May we all arise with humility and step into God’s purpose.

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you (Isaiah 60:1 NIV).

Written by HEIDI WYSMAN