Deborah

About Deborah and the Jewish people’s situation

The prophet Deborah comes from the tribe Ephraim, she was sent by G-d to help the Jews after the Jewish people had committed idolatry. G-d had punished them for their sin by sending the king of Canaan to rule over them. But it was unexpected for the Jewish people to be suppressed by Sisera.

Deborah was then appointed as a prophet when the Jewish people were in much need of her help. The Jewish people and children had cried out to G-d when being oppressed by the cruel Sisera for twenty years, in the hands of the king of Canaan, Jabin . So G-d had sent them the prophet Deborah to help them out of their difficult time.

The Israelite’s sins

The Jews had begun to abandon the Torah and would imitate their troubled neighbors by doing the wrong acts that they had committed. By imitating their neighbors with the wrong actions, they began to cause trouble themselves.

The Jewish people had begun to abandon the Torah and commit idolatry, abandoning the G-d that cares for them.

Before Deborah had come, the Jews were being repressed and prayed to G-d to come and help them. Since G-d had not responded to their prayers, the Jews had become desperate since no one had come to help them/save them. They then committed the sin of idolatry. G-d had continued to not respond to their cries of help as punishment for not having faith in Him, but He had later gave the Jewish people the prophet Deborah to save them.

Their enemy

In the time of Deborah, the king and enemy of the Jewish people was the same person. The cruel Canaanite King Jabin of Hazor had mercilessly oppressed the Jewish people. Him along with his general Sisera had made the lives of the Jewish people miserable for twenty years. The Jewish people had lost their last judge throughout this period and had no kind of spiritual guidance to help them and let them get through their difficult situation. Which is why the presence of Deborah had such a great significance, she acted as their spiritual guide and gave them hope along with her assistance.

Deborah’s Role

Deborah was a spiritual judge who was very much a dedicated team player.

She did as much as she could for the Jewish people and had done all she could to make them feel better and to support them spiritually, emotionally and physically through their difficult time.

She remained true and loyal to Judaism and had helped those that had gone off the path of Judaism get back on track. She had helped the Jews use Judaism as a guidelines for spirituality and the way they live their lives, as they did before. She was very laid back, calm and spiritual. She had sat under a palm tree on a mountain and spoke to the Jewish people words of wisdom and encouragement which had lifted them out of despair.

Deborah’s Leadership

Since many of the Jewish people had committed idolatry and had lost respect for the religion, she had used her power to change that.

Since the Jewish people had longed for a Judge again, they had great respect for Deborah.

She had used her power and influence over them for the good and had urged the Jewish people to leave their evil ways and go back to G-d. And since the nation had a great respect for her, they had done just as she said.

Deborah’s Bravery

When G-d had asked Deborah to take the Jews out of the oppressive rule they were under, she was dedicated and went right to it.

She had found Barak the son of Abinoam and had asked him to be the head of the army and help them fight and win against the Canaanites.

Barak had accepted as long as Deborah would go into battle with them, which through her dedication she had accepted.

The Miracle

There was a great miracle in this story regarding the army of the enemy and the war that was supposed to happen with the Canaanite army and the Jewish army.

Although Sisera had heard of the attack the Jewish army was planning, and planned to be prepared and destroy them with his  iron chariots and cavalry, all the sudden the army had gone into confusion and terror and the terrified warriors had fled in every direction. Sisera then went to hide out in the house of Heber the Kenite. When he was sleeping there, his wife Jael had decided to get revenge on him for all the he had but the Jewish people through and had murdered him by putting a nail into his head.

How the Jews got victory

Sisera then went to hide out in the house of Heber the Kenite. When he was sleeping there, his wife Jael had decided to get revenge on him for all that he had put the Jewish people through and had murdered him by putting a nail into his head.

Power

There is a fight for power throughout the story, it starts with the king of Canaan ruling over and oppressing the Jewish people. Then later when G-d sends Deborah, she gains power by being respected by the Jewish people. The Jewish people had gone to her, respected her, and asked her for help with their problems.  There was later a fight for power between the Jewish people with Deborah on the topic of their army fighting against the Canaanites. In result Deborah and the Jewish people had won the “war” without fighting and the Jewish people were no longer oppressed and had gained back power with Deborah in control.

Role of women

Role of women is a theme that is seen throughout the entire story. Since the book of Deborah contemplates the first ever female prophet, she is seen as a strong figure in biblical history.

Deborah is seen as strong, intelligent, wise and powerful, by carrying a large and important role as a women. Deborah shows that women can be more than housewives that sit at home with the family in the biblical times, it shows how they can connect and interact with G-d, fight battles and make peace, just as men have.

Deborah vs. Samson: Personality

Deborah and Samson are very different regarding personality.

Samson was more brave and impulsive. He was quick with his actions and never scared to do anything. He always thought of what would be better for himself and his people. Since he had such great strength, he did not need to think of the safer thing to do because he could always get himself out of it with his strength.

Deborah was careful and wise. She had always thought everything through to make sure her decisions were the right ones for herself and the Jewish people. She was brave and ambitious which is seen when she does all she can to fight for the Jewish people.

Deborah vs. Samson: Achievements:

Unlike Samson, Deborah had achieved the goals that G-d had sent her out to do.

Samson had failed to save help the Israelite’s, he had gotten captured and killed himself to be free from them.

Whereas Deborah had successfully set the Israelite’s free and completed the mission that G-d had given her.

Deborah vs. Samson: Leadership style 

The two prophets both have a very different leadership style, along with different followers.

Both are respected by the Jewish people, but Samson attempts to get respect and followed by the Philistines.

Samson has his leadership by his strength and having the power of intimidating those around him.

Deborah has leadership through her wisdom and intelligence.

Both are strong leaders that try to do what’s best for their people.

They are both fearless and strong mentally, physically, and spiritually. Deborah fights for her people when she feels necessary, and has the influence on them to get them back on the spiritual path of G-d. Samson always fights for his people and their needs as well as his own.