Ancient Words — Judge Debbie (…not Judge Judy)
The popular TV show with Judge Judy is watched by many as she issues decisions for the right, but a judge far greater than her is told of in the book of Judges. Deborah became the fourth judge of Israel following the judges of Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar. Judge Debbie was “raised up” by God to lead Israel to peace after they had been captured by Jabin, a king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor. Her story is told in Judges 4 with her victory song published in Judges 5.
Like all of the 15 judges who led Israel during a 310 year span of time, the Spirit of the Lord was upon her and mighty was her rule for over 40 years. No marble courthouse was needed for this judge; she ruled a nation of about two million from under a large palm tree in the hill country of Ephraim. Judge Debbie needed a secretary of defense to lead her army of the enslaved people so a man named Barak was chosen for the job. She spoke with authority from God as she instructed Barak to take 10,000 men from two Israel tribes to go and fight King Jabin’s army and return independence to Israel after 20 years of oppression. Sisera, the commander of the king’s army was equipped with a war inventory of 900 iron chariots and was a formidable enemy of contention. Deborah was fearless with her trust in the Lord and told Barak that she would lure Sisera, troops and chariots, into the Kishon River for a surprise attack by Barak. Barak was not as courageous as Judge Debbie and would not go unless she accompanied him. The judge agreed but only with the prophecy that honor for this capture would not go to him but to a woman. The time of battle was now at hand and Judge Debbie told Barak, “Go! This is the day the Lord has given Sisera into your hands.” As Barak advanced with his army of 10,000, the Lord routed the army of Sisera and his chariots and all were put to the sword. Only General Sisera escaped.
Fleeing to the tent of Heber and his wife Jael, Sisera sought refuge from friends of King Jabin himself. Thinking he was safe, Jael warmed the beleaguered warrior with a cup of milk and a warm fleece blanket. As the general lay fast asleep, Jael drove a tent peg through his temple and fastened his head to the ground. This action emboldened Israel and King Jabin was now hunted down by the army of Israel. Judge Deborah restored peace to her country with this military victory then ruled Israel with peace for the next 40 years. Jael, the wife of Herber, received the honor for killing Sisera just as Judge Debbie had predicted.
The Song of Moses is sung after a great defeat of Pharoah in Exodus 15, the Song of David is sung after his great defeat of King Saul in 2 Samuel 22, and the Song of Deborah is no less a song of victory by Judge Debbie with defeating the oppressing nation and giving peace to the land. Deborah honored the Lord, trusted His laws, obeyed His commands, performed with courage – and the nation was at peace for 40 years. Thankfully America has never been oppressed or enslaved by another nation but… has there ever been a period of 40 years of peace in our nation’s history? “Peace, Perfect Peace, by thronging duties pressed: To do the will of Jesus this is rest. Peace, Perfect Peace with sorrows surging round: On Jesus bosom naught but calm is found.” Want peace in your soul, want peace in your marriage, want peace in your family, want peace in your church, want peace in your community, country…. the world? Try the spirit in Deborah – fearless, obedient, honorable and courageous to her Lord and God. Drive the tent peg into the enemy and express the victory as Deborah did in her song – “So that all your enemies perish, O Lord! But may they who love You be like the sun when it rises in its strength (Judges 5:31).” And as the Ancient Words have revealed, maybe you too will sing a new song!