Deborah Warrior Princess ∙∙
Barak said to her [Deborah], “If you will go with me, I will go, but if you will not go with me, I will not go.” – Judges 4:8
Judges 4:3-14
3 Then the people of Israel cried out to the LORD for help.
4 Deborah, the wife of Lappidoth, was a prophet who was judging Israel at that time.
5 . . . the Israelites would go to her for judgment.
6 One day, she sent for Barak . . . She said to him, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, commands you: Call out 10,000 warriors from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun at Mount Tabor.
7 And I will call out Sisera, commander of Jabin’s army, along with his chariots and warriors, to the Kishon River. There, I will give you victory over him.”
8 Barak told her, “I will go, but only if you go with me.”
9 “Very well,” she replied, “I will go with you. But you will receive no honor in this venture, for the LORD’s victory over Sisera will be at the hands of a woman.” So Deborah went with Barak to Kedesh.
14 Then Deborah said to Barak, “Get ready! This is the day the LORD will give you victory over Sisera, for the LORD is marching ahead of you.”
The archaeological world was rocked by the revelation that a reputed Viking warrior, long presumed to be male, was actually a woman. This unexpected discovery, akin to unearthing a real-life Xena Warrior Princess, has challenged traditional gender roles associated with the Vikings.
This female war leader was laid to rest in the mid-10th century, her grave replete with lethal weapons and two horses – elements typically associated with male burials. This led historians and archaeologists to initially identify the remains as male. However, a study published in the American Journal of Physical Anthropology has debunked this assumption. They were wrong!
In fact, the remains belonged to a woman aged over 30 and of considerable height for the period, standing around 5 feet 6 inches tall, according to archaeologist Charlotte Hedenstierna-Jonson from Uppsala University, who led the study.
The grave artifacts provide compelling evidence of her warrior status. She was buried with a full arsenal, including a sword, an ax, a spear, armor-piercing arrows, a battle knife, shields, and two horses. Intriguingly, she also had a war-planning game in her lap. It may have been used to develop battle tactics and strategies, indicating she was a powerful military leader. Hedenstierna-Jonson asserted, “She’s most likely planned, led, and taken part in battles.”
The discovery marks the first genetic proof that women were Viking warriors. Osteologist Anna Kjellström of Stockholm University noticed that the skeleton had delicate cheekbones and feminine hip bones. They conducted DNA analysis and confirmed it was a woman, forever altering our understanding of Viking society and women’s roles within it.
“This image of the male warrior in a patriarchal society was reinforced by research traditions and contemporary preconceptions. Hence, the biological sex of the individual was taken for granted,” said Hedenstierna-Jonson. The Stockholm and Uppsala universities led the research. (https://phys.org/news/2017-09-genetic-proof-women-viking-warriors.html)
The book of Judges covers the period between Joshua and David. During this period, 15 judges or leaders ruled over the nation of Israel. It was a truly topsy-turvy time. The judges were often a combination of civic administrators, civil judges, and spiritual leaders. One of those judges was Deborah. As a judge, she held a position of authority that commanded respect.
Deborah was not merely an administrator and judge but also a prophet. She frequently received messages from the Father. She then spoke on His behalf.
Judges 4:4-5
4 Deborah, the wife of Lappidoth, was a prophet who was judging Israel at that time.
5 . . . the Israelites would go to her for judgment.
How did Deborah see herself (Judges 5:7)? She was “merely a mother in Israel, not a great warrior or even a prophetess, though she filled both of those roles. A mother is an unlikely leader of a successful revolutionary war” (Constable). Yet she becomes a reluctant warrior princess.
REFLECT & PRAY
There is a profound and important lesson here that is seen throughout the Scriptures. When men are unwilling or unable to do the task that the Father has in mind, He will prepare and raise up a woman in their place. This should inspire women of all ages to be faithful, loyal, and available to carry out any assignment the Father has for them. Consider Esther, Ruth, and Mary.
Father thank You that when You have a task to be done, You will rise up and choose the perfect person to get the job done. May each child of the King aspire to be that person.
INSIGHT
Barak was the commander-in-chief of Israel’s army at the time. Once Deborah received the message from the Father, she took the initiative and sent for Barak. She lays out the Father’s battle plan and promises ultimate victory.
Judges 4:6-7
6 One day, she sent for Barak, son of Abinoam, who lived in Kedesh in the land of Naphtali. She said to him, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, commands you: call out 10,000 warriors from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun at Mount Tabor.
7 And I will call out Sisera, commander of Jabin’s army, along with his chariots and warriors, to the Kishon River. There I will give you victory over him.”
How did Barak respond? He thought the plan sounded great. But he was very reluctant to lead the army into battle. After all, the opposition had 900 iron chariots. Even though victory was guaranteed, he was intimidated. He was frightened, if not petrified. He made a rather peculiar and unusual request.
Judges 4:8 Barak told her, “I will go, but only if you go with me.”
Undoubtedly, Deborah was bemused and a tad shocked. At that time and place in history, going to war was man’s work. Women were not directly involved in battles. Israel was a male-dominated society.
Judges 4:9 “Very well,” she replied, “I will go with you. But you will receive no honor in this venture, for the LORD’s victory over Sisera will be at the hands of a woman.”
Deborah harshly confronts Barak for his cowardliness. His request not only brings dishonor to him but also shames the entire army of Israel. Today, she might say, “You are a disgrace and a wimp. But for the honor of the Father and the safety of Israel, I will do it.”
When the men of Israel act like children, the Father treats them like children. He literally puts a mom in charge. What classic irony. So Deborah went with Barak to Kedesh. And the rest is history.
Judges 4:14 Then Deborah said to Barak, “Get ready! This is the day the LORD will give you victory over Sisera, for the LORD is marching ahead of you.”
But there’s more.
The Hebrew word baraq is transliterated into English as Barak. Barak means lightning. At the same time, the Hebrew word devorah is transliterated into English as Deborah. Deborah means bee. The enemy was not struck by lightning, but instead, they were stung by a bee (apologies to Mohamed Ali).
¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 11-15-1
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