A Skirt On A Platform Of Suits

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.” So Barak led his 10,000 warriors down the slopes of Mount Tabor into battle.

HITTING THE GLASS CEILING? Feeling outnumbered by the guys? Feel like the good old boys’ club is giving everyone else the edge? As women, sometimes we can feel out of the loop or passed over, and Judge Deborah could have felt that way too. She is the only woman judge included in the Bible.

But God had obviously called her, for people would travel long distances just to have her judge their cases. Her wisdom and fairness were known throughout the kingdom. Even Barak wouldn’t go into battle without her:

She sent for Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali and said to him, “The LORD, the God of Israel, commands you: ‘Go, take with you ten thousand men of Naphtali and Zebulun and lead them up to Mount Tabor. I will lead Sisera, the commander of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his troops to the Kishon River and give him into your hands.’”

Barak said to her, “If you go with me, I will go; but if you don’t go with me, I won’t go.”

“Certainly I will go with you,” said Deborah. “But because of the course you are taking, the honor will not be yours, for the LORD will deliver Sisera into the hands of a woman.” So Deborah went with Barak to Kedesh.

And that is exactly what happened: Jael lured the king in for a bite to eat and a nap, then “nailed” him with a tent peg through the temple. God gave the opportunity and the credit to a woman.

As you seek what God has for you to do, stay focused on his wisdom and encouragement.

Know that God hasn’t forgotten you because of your gender—keep being yourself, and like Deborah and Jael, your moment will come.