The Song of Deborah

Judges Chapter 5

This chapter is the SONG OF DEBORAH, which she sang with Barak, son of Abinoam. I can't summarize it- too long and waaay to beautiful to summarize. So I would ask that you read it in its entirety and imagine the song of praise and victory as it was accompanied by joyous celebration. This song proclaimed God's greatness by giving him credit for the victory. It was an excellent way to preserve and retell this wonderful story from generation to generation.

Songs of praise give us a chance to focus on God and gives us a spiritual outlet and reminds us of God's faithfulness and character. We can identify with this chapter in our own daily lives in these times. Whether a great victory or a major dilemma, singing praises to God can have a positive effect on our attitudes. Keep God at the center of your life and you will have the power to fight destroyers such as power, love of money, stress, anxiety, illness and fatigue.

An outline on the character of Deborah (taken from the NLT translation Bible):
Wise leaders are rare. They accomplish great amounts of work without direct involvement because they know how to work through other people. They are able to see the big picture that often escapes those directly involved, so they make good mediators, advisers, and planners. Deborah fit this description perfectly. She had all these leadership skills, and she had a remarkable relationship with God. Deborah is among the outstanding women of history.

Her story shows she was not power hungry. She wanted to serve God. Whenever praise came her way, she gave God credit. She didn't deny or resist her position in the culture as a woman and wife, but she never allowed herself to be hindered by it either. Her story shows that God can accomplish great things through people who are willing to be led by him.

Deborah's strengths:
*Fourth and only female judge of Israel.
*Special abilities as mediator, adviser and counselor
*When called to lead, she was able to plan, direct and delegate.
*She was known for her prophetic power.
*She was a writer of songs.

Lessons from her life:
God chooses leaders by his standards, not ours.
Wise leaders choose good helpers.

Vital Statistics:
Resided: Canaan
Occupations: Prophet and judge
Relatives: Husband, Lappidoth
Contemporaries: Barak, Jael, Jabin of Hazor, Sisera

Yours in Christ,
Mary


Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH: Gabe, Wanda, Janice Long’s parents, Logan and the newly born Stella who is taking mother’s milk now and Lori (who suffered a terrible accident)and her family. Update on Stella: She has had a good day, but is far from out of the woods. Pray for her, please and her parents too.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, those who need jobs, those who are about to lose or have lost their homes. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.