The Deborah anointing for today (read Judges 4-5)
Setting the stage: We are living in challenging times.
o Political and social unrest.
o Media has many voices, all with “expert” opinions. Much discernment is needed.
o The church’s doctrinal positions are under attack – marriage, relationships between men/women, wrong doctrines, worldly positions, and teachings, some preach “another” gospel (Gal 1:8).
Yet, Christ is purifying His people. He is coming back for a spotless bride and a great harvest.
What role do women play? Examples:
o New Testament: Mary the mother of Jesus, Mary Magdalene, Priscilla, Lydia.
o Old Testament: Ruth, Naomi, Myriam, Esther, Rahab
o Deborah: 2 chapters in the book of Judges 4-5 (my testimony).
Characteristics of Deborah – she mirrors the Proverbs 31 woman.
Judges 4: 4 Now Deborah, a prophet, the wife of Lappidoth, was leading (judging) in Israel at that time [NIV]
1. Multifunctional, multi-purposed. Deborah was graced by God as a:
Leader/governor/judge (H) šāpaṭ - to judge, decide; lead, defend, vindicate, govern.
Prophet (one who hears the Lord and speaks/instructs on His behalf).
Military strategist (warrior – she revealed to Barack the military strategy from the Lord that would bring victory).
Wife – married to Lappidoth
Songwriter/worshipper (song of Deborah - Judges 5:1-31)
Nurturer (mother in Israel - Judges 5:7)
2. Uniquely chosen: Deborah was the first and only female judge of Israel.
We are unique! Just as there are over 400,000 flowering plant species. We are each unique plants and flowers in God’s Garden, and He has a unique calling for us.
We are not of this world. Romans 12:2 We are not cut from the world’s pattern. We are to be imitators of Christ and His word.
We are chosen. 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special/peculiar people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. We are peculiar people. Don’t try to fit in! You never will.
3. Positioned correctly: Deborah held her court under the “tree of Deborah” (a date palm tree). What can we extract from this?
Positioned with public influence and impact: We all have a public life, spheres of influence, in public spaces, and places among people to impact. Work, families, church, etc.,
Positioned with recognized authority/mantle: Her place of grace was called the “Tree/palm of Deborah”. It was recognized as a place where the people “went up”/ascended to find wisdom. There, she operated and administered the authority and mantle God gave her. She owned it! Her empowerment was not for selfish gain or to manipulate, but to give guidance and deliverance to Israel. So, too we must know what God has given us and why. Our authority is not self-serving, but to liberate others, in our sphere of influence, into the fullness of their destiny and inheritance!
Positioned in fellowship/community: what goes on under your “tree” is important. Trees provide wood used to make tables which are places of fellowship, communion, and impartation of the nourishment God gives. She was open, humble and accessible: her court was not in the typical ‘high styled’ courts but among the people, in the open. Be open, and accessible to others. Share your life, and your space with those God sends. Let your “tree” cover people with healing, wisdom, prayers, and love. Be known as a person others can come to for prayer and godly advice. Be known as one whom the Spirit of wisdom rests upon. Be known as a mother in Zion, a compassionate one. Let others “sit at your table” to receive nourishment. As you inherit what God has given, lead others into their inheritance. As you receive impart what God has given you.
Positioned for divine visitation and provision (for God’s vision): trees are symbolic of God’s visitation and a place where divine provision meets our needs. Moses encountered God in a burning bush. Abraham encountered God at the trees of Mamre which were known as the “Oaks of Abraham”. When we are rightly positioned in Christ and occupy the space God is giving us, He makes room and provision for us there.
Positioned through intimacy, worship: Judges 4:5. Deborah held court between Ramah (elevated spot) and Bethel (God’s house/temple) in the hill country of Ephraim.
Intimacy – Bethel: House of God/where His presence is/place of worship.
Worship: Judges 5 – a song of Deborah which was praise unto God. Getting back to our first love! First things first! Love for the simple things, God’s presence, His word, and worship.
Elevation: hill country (spiritual, moral, life, and godliness).
Unconventional: not a typical court setting. Wherever we find ourselves we can transform it into a place of fruitfulness and need not be fearful of unusual spaces, places, and people.
Fruitful and flourishing: The date palm tree was a tall, flourishing tree. Ps 92:12-14 The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age; they will stay fresh and green.
4. The name Deborah means “honeybee”. Some characteristics of Honeybees
Busy - making honey: honey is a symbol of God’s word, pleasant words, revelation, manna from heaven, and the provision of God. Think of the Proverbs 31 woman. God’s word transforms us and others and makes us fruitful. Let’s be busy producing fruit from God’s word. “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone” (Colossians 4:6).
Resourceful and productive: they make honey from nectar. Transformative power!
Social: they live in colonies; social gatherers
Adaptable: honeybees adapt to different conditions to produce.
Protective: mothering nature, they guard the entrance to their nests (Prov 4:23 - Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.)
5. Discerning: the ability not just to tell right from wrong, but right from almost right. It is important to discern:
God’s voice, from our own wants and desires.
The times and seasons of God.
What God is doing in our lives, who He has called us to be, and what He has called us to do at specific times and seasons.
6. Wise: James 3:17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is, first of all, pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Heavenly wisdom gives us the ability to discern and judge impartially.
7. Courageous, resolved, and trustworthy. Judges 4:8 Barak said to her, “If you go with me, I will go; but if you don’t go with me, I won’t go.” Barak was the leader, but he trusted Deborah’s prophetic insight, her God-given wisdom, her courage, her resolve, and her fierce loyalty to God and Israel. This is the type of confidence our husbands, children, employers, employees, and others should have in us. When we are put in charge, we build and inspire confidence, so that everyone can WIN.
WHY? It is God’s appointed time for us to arise
Judges 4: 1-3 Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD, now that Ehud was dead. So, the LORD sold them into the hands of Jabin king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor. Sisera, the commander of his army, was based in Harosheth Haggoyim. Because he had nine hundred chariots fitted with iron and had cruelly oppressed the Israelites for twenty years, they cried to the LORD for help.
Deborah is a deliverer, raised, like Moses, at a crucial time when God wants to deliver people from cruel oppressors/oppression. We are women who say enough is enough and arise in God’s power to do something about the injustices and oppression we see! We stand in prayer against:
Financial oppression
Sicknesses and disease
War: between nations; within societies, within families - against righteousness and Kingdom values, and against the family structure and family values.
Abuse: emotional, physical, psychological, sexual.
Absence of godly vision and guidance and famine of truth and biblical doctrine (relative truth abounds).
Self-centeredness, victimization, societal inequalities in education, resources, etc.
WHO? You and me! Here we are Lord send us! IT’S TIME! RISE UP! (Judges 4-5)
FAITH DECLARATIONS
The Holy Spirit’s power is working in us, equipping us to be multifunctional, multipurpose, adaptable, and versatile women of God. God has called and equipped me to lead, in ministry, business, education, health, my family, and community, to be a mother to this generation!
According to 2 Tim 1:7 - We are not fearful women, but women filled with faith, power, love, and a sound mind! We will not allow the enemy to retard us through failures of the past, emotional anxieties, weariness, mental confusion, relationship issues, and other drama!
I am courageous, bold, and filled with divine wisdom, prophetic insight, and strategies given by the Holy Spirit to deliver my family, community, and this generation into God’s purpose and destiny.
We will not limit ourselves or what the Holy Spirit wants to be in us, thinking we are not enough because Christ in us is more than enough! According to Colossians 1: 16- 17 ...all things were created through him and for him and He is before all things, and in Him, all things hold together. Therefore, I am limitless in Christ and can do all things through Christ!
According to Phil 2:13, We will not strive in our own strength to do all these things. Our human striving and pushing will only bring us stress. No! We will rely on and rest in His grace and anointing that works in us to give us the capacity to be and power to do all He calls us to.
Phil 2:13 For it is God who works in you (us) to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
By Carol Hull-Jackson
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