1 Timothy 2:11-15, Deborah: A Mother in Israel (4)

Was Deborah in a position of authority over men?  How does her position square with passages such as 1 Tim. 2:11-15?  Some say she was leading only because there were no good men willing to serve.  Perhaps, but the scriptures don’t actually say that.  What do we see in Scripture concerning Deborah?

1)    Deborah was a “prophetess” (4:4).  This is specifically the “feminine” form of the term “prophet.”  There were others in the OT including Miriam (Ez. 15:20), Hulda (2 Ki. 22:14; 2 Chr. 34:22) and Isaiah’s wife (Isa. 8:3).  Each of these serve in a time when there were other strong male prophets.  The “prophetess” does not require denial of Gen. 2, and in fact, emphasizes Gen. 1 (in God’s image women are able to understand God’s revelation).

2)    Deborah was a “judge” (4:4).  This is used 21 times in Judges.  They were leaders.  Deborah was the only female judge mentioned, the only judge also called a prophet (by title; many of them “heard” from God), and the only one we are told that actually judged, making decisions in a court setting.

3)    So again we ask, was she exercising an improper authority?  Our answer is “no” which comes from her attitude of submission.  She did not have an attitude of self-importance often seen today.  Note the following:

a)    4:4: Her title as “the wife of” Lapidoth; and 5:7: a “mother in Israel.”

b)    4:6; 5:1,15: Her recognition of Barak’s leadership.

c)    5:2,9: The recognition of Israel’s other leaders (princes.)

d)    5:2,9,11,13-18: The recognition of the role of the people.

e)    5:2,3,5,9,11: Her praise of God.

4)    The point is that Deborah lived for others, which is the essence of submission.  There is no conflict between Deborah and, say, Hannah or Mary (the mother of Jesus).  And no conflict with 1 Tim. 2:11-15.  God gave Deborah the messages for Barak.  They were given in a context of submission: not “I tell you” but, “has not the LORD God of Israel commanded” (4:6).  The responsibility belonged to Barak.  Consider other situations where women told their husbands what they should do: Adam and Eve, Abraham and Sarah, David and Abigail, Ahab and Jezebel, Aquila and Priscilla.  In some the woman was right, in some she was wrong.  The issue was, what did the man do with the information?

5)    Deborah leaves a great legacy:

a)    For women in general: You are created in God’s image, able to hear and understand from God, able to be Spirit-filled and used by God.

b)    For women more specifically: When you speak to your husbands, keep your attitude one of a helper and in submission.  But do speak to him as God leads.

c)    For men specifically: Reject the idea that denies a man to listen to and accept God’s leading from your wife.  Watch your attitude: listen with love!  Then, as always, walk with God.  Your wife is not an excuse for disobedience.