Deborah: A Leader of Courage and Faith

DEBORAH THE PROPHETESS —Judges 4–5 Israel was struggling again. After turning away

from God, the people were being mistreated by a powerful Canaanite king named Jabin.

His commander, Sisera, led a huge army with nine hundred iron chariots.

These chariots were strong, fast, and frightening, and for twenty years

the Israelites felt trapped and helpless. During this time lived a wise and faithful woman named

Deborah. She was a prophetess, someone God spoke to directly. She was also a judge,

meaning people came to her for guidance and decisions. Deborah would sit under a special

palm tree, and people traveled from all over Israel to ask for her wisdom. She listened to