Deborah’s Three-Stranded Cord

Surge Conference, 2024

This is the essence of Deborah’s story, emphasizing her unique leadership, divine guidance, and the significance of collaboration for a divine purpose.

Concept of Courage

•   Courage has diverse expressions.

•   It varies among individuals and life stages.

•   It is not uniform across different women.

Deborah or Devorah (Hebrew)

•   Found in the Book of Judges.

•   Israel lacked national leadership after Joshua.

•   Era of Judges: A period of decentralized leadership.

1.     Her Role and Influence

Judge and Prophetess:

•   Only woman in the Bible serving as both.

•   She balances her roles of judge, prophetess, dispute resolver, Torah interpreter, and military strategist.

Leadership in a Crisis:

•   Emerges during a morally and spiritually turbulent time.

•   Plays a pivotal role in guiding and protecting Israel.

2. Character Traits

•   Courageous, wise, and spiritually guided.

•   Like Moses and Samuel, serving dual roles of prophet and judge.

•   Eshet Lappidoth, often interpreted as wife of Lappidoth, can also mean:

Woman of torches, fiery woman, woman from the town of Lappidoth,

woman of lamps, and woman who helps to maintain the Menorah lamps in the Tabernacle.

3. Judicial Role

Supreme Judge:

•   Held court under a palm tree between Ramah (high hill) and Bethel (House of God).

•   Palm tree symbolizes fairness and justice.

Leadership and Influence

•   Influenced Israel through emunah (faith) and obedience.

•   Led by example, showing that leadership transcends gender.

4. Military Leadership

•   Tasks Barak to muster an army to confront Canaanite forces.

•   Their alliance begins the Three-Stranded Cord, a symbol of unity and divine collaboration.

Canaanite Battle

1. Divine Battle Plan

•   Deborah's prophetic insight guides Israel’s military strategy.

•   Mount Tabor and Kishon River become strategic locations.

2. Barak’s Hesitation, Reluctance and Faith

•   Barak’s initially hesitates to lead without Deborah.  Thus, the glory of victory will go to a woman.

•   His eventual trust and willingness to fight are bolstered by God’s Spirit in Deborah.

3. Divine Intervention

•  Divine forces bring rain, rendering Canaanite chariots useless.

•  Demonstrates that, under divine command, weather is a weapon which can alter outcomes.

Lessons from Deborah’s Story

•   Deborah’s story encourages modern women to lead with courage, wisdom, and trust / faith.

•   Women can lead effectively in various capacities by relying on divine guidance.

•   Leadership and courage are defined by character and actions, not gender.

•   It is important to be spiritually attuned to the Almighty’s guidance, and unified with others to achieve His plans.

•   A Three-Stranded Cord symbolizes strength in unity, especially when God is at the center.

•   By reflecting on Deborah’s life and multifaceted roles, women today can find inspiration and practical wisdom to become the courageous leaders God calls them to be.

Reference: Secrets of the Menorah