She is called a woman who was a prophet and the wife of Lappidoth (4: 4). She described herself as a mother in Israel (5: 7). Perhaps this mother, Deborah, had no biological children. Certainly none are alluded to in the story but as Israel’s only female judge, Deborah rises to be the spiritual matriarch of all the land.
Like a godly mother she could be counted on to consistently communicate the Word of God. [T]he Israelites went up to her for judgment (4: 5). She, no doubt, opened her mouth with wisdom and loving instruction was on her tongue (Prv. 31: 26). Timothy found saving wisdom on the lips of both his mother and grandmother (2 Tim. 1: 5; 3: 14 – 15) and countless millions of other children have as well. The children of Israel found Deborah a faithful fountain of truth.
Like a godly mother Deborah could be counted on to combatively conquer the warfare of God. Though Deborah desired Barak to champion Israel’s victory, when he declined to march out without her she willingly entered the fray. Every mother of faith knows what it is to lock horns with the forces of hell angling for her children. A constant volley of temptations and trials launched from demonic high ground is raining terror down on every Christian home. In some, Dad leads the spiritual assault establishing a beachhead and pushing through the heavy opposing fire to insure the spiritual life and liberty of his children. In such a home, Mom often joins him on the battle front. In many a home, however, it is Mom who sounds the battle cry and leads the offensive all alone.
Like a godly mother, this woman could be counted on to confidently celebrate the worship of God. Her reflective song of praise fills the fifth chapter of this book. It is the only such anthem in an otherwise melancholy book. Her song is more than a ballad concerning the military strategy of a nation or a feminist tribute lionizing the heroism of women. It is a praise song expressing gratitude for God’s great goodness to His own. Much of the theology many believers know they learned from the hymns sung by godly mothers as they rocked them to sleep.
Mothers, arise!