Read Judges 4 here (text coming …) or at Bible Gateway.
The Hebrew paragraphs:
4:1-3 {p} Jabin king of Hazor harshly oppressed Israel for 20 years
4:4-24 {p} Deborah judged Israel, and Barak of Naphtali delivered Israel from Jabin king of Hazor
Judges 4:1-24 Chiastic Structure:
This is the first chapter in the Bible where women appear in the usually male roles of prophet, judge, and victor over enemies. Why are women usually excluded from these roles? I believe it is because women are uniquely designed to serve in some of the most important roles on earth, that of nurturers, mothers, and makers of home. Men are uniquely designed with greater strength to serve in the roles of authority, to be providers, protectors, and military victors.
But notice what Barak says to Deborah when called upon to spearhead a campaign against their Canaanite oppressors:
And Barak said to her, “If you will go with me, then I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go.” Jud 4:8
Perhaps this is the clue as to why women were found in normally male roles in this era of Israel’s history: weak or vacillating men, who would not, when called, answer.
If there are questions, this is a good resource:
Hazor – International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
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