Deborah emerged as a divinely called and chosen leader, mother, prophetess, and judge in Israel during twenty years of oppression by the Canaanites through God’s ordination. She served as God’s voice, delivering messages and guiding the Israelites to a decisive military victory against their Canaanite oppressors, leading to 40 years of peace. Her position as the only female judge and prophetess at that time when the voice of God was scarce as a result of the Israelites persistent disobedience to God, was unique and it is a powerful example of God’s choice of unexpected leaders. Judges 5:6-7, 12, “In the days of Shamgar son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were abandoned; travellers took to winding paths. Villagers in Israel would not fight; they held back until I, Deborah, arose, until I arose, a mother in Israel. … ‘Wake up, wake up, Deborah! Wake up, wake up, break out in song! Arise, Barak! Take captive your captives, son of Abinoam”.
Deborah was a wise, courageous, humble and obedient leader of Israel, serving as a prophetess and judge who inspired faith, unity, reverence, courage and obedience through delivering God’s messages through discernment and divine revelation. She demonstrated incredible faith and boldness in leading Israel to victory against their oppressors, using her spiritual authority and strategic mind to guide military efforts. As a “mother in Israel,” she was an approachable source of wisdom, a symbol of hope, and a faithful steward of her God-given calling. The story of Deborah in the Bible shows us that the Lord calls ordinary people to do extraordinary things that can only be accomplished through the Holy Spirit.
The making of Deborah, were her consecrations unto God in the secret place. Deborah did not rule over Israel from the earth’s realm without first ruling from the Heavenly realms through the help of the Holy Spirit. The Lord prepared Deborah in the secret place of her prayers, her intimate worship and communion with God. She was a vessel of honour, a worshipper of God, a woman of strong faith, a glory carrier of the divine oracles of God, through the power of the Holy Spirit. She was an obedient and surrendered servant of God through intimate fellowship, reverence, intercession and obedience to God, because of her love for the Israelites. Although Israel was a great nation that could not be successfully governed at that time without the help of God Almighty; God entrusted a willing, yielded, surrendered, spiritually and physically available woman (Deborah) to fulfil His divine will in the earth. Deborah’s “consecrations unto God” was through her calling as a prophetess and judge, her profound faith and courage, her prayerful communication with God, and her selfless commitment to serve Israel by delivering them from oppression; even leading an army into battle against the Canaanites. Her consecration was not a formal ritual but a deep, active, and lifelong devotion to fulfilling God’s divine mission in a time of spiritual darkness.
Ephesians 2:6, “And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus”.
Ephesians 1:3, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ”.
Who Is the Woman Chosen by God? (Like Deborah)
The woman chosen by God in my definition, is one who has been called, chosen, defined, refined, approved, ordained and equipped by God through His Holy Spirit; to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ with power. He/she is thoroughly vetted and established by God, to fulfil His divine purpose on the earth. Matthew 22:14, “For many are invited, but few are chosen”. This person is usually one who loves, fears and reveres the things of God, which pertains to life and godly. His/her life has been defined through the Refining Fire of God, and he/ she thirsts after righteousness. His/her character exhibits the glory, power and attributes of God. This person is a vessel, whom God has occupied and lives through. She is answerable to God in all things, and is subject to the Holy Spirit in the inside of her. This woman has a clear and vivid conviction of sin, Jesus, His death, burial, resurrection and glorification; therefore, she endeavours in every way, to not jeopardize her relationship with God. Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me”.
This woman loves and cherishes the rebukes of the Lord; and takes them very seriously. She humbly serves God faithfully and is not afraid of hard work or the days of small beginnings. She is kind, peaceful, loving, patient, prayerful, trustworthy, cautious, knowledgeable, correctable, teachable, well-mannered and polite. She fears and loves God; abides by the laws of God and is controlled by the Holy Spirit. This woman is mature in the things of God, is non-judgemental and is pleasing to God. He/she acts in faith, because she has experienced the life-giving word of God, and its dynamic power. She is able to look in the mirror and shout; Praise God! Hebrews 12:2, “Looking unto Jesus, the author and Finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God”.
She is a God’s pleaser, and her delight in the Lord; just like king David in the bible. This woman has been taught and trained by God through His Spirit, to do exploits. She is not afraid of the devil and his wicked schemes, because she has experienced the power of God at work. This woman, although not void of sin, is quick to repent and ask for God’s forgiveness. She is not ill-tempered and is controlled by the Spirit of God. One unique quality of a man or woman of God is the fact that they grow and learn to see things through the eyes of God, by His Spirit. 1 Timothy 3:1-7, “Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap”.
A woman chosen by God, is not selfish, self-centred, irresponsible, wicked, mean, abusive, unforgiving, hates, lies, drunk or steals. She understands that God is taking them through a process, therefore, she is patient with God. She is rightly divided in the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth”. She operates fully in the Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit. God gives her a new name and shares His secrets with her. Revelation 2:17, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it”.
This woman is not materialistic and is content with what she receives from the Lord. Her mind is set on things above in Heaven, rather than things on the earth. She knows beyond all doubts that her life is no longer hers, but exclusively for the purpose of the Lord. This woman is not boastful, arrogant, vile or unnecessarily stubborn. She understands that they are pilgrims on the earth, and their external abode is in Heaven with the Lord. Therefore, she understands the importance of building her treasures and rewards in Heaven, by redeeming the time wisely, whilst on the earth. Matthew 6:19-21, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”.
A woman of God like Deborah, has the mindset of building and increasing God’s Kingdom; therefore, he/she is a soul winner. Although this woman may look and act gentle, she is an intercessor and a warrior in the spirit, and the devil recognises the power of God at work in her life; therefore, he is afraid of her. This virtuous woman is covered by the grace of God in all things. Although she may not have many close friends, because she has been consecrated for God’s purpose; she is always comforted by the presence of the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 6:10, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power”.
The woman of God hates sin. She makes God’s enemies her enemies; and God friends, her friends. She is full of gratitude, praises and worships the Lord. This woman is blessed and highly favoured; and she is strengthened on the inside. She is beautiful both inside and outside. The woman chosen by God, is an imitator of Jesus Christ, and she is the expression of God’s love and power. This woman operates in the wisdom, knowledge and revelation power of God. He/she is the head and not the tail. Hebrews 1:3, “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high”.
31 Characteristics of The Woman Chosen by God (Like Deborah)
1. This woman fears and reverences God as much as she loves Him.
2. This woman abides by the commandments and word of God. (God’s word is perfect law to her).
3. This woman is given to a lifestyle of prayer because she understands the role, importance and powers of prayer.
4. This woman refuses and rejects any report that is contrary to the report of the Lord.
5. This woman is not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus and its powers.
6. This woman is a generous giver and a dedicated soul winner.
7. This woman is subject to the guidance of the Holy Spirit in every way.
8. This woman knows the heart of God and God shares His secrets with her.
9. This woman is dead to the world, but alive through Christ.
10. This woman is alert, cautious, speaking mindfully and used the choicest words.
11. This woman is a visionary and a go-getter.
12. This woman increases and operate in the Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit.
13. This woman has a new and unique name given to her by God.
14. This woman is kind, loving, compassionate and sacrificial in nature.
15. This woman hates lies and all things that are evil.
16. This woman is not ashamed to be vulnerable and emotional before God.
17. This woman loves and cherish the rebukes of the Lord.
18. This woman is a carrier of light and is the salt of the earth.
19. This woman has experienced God and the power of His word; and is completely sold out to God.
20. This Woman understands the consequences of sin and repents quickly.
21. This woman is full of thanksgiving, praises and gratitude.
22. This woman is blessed and highly favoured by God.
23. This woman does not operate on luck, but on divine favour and strong faith in God.
24. This woman is respected because of the presence and power of God in her life.
25. This woman believes in God and has a mature faith.
26. This woman has been pruned and approved by God through many difficult trials and trainings.
27. This woman is a friend of the Holy Spirit and an admirer of God and His ways.
28. This woman imitates Jesus in every way (she is a Jesus copycat in every good way).
29. This woman is feared by the devil and his demons because she carries God on the inside.
30. This woman is a righteous and holy person, called to show forth the glory of God.
31. This woman has a warrior’s spirit and is an equipped soldier for Jesus Christ in fulfilling God’s mandates in the earth.
Praise God!