Kaylena Berles
Mrs. Hunter
Bible 9-7
29 September 2015
Deborah: The Mother of Israel Deborah, the Old Testament’s fearless patriot, was a woman who feared the Lord and led His people with wisdom, justice, and mercy. She lived her life as a prophetess and judge for God, and He blessed her because of it. Deborah means “a bee” and is symbolic of her patience, diligence, and usefulness. She was looked upon highly and treated with honor and respect because of the way she lead Israel. Throughout her life, Deborah is presented in the Bible as an honored judge and prophetess, a strong leader, and an ideal role model to others. Deborah was the fifth out of twelve Judges that God anointed to deliver His chosen people, the Israelites, from the bondage
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Proverbs 31:30-31 says “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.” This applies to Deborah because she lived her life with integrity, and she feared and obeyed the Lord, so the Israelites honored her. Many lessons can be learned from Deborah, such as how she realized that her strength and courage came from God, and she relied on Him instead of her own abilities (Burroughs). She was selfless, with a servant’s heart and the courage and boldness of a leader, and she focused on honoring God by renewing His people. What Deborah’s life teaches us can be applied to how we lived our lives, if only we have faith in God’s plan for us and know that He is in control. “Though the Bible’s record of Deborah’s life is brief, her impact was great. Her leadership and obedience to God’s Word resulted in a changed nation for an entire generation. Those who study her will find a role model of Godly faith, boldness, wisdom, and worship …show more content…
In the Bible, Deborah is presented as a prophetess and judge, a leader of the Israelites, and a bold example of a woman of the Lord. She fulfilled her God-given task to deliver the Israelites from the oppression their idolatry had caused, and she listened to God and shared His words with the people as a prophet. Deborah’s boldness and courage was contagious, and by this she helped release Israel from the bondage of the Canaanites. The life of Deborah as portrayed in the Bible and interpreted by scholars gives woman a positive Biblical role model. The way Deborah lived can continue to be applied to the lives of people today, and women should strive to have a relationship with God similar to hers.
Works Cited
Burroughs, D. (n.d.). What can we learn from the life of Deborah? Retrieved September 26, 2015, from blogos.org: http://www.blogos.org/exploringtheword/deborah.php
Higgs, L. C. (2007, March). Deborah: A "Do Right" Woman. Retrieved September 25, 2015, from todayschristianwoman.com: http://www.todayschristianwoman.com/articles/2007/march/9.22.html?start=2
Holy Bible NIV. (1984). Colorado Springs, Colorado: International Bible Society.
Judges. (n.d.). Retrieved September 23, 2015, from biblehub.com:
Volume III: P-Z. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1971. Print. The. James, Edward, Janet James, and Paul Boyer. Notable American Women, 1607-1950.
Sarah was a woman who had gone through many hardships in her life. She thought she was doing well, but believed that the devil still had it out to get her. She even believed that it was impossible to be saved at this point in time. No matter what she did, she was going to perish in Hell. It was then that she felt the spirit of the Lord come down and help her banish the devil. This is what drew her to the religious revivals because they validated her testimony of the help from God. Her testimony was as good as any man’s and would not be questioned. This is what drew many women to the religious revivals. Their public testimony of the grace of God was just as good as any man’s. In the eyes of the Lord, a testimony was a testimony. It did not matter the gender of the person testifying. This was different from the old ways of the church because women were seen as quasi-equal to men. Whereas in the old ways, women were always below
One famous quote from Barbara Jordan is “If you’re going to play a game properly, you’d better know every rule .” Barbara Jordan was an amazing woman. She was the first African American Texas state senator. Jordan was also a debater, a public speaker, a lawyer, and a politician. Barbara Jordan was a woman who always wanted things to be better for African Americans and for all United States citizens. “When Barbara Jordan speaks,” said Congressman William L.Clay, “people hear a voice so powerful so, awesome...that it cannot be ignored and will not be silenced.”
the ultimate Puritan. Was the glory to God or to herself? She also relates here
“one of God’s women, fashioned by His own hand to show us men and other women that there is a heaven where we can enter, and its light can be here on earth. So true, so sweet, so
high reverence. She feels that the laws of the gods should be obeyed above all others,
Jezebel, an “evil” woman in the Hebrew Scriptures, is another representation of women’s bravery. When Jezebel arrived at Israel, she introduced her God Baal, whom she worships rather than Yahweh (SOURCES). Although worshipping Yahweh is what the majorities believes the righteous act, Jezebel did not submerge herself to this belief. Rather, she remained true to her religious beliefs. Her role is significant in representing a woman with loyalty and faithfulness. Evilness become associated with Jezebel when she “[was] killing off the prophets of the Lord.” However, her opponent, Elijah, also ordered his men to kill the supporters of Jezebel, but was not depicted as evil. Therefore, if murdering prophets was not depicted as evil for one, then Jezebel’s action was not to be considered evil.
Although Judith is characterized as a strong, independent women, she maintains her faith in God. For example, directly after defeating Holofernes, Judith says a prayer in order to thank God for giving her the strength to save her hometown. After asking for forgiveness from God, the public thanked Judith by giving her strength and encouragement. This further developed her character as a hero while showing that keeping god in mind helped Judith accomplish her goals. While the Bible teaches this, the author of Judith maintained this theme in order to show people that strength and courage come from maintaining faith in God.
THE STATUS OF WOMEN IN THE HEBREW SCRIPTURES (OLD TESTAMENT). 2004. 21 October 2004. www.religioustolerance.org
According to Gender doesn’t Matter by McCormack, Jan states that “Judith was not a warrior, yet she beheaded the Assyrian king 's general (71).” According to Gender doesn’t Matter by McCormack, Jan states that, “Deborah, a prophetess and a judge of Israel, guided her people during peace and war. When war and oppression came, she battled against the superior Canaanite army herself and led her male troops to victory (71).” According to Gender doesn’t Matter by McCormack, Jan states that “Sierra, the enemy general, then fled the battlefield towards Kedesh, where he was received by his ally Heber 's wife, Jael. After he fell asleep, Jael killed him with a tent peg. She was hailed a heroine by the pursuing Israelite forces (71).” All these women have had victory and success bestowed upon them not because of their sex but because of their skill, leadership, and taking action, not waiting on a man to approve there
Deborah: Not necessarily, but misogyny definitely played a role in how events unraveled. He asked me to go with him not because he didn’t trust me, but because he lacked faith. After the battle, he claimed no fame, as there was no glory in winning a battle next to a woman's side and as I directly said to him, "But because of the course you are taking, the honor will not be yours, for the Lord will deliver Sisera into the hands of a woman." (Judg.4:9)
Also she sacrificed her faith, when she converted to the Kingdom of Islam. I think this title is so important because it helps contribute to the theme of the novel.
Sariah was a wife and mother of prophets to the Lord. She displays obedience, surrenders to fear, and fortifies her testimony.
the Goddess of spells, known for chanting incantations in verse to ease the pains of women in labor and children facing illness.
The "Autobiography". Abrams 1601 - 1604. Mulock, Dinah. Maria. A Woman's Thoughts About Women.