Holding Court!
By: Reverend J. Loren Russell
Judges 4:4-5 “Now Deborah, a prophet, the wife of Lappidoth, was leading Israel at that time. She held court under the Palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites went up to her to have their disputes decided.”
She has been a celebrated, unusual, and exceptional leader, a negotiator, and arbitrator of justice, and a political influencer. We know that she as a prophetess, a conquering warrior, a woman of grace and dignity. Yet none of these adjectives can, by themselves, adequately describe the dynamism and impact Deborah had in her role as God’s appointed judge. This remarkable woman was a divinely appointed magistrate, an executive leader of Israel who can be considered as someone who broke through the glass ceiling. Deborah is memorialized as “the finest possibilities of a gifted, God-fearing woman who allows the spirit of God to develop her full capacities to impact the world around her” (New Spirit Filled Life Bible, p. 319).
We are introduced to this mighty woman early in the historical book of Judges. She is presented to us as a prophetess of God and a wife who held court under the Deborah tree, a palm named after her. It was from there that she exercised her duties as a judge, settling disputes and reconciling controversies as God’s ambassador.
Deborah was an unusual leader with an exceptional anointing. She not only judged ethically and with integrity but delivered her people from the cruel oppression of the Canaanites when she was instructed to do so by the Lord. She did it by unifying a nation that had been incapable of pulling together any type of organized battle. She summoned them to come together in the name of the Lord.
Her example was not only good for those in her day but is evident today in women (and men) who are tasked as judges, particularly those who are holding court with the integrity of Deborah.
This Women’s History Month, I salute each of you powerful and passionate women who are holding court and allowing the Lord to use you to impact the world in the same way Deborah did. Can we count you in that number?
Be Blessed!
Rev. J. Loren Russell is an associate minister at Goodwill Baptist Church and is the Clergy Officiant at the Evangelical Church of God, both in the Bronx, President/CEO of The JLR Company/J Loren R Consulting, LLC for Church Financial & Strategic Consulting (718-328-8096) and is the producer and host of “Matters of Faith – The Radio Show” on Monday nights from 8:00 – 10:00 PM on The Matters of Faith YouTube channel. Be sure to ‘Friend, Like, and Share.” Email us at mattersoffaith.mof@gmail.com. Order your copy of Matters of Faith: The eBook at www.smashwords.com/books/view/993177
