The Women of Judges

“Deborah, the wife of Lappidoth, was a prophet who was judging Israel at that time.” 
JUDGES 4:4

The Women of Judges Judg 4:4-10

The book of Judges is filled with fascinating women. Deborah, a respected judge and prophetess, led Israel to a military victory, ushering in forty years of peace for God’s people (4:1–5:31). Jael contrived a risky scheme and killed Sisera, the commander of the army of Israel’s enemy, with a tent peg and a hammer (4:17-24; 5:24-27). An unnamed concubine’s abuse and death set off a war that nearly eliminated one of Israel’s tribes because they refused to admit wrongdoing in the horrible atrocity (19:1–20:14). One Philistine woman’s relationship with Samson (14:1-20) ultimately led to devastation for her nation, while another’s, Delilah’s, actually set that fatal event in motion (16:4-30).

Historically, women have frequently been discriminated against in religious contexts, resulting in many significant hardships. In biblical times, women were viewed as property. They suffered abuse, poverty, servitude, and even death at the hands of men. Sadly, this pattern continues to be justified today, often under the guise of religious faith. Women are still marginalized in various ways, and even beheaded or stoned in some cultures for displeasing their husbands or dishonouring their families. But this treatment was never God’s intention for women.

God has always used both men and women to accomplish his purposes. Some cultures have considered women to be “second-class citizens,” but in God’s eyes, they have always been his beloved daughters, created in his image with eternal value. Jesus raised the bar for the treatment of women throughout his teachings, and this is echoed elsewhere in the New Testament. As Paul summed it up in his letter to the Galatians, “There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal 3:28).