Deborah, the wife of Lapidoth was the first Woman Preacher in the Bible according to Judges. In the era where the ministry of a woman was not important, there were women the likes of Deborah that preached the gospel of God.
Discovery of her calling was beneficial to her generation because her dearth of knowledge about her ministerial call would have left her generation wanting although God never lacks a vessel for use.
Society talks about the vulnerability of a woman without proffering any solution to it.
Some portions of the Bible kick against a woman preacher, but some of these women like Deborah remained adamant, lived a fulfilled life and made themselves available to be used by God. These women are worth emulating and as such, they should be referenced.
The First Woman Preacher in the Bible According to KJV
The King James Version of the Bible mentions Deborah as the first woman preacher in the Bible because of the various roles she played in the lives of the people of her generation.
Deborah sat under the palm tree and provided judgement on issues of sensitivity. During the process of judgement, she indirectly told the people of her time about God’s standard of life.
As the first woman preacher in the Bible, Deborah laid a concrete foundation in their Christendom for women of today to emulate and follow through. Her precedent made today’s women know, and recognise the acceptability of their service in God’s House
9 Duties of Deborah as the First Female Preacher According to Judges
1. Judges 4:4-5 Deborah as a Judge
4. “And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time. 5. And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim, and the children of Israel came up to her for judgement”.
Judges 4:4-5 (KJV)
Deborah as the first woman preacher in the Bible was the first female judge, a prophetess and a wife in the Bible. She was married to Lapidoth.
At a time when women were not looked up to in any aspect of preaching, Deborah made herself an available tool in the hands of God for perfect use.
She provided judgements on sensitive issues to people regardless of their gender and she became a role model to other females in her time to live a godly life.
2. Judges 4:6-7 Deborah as First Female Preacher
6. “And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedethnapthali and said unto him, hath not the Lord God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Napthali and the children of Zebulun”.
“7. And I will draw unto thee to the river Kishon, Sisera, the Captain of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his multitudes; and I will deliver him into thine hand”.
Judges 4:6-7 (KJV)
As the first female preacher, Judge and as prophetess in the Bible, she had the authority to send for people for proper guidance and they responded positively to her calls, as a result of the fruit of the spirit they saw in her.
As a prophetess, God used Deborah as a vessel of communication with her people and she was always available to be used by God as His instrument.
3. Judges 4:8-10 Deborah as Prophetess
8.” And Barak said unto her, if thou wilt goes with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go.
9. “And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour: for the Lord shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. and Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh”.
10. “And Barak called Zebulun and Napthali to Kedesh; and he went up with ten thousand men at his feet: and Deborah went up with him”.
Judges 4:8-10 (KJV)
Now Deborah as the first woman preacher in the Bible was emboldened for the work of God. She did not just give instructions but she accompanied her people whenever it was necessary and her vision was apt.
She studied and understood the scriptures and impacted the same on her people. She had a clear direction and vision from God to her generation. Looking at the duties she performed, Deborah was empowered by God to occupy the office of men and God stood by her at all times.
4. Judges 4:14-16 Deborah as a Warrior
14. “And Deborah said unto Barak, Up: for this is the day in which the Lord hath delivered Sisera into thine hand: is not the Lord gone out before thee? So, Barak went down from Mount Tabor, and ten thousand men after him”.
15. “And the Lord discomfited Sisera and all his chariots and all his hosts, with the edge of his sword before Barak: so that Sisera lighted down of his chariot, and fled away on his feet”.
16. “But Barak pursued after the chariots and after the host, unto Harosheth of the Gentiles: and all the host of Sisera fell upon the edge of the sword: and there was no man left”.
Judges 4:14-16 (KJV)
For the word of Deborah, the first woman preacher to be manifested, God confused Sisera and this led to the killing of all his men to the extent of remaining none of his men.
God added power to the word of Deborah and the power that accompanied her word caused the word of God to be fulfilled.
5. Judges 5:1-7 Deborah Led Her People in Thanksgiving
1. “Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day, saying, 2. Praise ye the Lord for the avenging of Israel, when the people willingly offered themselves”.
3. “Hear, O ye kings; give ear; O ye princes; I, even I, will sing unto the Lord; I will sing praise to the Lord God of Israel. 4. Lord, when thou wentest out of Sesir, when thou marched out of the field of Edom, the earth trembled, and the heavens dropped, the clouds also dropped water”.
5. “The mountains melted from before the Lord, even that Sinai from before the Lord God of Israel. 6. In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were unoccupied, and the travelers walked through byways”.
7. “The inhabitants of the villages ceased, they ceased in Israel, until that I Deborah arose, that I arose a mother in Israel”.
Judges 5:1-7 (KJV)
After leading the people through the Battle. Deborah, the first woman preacher recounted the goodness of God in the life of her people and gave them enough reasons for them to be appreciative of the goodness and the kindness of God in their lives.
She showed and thought her people what it means to be grateful and appreciative of the blessings of God. She thought her people that when God is appreciated, He performs more of His miracles in the life of those that trust and are solely dependent on him for his provisions.
6. Judges 4:12 Deborah was Watchful
12. “Awake, awake, Deborah: awake, awake, utter a song: arise, Barak, lead thy captivity captive, thou son of Abinoam.” 13. “Then he made him that remaineth have dominion over the nobles among the people: The Lord made me have dominion over the mighty.”
Judges 4:12 (KJV)
In this portion of the Bible, Deborah, the first woman preacher reminds herself and Barak of the need to stay awake for the love of God and the love of her people. It tells of the dominion that is given by God to the people He loves and calls His own.
7. Judges 5:15 Deborah was not Discriminatory
15. “And the princes of Issachar were with Deborah; even Issachar and also Barak: he was sent on foot into the valley. For the divisions of Reuben, there were great thoughts of heart.”
Judges 5:15 (KJV)
Deborah’s, message was not just for the poor. She extended her messages to the rich and the nobles in society. She sent messages from God to Kings and they obeyed and responded positively to her calling and the message that was sent to them.
8. Judges 5:27, 31 Deborah was Respected
27. “At her feet he bowed, he fell, he lay down: at her feet he bowed, he fell: where he bowed, there he fell down dead.”
Judges 5:27,31 (KJV)
Deborah was respected and referenced. She was highly looked up to by all classes of people in her society. Men and women of influence, the middle class and all manner of persons saw Deborah as a role model and none withheld respect from her.
9. Judges 5:31 Deborah was an Instructor
31. “So let all thine enemies perish, O Lord: but let them that love him be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might. And the Land had rest forty years.”
Judges 5:31 (KJV)
Deborah, the first woman preacher gave instructions that led to long-lasting peace in the land. The land was at peace for forty years because of the instruction she ditched out to her people.
Final Thoughts
The first woman preacher in the Bible, Deborah lived her life according to biblical principles. She made her life count in the Bible and she wrote her name in the sands of time.
Deborah lived according to the precept of the scriptures and she made her life to be accountable in the eyes of God and man. She was not just the first female preacher according to the old testament, she was also a prophetess, a warrior, an Instructor, and a visionary with the spirit of discernment.
She did not just live but she won more souls to God and she made others live a rewarding life. The first woman preacher simply set a standard for our generation of women and the women yet unborn to follow.
Today we have female preachers who have discovered their calling and they are currently making exploits in the Lord’s Kingdom. It is my wish that God protects them as they carry their own with the kingdom work.
I also pray for other women who are still finding direction and purpose in the Lord’s kingdom for their purpose and function optimally for the growth of the church, for the glory of God to the benefit of the Church, Societies and even our families.
