Should we use Deborah in the debate of eldership?

Deborah is the only female judge in the Bible. It's estimated that she lived in the 12th century B.C. and by all accounts she was well-regarded by Israelites.

Today she is often cited as an example for female eldership. Here are my thoughts on the matter.

A Key Difference

The first thing to note is that Deborah is not an elder. She is definitely a leader, she held authority over men, but the greatest reason to discount her as evidence for female eldership is that she wasn't an elder.

Advocates for Deborah as evidence of female eldership will always stretch, bend, or conflate the roles. A judge is not an elder, an elder is not a judge.

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In life we categorise based on difference, not on similarity. Men and women are alike in many obvious ways, and yet we are clearly different. Judges and elders share similar traits, and yet, they are clearly different.

Taking the time to read through the book of Judges, it's painfully clear one of their core responsibilities is military leadership. God raised up judges to 'save them out of the hands of those who plundered them' (Judges 2:16). Deborah was no exception. She led Israel against Jabin king of Canaan.

The second role of the judges is to judge others according to God's law (2 Chronicles 19:5-6). Israel was a nation and God their king, they were a theocracy, it was the responsibility of judges to decide the fate of the people.

Leading a military to war and overseeing legal matters of a theocratic state are not part of eldership. It's the complete opposite! Jesus alone defeats our enemy and brings peace to his people. He alone will judge.

Sadly, Deborah's appointment as a judge does not automatically qualify her as an elder.

An Unlikely Appointment

The second reason to dismiss the claim is a close examination of Deborah's appointment.

The book of judges is a repetitious cycle whereby Israel does evil, God judges them and hands them over to their enemy, and then a new judge is appointed to bring them out of their suffering (Judges 2:11, 3:7, 3:12, 4:1, 6:1, 8:33, 10:6, 13:1).

As a whole, the book of Judges is an indictment against Israel and its sinful ways. Their sinful hearts are on clear display and their need to repent is constant. Everything was seemingly wrong at the heart of Israel.

Deborah's appointment reflects the weak, fearful, and cowardly men of Israel.

The author emphasises Deborah's gender, it reads: 'Deborah, a woman, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth', a highlight of the unusual nature of her appointment (unusual because it was always men).

Deborah as a prophetess summoned Barak to lead an army, his response is essentially for her to hold his hand. She says 'the road you walk will not lead to glory' and explains it's because 'the Lord will deliver Sisera into the hand of a woman' (Judges 4:9).

Her judgement is clear: he is a coward and a woman will do a man's job. What she said eventually comes to pass, Jael (a woman) kills Sisera with a tent peg as he sleeps. As for the honour, the song of Deborah and Barak tells the story of Jael's victory.

Final Remarks

While Deborah likely had many duties during her leadership, there's little to suggest that she held an office as a teacher or preacher. The most compelling argument, if there's any argument at all is the role of Priscilla and Aquilla.