Here Comes Deborah--A Battle Maiden
“ Awake, awake, Deborah: awake, awake, utter a song: arise, Barak and lead thy captivity captive, thou Son of Abinoam.” Judges 5:12
Who was Deborah? She was an executive leader in Israel—divinely appointed by God. This meant that God raised Deborah up as one with administrative ability and authority. Deborah had the mind of Christ and moved in Godly wisdom.
Deborah’s name signifies a bee. A bee is industrious and an industrious person is one who is diligently active. Bees are also cultivated for their wax and honey. Honey is sweet and wax is useful. God is calling BATTLE MAIDENS for service such as Deborah with a sweet spirit of willingness, who will be useful, diligent and stand bravely in the front lines of battle in prayer against the enemy for their families, churches and communities. Judges 5:7, “The inhabitants of the villages ceased, they ceased in Israel, until that I Deborah arose that I arose a mother in Israel.” Why was Deborah called a mother? A mother is one who gives, protects and leads with much love. Deborah gave of her time to serve God’s people. She protected and led her people with care and concern. She was sensitive to their needs and not her own.
God is looking for women with Godly character such as Deborah, battle maidens, who love their country, who will pray to protect our nation and communities from the onslaughts (drugs, murder, abortion, etc.) of the enemy. The Holy Spirit looks to recruit Saints of God with Deborah qualities who will pray diligently for our nation. Judges 4:1-4, “And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the Lord, when Ehud was dead, And the Lord sold them into the hands of Jabin, King of Canaan, that reigned in Hazor; the captain of whose host was Sisera, which dwelt in Harosheth of the Gentiles. And the children of Israel cried unto the Lord: for he had nine hundred chariots of iron; and twenty years he mightly oppressed the children of Israel. And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at the time.”
The Lord sold Israel into the hand of Jabin, King of Canaan because they had slipped back into sin. When we forsake God, He will forsake us; then we become as prey to the SPOILERS. Has our nation become an easy prey to the spoilers of pornography, suicide rape and missing children because of her abominations and sinful ways? After 20 years of oppression, the Israelites begin to cry out for deliverance and mercy. Here, we see the forgiving nature and loving heart of the Father. He heard them and sent them Deborah, as a deliverer, to help them.
General Sisera was the Captain of Jabin’s host. Jabin’s name means “intelligent” and it also signifies battle array—an orderly arrangement of troops. He reigned in Hazor that was reckoned as a place—“Head of those kingdoms.” We get some insight to King Jabin’s character. He was powerful, strong and intelligent—yet God raised a woman to bring down and destroy this powerful kingdom of darkness.
As Deborah United Intercessors has also been given a divine plan, to become a divine connection of PRAYER WATCHMEN, one sure way of overcoming the enemy. Judges 4:5, “ 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 judgment.”
Deborah was a warrior entirely devoted to the services of Israel because she loved her people. She judged not as a princess appointed by civil authority, but as a prophetess called and ordained by God. She truly gave of herself to accomplish God’s will. Her life style could not have been very glamorous since the Book of Judges states that she judged Israel from under the palm tree. Deborah was probably like most women, enjoyed a comfortable life style with all the frills and ruffles of pleasurable living, but when her name was called, she chose to deny her personal ambitions to be on the battle field to set her people free from the enemy. She chose to roll up her sleeves, go out into the muddy fields on a chariot for the deliverance of her people.
So many times we would like to be used by God in a mighty way, but we are not willing to die to self, or give up our own dreams and ambitions to become that vessel that God can use for His glory. Deborah can be a real inspiration for us today. “Judges 4: 8-9, “And Barak said unto her if thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go. And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honor; for the Lord shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose and went with Barak to Kedesh.”
What is this? Barak would not go without Deborah! We could assume that Barak was a weak man because he needed a woman to accompany him on the battle field. On the contrary, Barak was not at all weak, but brave, meek and full of God’s wisdom.
Deborah prophesied to Barak that the spoils of war (Sisera) would be credited to a woman. We see the unselfish character of Barak—he did not care about recognition. He knew there was a job that needed to be done and he was the man chosen to help in the battle and he did. Glory to God! The men who work alongside United Intercessors are warriors who recognize that God has a special place for women.
Barak was from the tribe of Naphtali, which means “wrestler”. Today, it will take wrestling in prayer (coupled with fasting) against these demonic spirits to make them release their grip of iron upon our families, communities, and nation. Judges 4:6, “And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedesh- Naphtali, 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 Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun?”
This can possibly sound like foolishness, that God would use a woman to defeat the enemy, and if that were not silly enough, Deborah, was instructed by God to send 10,000 foot soldiers into the battle without weapons to fight the army of Sisera, who had 900 chariots of iron.
We are looking for just a few men and women who will answer the call to prayer and enlist in the praying army of the Lord.. Judges 5:26, “ She put her hand to the nail, and her right hand to the workmen’s hammer; and with the hammer she smote Sisera, and she smote off his head, when she had pierced and stricken through his temple.”
She (Jael) supported the nail with her left hand and the right went to the workman’s hammer. The left hand and the right hand went to the workman’s hammer. The left hand here can represent the supportive hand of intercession and the workman’s hammer is symbolic to the Word of God ministered in power by the five-fold ministry gifts.
The five-fold ministry gifts of Ephesians 4:13 has five offices which represent God’s ministers and it’s interesting that Barak’s name has five letters in it. Today, the five-fold ministry gifts need to recognize that in order to bring down the kingdoms of darkness, intercession will have to pave the way, and together in unity, they will have the VICTORY. Barak and Deborah were a team working together.
The Word of God hammered away lethal blows of death to the enemy till the works of darkness were destroyed. Where did Jael apply the final blow to the enemy? She didn’t aim without purpose or direction; she used wisdom and strategy. She aimed at the head and her hammer (Word of God) will have to pound away in the labor of intensified prayer against the powers, principalities, rulers of darkness and wicked spirits.
We encourage churches and their leaders to link together in the power of prayer by the "Divine Connection Of Praying People, here at UIPWC. (WATCHMEN). Ephesians 4:13, “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.”
The Lord is calling the body of Christ to work together in the unity of the faith to bring down the works of darkness in our communities. God’s aim, purpose and strategy will come as we unite together to make war against the enemy.
As we study the kingdoms of darkness and their strategies, we see that they have a chain of command and an order. There is always a principality (TERRITORY) with a ruler and his subordinates executing the works of darkness.
The kingdoms of darkness operate somewhat like an octopus. The octopus is an animal that is known for his cleverness and intelligence. He has eight strong tentacles and their grip is as iron. You can cut off his tentacles but they will grow back and in order to completely immobilize him, you have to destroy the head. As in the case of Captain Sisera, the woman used the workmen’s hammer and nail while she pierced and smote Captain Sisera’s head (clever mind), thus destroying King Jabin and Captain Sisera, As we use the Word of God in spiritual warfare against the evil works, we will do the same. Judges 4:15:16, “ And the Lord discomfited Sisera, and all his chariots, and all his host, with the edge of the sword before Barak: So that Sisera lighted down off his chariot, and fled away on his feet. 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 not a man left.”
The word “discomfit” means to frustrate, to keep from taking place. The Lord discomfited Sisera with the edge of the sword. What is our sword today? The WORD OF GOD and the strategy of UNITY. (Ephesians 6:17)
Deborah and Barak also chased their enemies. “Chased” means to pursue, follow, to put to flight, drive away. We must also chase, pursue, drive away the enemy and put him to flight. Deborah whose name signifies a bee describes her character in chasing the enemy because bees do chase their victims and have a powerful sting. (Deuteronomy 1:44)
We, as the body of Christ will have to take the offensive position and chase Satan and his co-horts, taking by force in prayer and intercession what rightfully belongs to us in Jesus’ name. Micah 4:13, “ Arise and thresh, O daughter of Zion: for I will make thine horn iron, and I will make thy hoofs brass: and thou shalt beat in pieces many people: and I will consecrate their gain unto the Lord, and their gain unto the Lord, and their substance unto the Lord of the whole earth.” God gave U.I. a commission- to call prayer warriors to much serious prayer for our country, church leadership, those in authority, government, revival in America, Israel and help unite His people in prayer around our cities, making up a hedge of protection against the wiles of the enemy. Now the hour calls for something different- the divine connection of prayer. E-mail me today at uipwc@bellsouth.net or http://www.uipwc.com/ and lets work together in the unity of the faith. Our Lord Jesus knows that some of the battles that lay ahead will take a united effort in Jesus Christ to win the victory. Judges 5:15-20, “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. Why abodest thou among the sheepfolds, to hear the bleatings of the flocks? For the divisions of Reuben there were great searchings of heart. Gilead abode beyond Jordan: and why did Dan remain in ships? Asher continued on the sea shore, and abode in his breaches. Zebulun and Naphtali were a people that jeoparded their lives unto the death in the high places of the field. The kings came and fought, then fought the kings of Canaan in Taanach by the waters of Megiddo; they took no gain of money. They fought from heaven; the stars in their courses fought against Sisera.”
United Intercessors, a battle maiden, calls to the praying friends as Deborah called to the tribes of Israel. Sadly to say, only part of the tribes responded. Some ignored the call, others were too busy--perhaps some had their eyes on the vessel, a woman, who was not their choice. They failed to see or hear what the Spirit of the Lord was saying. God, who looks not on the outward appearance, but sees the heart, knew that Deborah was a vessel that would be industrious, faithful and committed to getting the job done for Him.
As we read in the Book of Judges about Deborah, we see that she was a servant who would stop at nothing to accomplish her commission from God. Reuben, Gilead, Dan, and others did not come to assist in the battle. We have some of the same attitudes today in the Church of Jesus Christ. The Silver Trumpet of War sounds and there are those playing on the seashore, some are fishing and others are too proud to answer the call to unity in prayer. But, we thank God for all of you the present Praying Watchmen, men and women as Zebulon and Napthali, full of valour and love for their country and communities, who will risk their lives, work & pray long hours, and give up all to bring God’s kingdom to glory by staying in the battle against spiritual wickedness in high places. Psalm 144:5-6 “Bow thy heavens, O LORD, and come down: touch the mountains, and they shall smoke. Cast forth lightning, and scatter them: shoot out thine arrows, and destroy them.”
Deborah’s enemies were scattered and fled at her presence because of the mighty blows she dealt them by the powerful Christ who dwelt in her. The heavens rained hail and brimstone upon Sisera, the enemy. The almighty God fought on their behalf. We know he will never leave or forsake us. He is our Commander-In-Chief leading the battles against the enemy. We are a Servant to the Body of Christ, instructing, and teaching how to overcome together the forces of darkness in the unity of faith. Judges 5:3 “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.”
After the battle comes a song with the victory, Joy cometh in the morning. Come and work together so we can sing a song of VICTORY! Deborah thus accomplished Israel’s first UNITED ACTION in 175 years; she knew the power of unity and the Father’s heart. Only in the unity of the faith in prayer will the church win the war against the rulers of the darkness and spiritual wickedness in high places coming against our nation, Body of Christ and His Church. Judges 5:12 “Awake, awake, Deborah: awake, awake, utter a song: arise, Barak, and lead thy captivity captive, thou son of Abinoam.”
Awake means to begin to act, to exert power, to become active. Beloved praying people wake up and utter a song of victory over the enemy. Praying friends be active, will you answer the call? Do you hear the sound of the Silver Trumpet of War-much prayer and many praying people are needed? We are presently working with many praying people, but we need many, many more.
Will you answer the call and join the Divine Connection of the Lord? Let’s unite our efforts in prayer and win our communities, nation and families for the kingdom of God. E-mail me at uipwc@bellsouth.net or call the UIPWC Prayer Line: 337-948-1501
Thank you so much for reading this message. If you would like to make a copy or copies of this newsletter, you are welcome to do so. Make sure your copy is in it's entirety and the message should not be changed. Judgment messages are very serious and those declaring them carry a big responsibility. Hilda Arredondo's name and her website http://www.uipwc.com/ and e-mail address uipwc@bellsouth.net should accompany this message as you print it. If you have any questions or comments please e-mail us. At this point we have no representatives outside this ministry and all business for the ministry is handled by hilda arredondo, 253 Blossom Rd, Opelousas, La. 70570 (337-948-1501)
