In Judges 4:4, it is written ( please read chapters 4 and 5 to get the immediate context ), " ⁴ Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, was judging Israel at that time. "  We readily recognize Deborah as being the judge of Israel and, therefore, its leader at this time.  However, we might have a tendency to overlook the fact that she had a husband.  In Numbers 5:19, it is written, " ¹⁹ Then the priest shall make her take an oath, saying, ' If no man has lain with you, and if you have not turned aside to uncleanness while you were under your husband's authority, be free from this water of bitterness that brings the curse '" ( Emphasis mine, R.E.W. ).  Furthermore, in Ephesians 5:23, it is written, " ²³ For ^c the husband is the head of the wife even as ^d Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is ^e himself its Savior. "  Thus, Deborah did not have free reign in this world — she was under her husband's authority, for example.

Athaliah ( see 2 Kings, chapter 11, for example ) usurped the throne in the southern kingdom of Judah, but was later put to death.  Also, from world history, we learn of Hatshepsut, who basically manipulated her way to becoming Pharaoh ( see the text of the article Madame Pharaoh on my weblog at " weblog.lessont.ddnsfree.com " while it will be posted there for the next few weeks ), had her reign brought to an abrupt end.  Thus, we see from both Bible history and world history that when a woman usurps the throne of the king, things do not end well for her.  The throne of the king is reserved for a man.

The Bible teaches that there is no such thing as a human being ever having free reign in this world.  We all have to submit to someone on this earth.  In Romans 13:1, it is written, " 13 Let every person ^p be subject to the governing authorities.  For ^q there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. "

Returning to Deborah, in Judges 4:6, it is written, " ⁶ She sent and summoned ^f Barak the son of Abinoam from ^g Kedesh-naphtali and said to him, ' Has not the LORD, the God of Israel, commanded you, "' Go, gather your men at Mount ^h Tabor, taking 10,000 from the people of Zebulun. '"'"  From this passage of Scripture, we learn that Barak was an irresponsible man — Deborah had to remind him what God's will ( see Matthew 7:21-27 and James 1:22, for example ) was for him.  This situation would be an embarassment for any self-respecting man.  Secondly, in Judges 4:8, it is written, " ⁸ Barak said to her, ' If you will go with me, I will go, but if you will not go with me, I will not go. '"  This passage of Scripture clearly indicates that Barak lacked the courage to lead, which is an even more embarassing situation for any self-respecting man.  Now we see clearly why Deborah was the judge of Israel at this time — there was a lack of male leadership.  God says that when the men are too sorry to lead, he will choose a woman.  This may happen in this world, but God will not tolerate this in the church of Christ.  If it does happen in this world, it signifies at least two things: ( 1 ) there has been a massive failure of male leadership and ( 2 ) the woman who finds herself in such a leadership position will not have free reign in this world.  We are nigh unto having a Madame President in this country, the United States of America.  If it does happen, we must make sure that it does not happen again.  The current situation here in America has the word " failure " written all over it.  The words of the old adage ring true: " Those who don't know history are bound to repeat it. "  As Christians, members of the church of Christ, let us assemble for worship, singing and making melody to the Lord with our hearts, for example.  Only God has free reign in this universe ( see Daniel, chapter 4 ( especially verses 2 and 17, for example ); Matthew 28:16-20 ( especially verse 18, for example ); and John 5:26, 27, for example ).  Please study the Bible.