In  Judges 4-5, Deborah a woman was used by God to judge, prohesy, and rule over Israel like Moses in the time of the judges.  However the scriptures  noting the spiritual climate of that time, (judges 4:1-2)  points out that the people led by their leaders who were men (4:1 "the sons", 3:2)  had  chosen to serve other gods.(4:1, 5:8). Furthermore the text  suggests that  being made fearful in light of the strength of their enemies the men who  made up their army and leaders (3:2)would not dare to take up arms in the day of battle. As a result they lived in days where they desired the times of Moses, and Shamgar because being oppressed by their enemies there was no mighty man to deliver, and also a prophet to lead them like Moses with mighty acts. (Judges 4:2-3 5:4-8, ).  being hard pressed, by their enemies and not being able to deliver themselves, theyprayed to God for deliverance knowing that they could not fight the might of their oppressor ( Judges 4:3).  However, because of the unfaithfulness of the men and the nation as a whole, God in answer to their prayer(4:3a,4) raised up a woman Deborah who being faithful like Elijah  who did not bow down to Baal to serve those foreign gods, to lead and serve them as a Judge and prophetess like Moses ( Judges 4:3-5, seat of moses to judge, prophesy by the hand of the spirit). From these evidences it appears that because of the Moral bankruptcy, lack of Zeal for the glory of God,timidness, and idoloatry by the men who were not rousing themselves to be used by God, God  raised up Deborah because ,although a woman ,she  was qualified in the sense of character, ( not participating in idolatry, Judges 5:7-8), Zeal for the glory of God  and fierceness to see righteousness and justice.( the Spirit of Elijah). In light of this it seems very suggestive that  Deborah's calling and legal appointment by God  to be  a true public leader, prophet, and a judge  of Israel although  she was a woman  and the whole chapter on Her (4-5) were written  to be a  polemic,  calling especially the men of Isreal (sons) to faith, repentance, true worship, and righteousness that is fitting for godly leaders and judges, and true manhood.( i am not saying that the story is fictitious, no, i am only saying that God's purpose, in both the appointment of Deborah, and the writing of this account as a part of  God's word was to serve a polemic purpose to us and Israel).

Further argument supporting the thesis above are

1. The spiritual climate and fear of the leaders even the godly ones in the time of Deborah. for this notice that they did not pray as those who were hoping that God will raise up from among them a leader to deliver, instead it was out of the sense of helplessness in light of the power of Jabin's army which they knew they could not overcome that made them cry (vrs 3 " "For" is the same as "because", thus stating the reason why they cried to God for a deliverer. Sounds like they will looking for a miracle from God and not wanting to go to battle).

2. Deborah's song tells us that the leaders led not as those rallying the people behind them like Saul (1 Sam 11:1-7). Rather they hanging loose ( the literal reading of Judges 5:2) only ask the people to volunteer acknowledging that they were timid as well as the rest.

3. Even the righteous who did not serve idols like Barak were timid. becuase of that the victory though ultimately won by God was by the hands of a woman. Notice that it was on account of the fear displayed by Barak that Deborah told her ( Ichabod) the glory of the victory will be given to a woman and not you ( Judges 4:6-7, the great but, 8-9).

4. The fact that Deborah says strong men are lacking to the extent that those in the army will not take up arms in the day of battle suggest the fear in the heart of even the soldiers. ( 5:6-8).

5.the whole climate before Jael killed  Sisera was one of fear so much that people will not take  the highway which was mostly filled with people , but will instead use the backroads, (Judges 5:7). Also farming or was not practiced publicly, so that it was done in secret like Gideon ( 5:7, cf 6:11)

6. Instead picking a man and soldiers who were from  tribes that were known for their bravery and valor, both the man chosen to lead the army and the soldiers were from tribes that did not have men renown for their valor, they were peasants and men who ruled.( Judges 4:6,10, 5:11,14-1516-18 ). THus Deborah in 5:15-18 rips into the mighty tribes who did not join them in the battle because they were afraid.

7.Like Miriam who was a prophetess under moses, thus exercised her calling in submission to Moses. Also who   when she protested with Aaron concerning Moses's authority  was made a leper. (Num 12:1-9). other prophetess' in scripture, also were not in the limelight, served under men who were greater in authority, eg. Isaiah's wife the prophetess, Naodiah and Huldah all not serving in the temple but outside it, no major prophecies given to them, philip's 4 daughters, distinquished from the prophets in the church.(acts 13:1) .  Unlike these prophetess' Deborah, though called a prophetess, functioned as a  moses, judged the people, and brought the word of the lord (teaching, prophesying). This shows that her case is very unique. Hence showing that for a peculiar reason  God put her in the position of prominence throughout scripture was occupie by men. The thing  being done by God was to use her her to rebuke the men and call them to repentance.

8. Her  name Deborah and the meaning being (bee) suggest that she was a stinger, that is bring judgment. However more striking is the fact that she is said to be married to one by the name Lapidoth which being translated is " a man of Fire". Hence for the paradox to be more apparent she being the  woman rather was the one of fire in contrast to her husband who we never hear about ( no fire). Thus she lived up to the name of her husband, her surname if you would. ( this is not to suggest that she was a feminist or an usurper, no its only in regard to her godly zeal, which helped qualified her for the office of the prophet)

Conclusions:

1. This shows Deborah's role as an authentic leader in Israel in the time of the judges cannot be used as a  model to teach that women can lawfully occupy authority in the church ( teaching, preaching, leadership).

2. The contrast between her and the other prophetess' in scripture  show her to be the only woman who ever was given such a place in the whole scriptures. Thus clearly stating she was an exception and not the rule., chosen to be used by God who even uses men like Nebuchadnezzer to correct his people and trials, sin to mature them.

3. The majority of evidence in favor of women's prophetic ministry (teaching, preaching) is one supports Pauls teaching in 1 COr 11 that outside the gathered church, women can exercise rule in spiritual things. However when done in the presencse of their husbands (head) it has to be done in submission to them symbolised by the covering of their hair.

4. Miriam considered as prophetess was only one that helped the people especially the women to sing that song which Moses composed. (Exodus 15:1, Rev 15:2-4). Hence her role was similar to that of the women in the church who helped Paul and like those who helped christ in her ministry. Thus women like Lydia, Euodia and synteche, Phil 4, phebe,Rom 16) etc. Miriam's role could give credence for roles like head of women's ministry in the church. Thus a role helping rather than usurping that of the minister ( Moses). Same as Titus 2:2-5 (older women's leading  ministry to the young women as part of helping them to fulfill God's will for women which is the very thing Titus (preachers) are commanded to teach. And helpers of the Deacons in the church.( phebe)

Eschatololgical implications of story

5. On a more seperate note this is why this story can be used as a parody  teaching in a type  what happens in the last day concerning the beast aka the antichrist, the false prophet and babylon the great. (Rev 13).In that sense the 3 figures of Israel are the head of the evil empire, and the Israelites the apostate  world with the sisera and the canaanites being Christ and the Church.

Thus beast = Barak ( the man from the tribe of Naphtali who though small were rulers, and not men of war, very diplomatic people, also the name Barak is the same as baruch which means the branch, a messianic title Zech 3:8, 6:12,).

Deborah = the false prophet ( a false version of true religion,a false prophet of christianity)

Jael = babylon the great , apostate religion, foreign to true worship, a harlot just like Jezebel whose Baal worship was accepted by Israel. (Jael married to kenite who are foreigners assimilated to Israel, Moses married a woman who was a cushite same as a Kenite Numb12 :1, Judges 1:16), thus Jael's association with foreigners.also Jael in the hebrew means worthless  idols, and also a moutain goat remember the goats of Daniel's prohecy and goat idols of Egypt, golden calf, they are Jaels, thus coutries like Egypt, Persia (Iran), Greece (what is the modern country??? Daniel 8, related to Roman empire??? in what form in the last days).

Sisera = christ, though a foreigner the name Sisera translates to a mediator, a commander of a great  and mighty army (host),ie the Lord of Hosts).

Jabin= the father ( jabin means the wise one, a discerner, remember ancient of Days in Daniel),

Hazor being the capital of canaan was the stronghold for the canaanites, it means the court, the place of rule, thus heaven the throne of God's reign and the place where his reign come from.

Canaan is the land of promise, it means the humbled, lowly, thus the Canaanites are chirstians the lowly. And their land is the land of promise. ( New heavens and earth, Heb 11:9-16).

 Isreal- means persistance, unstoppable, thus the world described like waters of the sea rage and appear to be unstoppable in their antichristian cause. At times  seems  like Jacob have victory over God himself through persecution and resistance of his will. Yet just as things are switched the and Israel being Canaan, Isreal will be defeated by Sisera and his mighty army ultimately. interestingly, the root of the name Israel is almost impossible to ascertain, showing the that the world  and its victories over God is only that which " seems to be so ", its an appearance,temporal,  (1 John 2:15-17)

This use of the scripture as a parody is warranted because of the polemic nature of the account. Thus it is a presentation of Paradoxes. ( "Unlike" places like Isa 53 or Joseph, Moses, etc who are directly types of Christ and his people.).