Deborah: A Judge in Israel
My husband, Aaron, with Nijay at the Storyline Bible study series launch party.
Dr. Nijay Gupta—New Testament scholar and professor—joined me on the Holy Curiosity podcast to talk about Deborah, one of the women featured in his book, Tell Her Story.
Nijay’s passion for biblical scholarship and ministry is evident in everything he does. Coming to faith as a teenager in a Hindu family, he quickly developed a deep love for Scripture. His academic journey took him through rigorous biblical studies, including Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic, and today, his mission is to equip pastors and leaders with a deeper understanding of God’s Word.
As someone who has wrestled with the historical and theological significance of women in leadership, Nijay’s insights into Deborah’s story are compelling. Together, we explored her role as a judge and how she fits into the broader biblical narrative.
Deborah’s Leadership
Deborah Was Already Leading Before She Was “Called”
Unlike many other judges in Israel, Deborah wasn’t suddenly raised up in a time of crisis—she was already doing the work. Judges like Gideon had to be persuaded and molded into their roles, but Deborah was already sitting under her palm tree, dispensing wisdom and guiding the people of Israel. She was a prophet, a military strategist, and a trusted leader long before her defining moment.Deborah Stands in the Tradition of Moses and Samuel
Many scholars, including Nijay, note that Deborah’s leadership closely mirrors that of Moses and Samuel. Like them, she served as a judge and a prophet, guiding Israel not just in military matters but in spiritual and judicial ones as well. This connection elevates her status in biblical history—she wasn’t an anomaly, but rather part of a divine pattern of leadership.Deborah’s Leadership Challenges Gender Assumptions
Nijay pointed out that, throughout church history, Deborah has often been framed as God’s “plan B” because no men were available to lead. But that assumption doesn’t hold up when you look at the text. Barak, a capable warrior, was present in the story, yet God still chose Deborah to lead. This challenges traditional assumptions about leadership and reminds us that God calls whom He wills, regardless of cultural expectations.
Calling All Deborah’s
Deborah was not an exception or an afterthought—she was a divinely appointed leader. God knew the nation needed judges like Moses and Deborah, bold in the face of military crises.
Deborah’s story, much like Moses’, is one of unshakable faith during the darkest seasons of Israel’s history—a lesson in trusting God when the odds are against you, when your people have lost sight of victory and can only see doom and gloom.
If this conversation has sparked your curiosity, I invite you to dive deeper by listening to my full discussion with Dr. Nijay Gupta on Holy Curiosity.
🎧 Subscribe, listen, and review the episode with Nijay here → www.katarmstrong.com/podcast
Stay curious, y’all.
