Deborah was a Prophetess who judged Israel. Deborah's prophecy was fulfilled. (Judges 9:9)

The judges were temporary deliverers, sent by God to deliver Israelites from their oppressors. Their name in Hebrew is Shophetim and, which is same as that for ordinary judges. For, though their first work was that of deliverers and leaders in war, they then administered justice to people and their authority supplied want of a regular government.

The Book of Judges called in Hebrew 'Shofetim" (judge), a term identical with Carthaginian 'Sufetes,' althought two offices were not of same nature.

The Book may be divided into three parts. Chapters 2:6-16 begins with an introduction explaining spiritual significance of events narrated.

Fourth Judge: Deborah and Barak

Let's look at Judges 4:4-9; 14, 15 and 17a

verse 4...And Deborah, a prophetess, wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.

Deborah was not chosen by people or appointed by people. God raised her up to help His people, and thus she judged Israel at that time. The record teaches us that Deborah was a prophetess. Deborah was judge and one who had gift of prophecy.

verse 5...And she dwelt under palm tree of Deborah, between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and children of Israel came up to her for judgment.

Mount Ephraim is all hill country belonging to tribe of Ephraim. The word "dwelt" could be that Deborah lived there or that was place at which she gave justice to those who came up to her for judgment.

verse 6...And she sent and called Barak son of Abinoam out of Kedesh-naphtali, and said unto him, Hath not LORD God of Israel commanded, saying: Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of children of Naphtali and of children of Zebulun?

Barak lived around 80 miles to north of where Deborah held court, but it appears he came when Deborah called him. Deborah told Barak that she was giving him message of Lord God of Israel, not of her own. God wanted Barak to assemble an army of 10,000 men from tribe of Naphtali which was Barak's own tribe and neighbor tribe of Zebulun. Barak was to lead army to Mount Tabor.

verse 7...And I will draw unto thee, to river Kishon, Sisera captain of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into thine hand.

The Lord planned to deliver men into Barak's hand: He promised victory to Barak and his army.

First, I would like to share that I do not hold a postion of clergy, pastor, minister nor evangelist. I have never studied Theology nor taken religion classes in any school.

I do not represent nor am I certified in any specific field. My only resource is Holy Inspired Written Word of God ...The Bible. One thing for certain I believe and stand on -- ALL Mankind IS precious.

The Biblical Truth on Record: The greatest message of Esther is a divine providence, by which God can rule and overrule in affairs of men and work events out according to his will. The king had a sleepless night at exactly right time - night before first banquet (Esther 6:1). God could easily cause that. The king had book of records brought before him and read. The result was that Mordecai was honored on very day that Haman planned to hang him. Then at second banquet Esther, was in a postion to plead for her life and lives of her people. (Esther 7).

It will help to think of Daniel or Esther when ever in a hard place. But remember most of all that Lord is your helper as he was theirs.

Key Words in Esther 4:10-17; 9:20-22, 26 and 27: Hatach, commandment, unto Mordecai, one law of his, golden sceptre, I have not been called, Think not, enlargement, from another place, fast ye for me, and 15th day, Purim and such as joined themselves unto them.

The identification of Hebrew name Ahasuerus with Xerxes was determined via of Babylonian form of name. Ahasuerus is mentioned in one verse in Book of Ezra 4:6 and in period of his reign comes chronologically during part of 57 years which elasped after events recorded in Ezra 6 and before those of Ezra 7.

The book of Esther was written in Persian period around 406 - 359 BC, by a Susan Jew who was familiar with palace, and with Persian history, and with Persian customs.