Mary Magdelane and Deborah
Uploaded by joeydaprof on Jun 12, 2006
Women have been an integral part of the expression, development and life of all religious traditions. During the early years of the life of Christianity and Judaism, women have made a contribution that has influenced their respective tradition’s expression. In this essay two important women Deborah and Mary Magdalene will be explored thoroughly with a concise analysis on how these two women responded to their founder or made choices that affected the lived expression of their tradition.
The importance of Deborah and Mary Magdalene in their respective faiths is…
Deborah was a prophetess and the fourth Judge and only female Judge of pre-monarchic Israel in the Old Testament. Her moral authority was regarded as appointed by the Lord, and her judgement was greatly sought and highly trusted. It was through Deborah’s knowledge she was able to grant advice to people. Her leadership was also what granted Barak the ability to go to war. It was in this way that she was able to protect and continue the religious traditions. The fact that she did not rely on her husband or male relatives also made her an example for contemporary Jewish women today.
During the time of Deborah’s rule, the nation of Israel had been under domination by the Canaanites for twenty years. They had suffered terrible atrocities and finally began to cry out to God for deliverance from this enemy. (Judges 4:3) God heard their cries and so He sent forth Deborah to lead the Israelites against Jabin, King of Canaan (Judges 4 and 5). She encouraged her general Barak although outnumbered in strength to attack the enemy while the river was in full flood. The Canaanites were incapacitated by their iron chariots and the Israelites won a famous victory through God.
Deborah became a legendary figure because of her faith in God and her charismatic inspirational leadership. She is seen in the Book of Judges 4-5 as one who is obedient to the Lord and who had an immense faith in Him. Her courage, humility and faith reinforced a great deal how the Jewish followers should serve God.
Deborah’s song of triumph (Judges 5) is thought to be one of the earliest Hebrew poems in existence and is considered one of the few pieces of inspired writing unequalled by men, showing her faith in God. In the ‘song of triumph’ Deborah sings to the Lord with thanks and praise...