The Warrior Wife: Courageous. Powerful. Lovely...

The Warrior Wife: Courageous. Powerful. Lovely...: In this beautiful painting of Deborah, Israel's only woman Judge, the artist, Donna Smallenberg, (www.donnasmallenberg.com) captures Debora...

Courageous. Powerful. Lovely...

In this beautiful painting of Deborah, Israel's only woman Judge, the artist, Donna Smallenberg, (www.donnasmallenberg.com) captures Deborah's essence, that of a brave leader with the genteel of the feminine.  Deborah oversees her responsibilities with Holy wisdom that reflects her reliance upon God.  Donna shares her thoughts in creating this piece:


This painting portrays Deborah, the prophetess, crowned in victory, high on a cliff on Mt. Tabor as the Israelites are in battle against their oppressors in the valley below. During those times the Israelites didn't have any weapons (Judges 5:8) a direct result of their rebellion. I show Deborah having weapons and armor because of her dependence on God. She watches what unfolds in the heavens, not the earthly battle below. She symbolically represents the church of our day, and challenges and encourages us to take hold of the heights in God.


This is why I chose her to represent The Warrior Wife.  God is calling His women forth - to rise up and move in the authority and power of our great God. Fighting not in the flesh, but in the spirit, against the darkness that tortures, tempts, and taunts us and those we love.
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 6


Our faith is inspired and engaged when we remember the battle belongs to the Lord. And we are able to answer the assault on our lives with a shield of faith and sword of the Spirit, and determine this day to not give the enemy another inch of ground.
Consider our retreat November 4 and 5, 2011 in Carmichael, California. Becoming the Warrior Wife - Bold and Courageous.  Register at heather.duzan@gmail.com.

Deborah - Warrior, Prophet, Judge of Israel

Deborah, a woman, a powerful, respected, influential leader in the Old Testament, stands out like the North Star on a clear night.  A beacon among the stars, she shines brilliant in the vast history of the Israelites.  Traditionally, men dominated the leadership positions, while courageous, noble women of great valor served in the shadows. 

I have no argument with gender roles in the history of “humankind” if you will…because I understand the necessity and relevance of male instincts, such as to protect and provide.  I am way okay with a man wrestling with a wild boar to save my life and feed me with it later.  In the context of time in history, Deborah’s rise to power had to have been a surprise to some and a welcome relief to many.

Deborah was one of the most heroic women in the Old Testament. She was a prophet, wife, counselor, warrior, and only woman judge in Israel. She is found in the book of Judges chapters 4-5.  As a prophetess, speaking on behalf of God, she delivered instructions and outcomes to military leaders.  At the time of her leadership, Israel was under Canaanite rule.  It was Deborah’s prophecy that rallied the military leaders to overthrow Jabin, king of Canaan, with a small army against his 900 iron chariots, and restored peace to Israel for 40 years.  Against all odds…that is our God.

Deborah…a warrior wife, mother, leader of a nation.  My kind of girl.

So, what would your world be like if you truly embraced your privileged position as a daughter of God entrusted with gifts and talents to be used for His glory?