Deborah, a woman who was a prophetess and the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time. Judges 4:4 HCSB
My grandmother, Bonita Potter, served as the Justice of Peace in Amarillo, Texas for 25 years. She was the first woman judge in Potter County. It was unusual for women to hold positions of leadership in her time. This was an elected position and in her 25 years as the judge, she ran unopposed most of the time. She retired at the age of 75. At the age of 100 (25 years after leaving office) the news station interviewed her and did a story on her life and how she had faithfully served the people of Potter County.
In the Bible we find that several women served in positions of leadership. Romans 16:1-2 attests that Phoebe was a servant of the church. In Romans 16:3 Paul encourages his readers to greet Priscilla and Aquila and refers to them as his fellow workers in Christ Jesus. Luke 2:36-38 introduces a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel. Deborah was an exceptional woman and was obviously the best person for the job. God chose her to lead Israel.
Challenge: God can choose anyone to lead His people – young, old, man, or woman. God has created everyone equal and does not look at people through the lenses of prejudice. He is more concerned about the person's heart, faith, and trust than their gender, color of skin, or age. Respect and pray for those who God has put in positions of leadership regardless if the person is male, female, young, or old.
Read The Bible Through In Two Years: Genesis 26:1-35; Matthew 17:1-27
I apologize for not including Saturday and Sunday's readings on Friday.
Saturday: Psalm 5 and 6; Matthew 15:1-28
Sunday: Genesis 25:1-34; Matthew 15:29 – 16:28