‘Wake up, wake up, Deborah! Wake up, wake up, break out in song!’ (Jdg. 5:12)
Deborah was a judge, a prophetess and a worshipper. She was also a wife and a mother. But she was a spiritual ‘mother in Israel’ to many. She rose to call the people of Israel to fight the oppressors. Her testimony as a woman of God was so impressive that when she called them, leaders and thousands of men enrolled in the army of the Living God. She was a catalyst for revival in Israel in a season when all feared to stand for the truth. She is obviously filled with the Holy Spirit. She boldly declares the mind of God to all. She is not discouraged by them who refuse her call. She uses the resources available to her, ‘the willing volunteers of Israel’. She praises God for what is available and does not complain for what is not. Men awake from their slumber and see in her not just a woman, but the power of God perfected in weakness, the clear testimony of Christ. This humble sister proves that God can use any vessel, if willing, holy and prepared.
Her name Deborah in Hebrew means ‘the Bee’. There are many lessons we learn from the bees, little insects that God has created.

TRUE FACTS ABOUT BEES
Bees are flying insects closely related to wasps and ants, and are known for their role in pollination and for producing honey. It is estimated that 33% of the human food supply depends on insect pollination, most of which is accomplished by bees.
A honeybee can fly 24 km in an hour at a speed of 15 mph. The wings of a honeybee beat 200 times per second or 12,000 beats per minute. The bees communicate by means of chemical messages, touch, sound and a symbolic dance language.
There are three kinds of bees in a hive: Queen, Workers and Drones:
•The Queen bee is only one and she lays the eggs
•The Worker bees are very many, they are all female and they do all the work for the hive including cleaning, feeding the babies, taking care and building and repairing honeycombs. They are all barren. They have stingers and fight in case of attack.
•The drone bees are all male and their only duty is to be ready to fertilize a receptive queen. They do not make honey and they do not fight for they do not have stingers.

PARASITIC BEES
Parasitic, or cuckoo, bees are those that do not make nests themselves but use the nests and food of other bees to provide for their parasitic young. They hide their eggs in the brood chambers before the hosts lay theirs. The young of the parasitic bees then feed on the food that was stored in the chamber by the host female. The eggs or young larvae of the host bee are killed either by the parasitic female or by her larvae. Social parasites can also kill the resident queen, lay their own eggs in the host’s cells, and then force the host’s workers to raise the young parasitic bees. Females of parasitic bees lack such special features as pollen baskets or pollen brushes since they do not look for food for their young. Spiritually speaking they stand for wayward wives and mothers or false brethren.

BEE ATTACKS
A honey bee away from the hive does not sting, except when stepped on or roughly handled. Honey bees will actively seek out and sting when they perceive the hive to be threatened. The workers can sting only once, and they die. The queen can sting repeatedly and does not die. Her sting is not for defense of the hive; she only uses it for fighting rival queens who want to take over the home.
This is the advice given to men who are attacked by bees: once the bees get provoked, the most important thing to do is RUN away as fast as possible. The bees hate dark colors. Dress up in white when you go near bees. Do not try to retrieve belongings nearby. Do not try to stand still in an attempt to fool the bees. That may work with a snake under certain circumstances, but honey bees won’t be impressed. Do not try to fight the bees they have the advantage of numbers and the gift of flight. They can follow people for more than a quarter mile. The more you flail your arms, the madder they will get. Just run indoors as fast as possible. Any covering for your body and especially for your head and face will help you escape.
Although it may be tempting, do not jump into water! The bees will wait for you to come up for air and attack you again.

IN CHRIST I DECLARE:
I am gentle and sweet (like the honey-bee) and tough in warfare (like its sting)!
I submit to others in the Body of Christ as honor to Him!
I am hard working and zealous, serving the Lord!
I am fast, with my feet fitted with the readiness of proclaiming the Gospel of peace!
I keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, in my marriage, in my home and in the church!
I praise God with singing and dancing! I love congregational praise!
I know my place and my gifts in the Body of Christ. I know my boundaries and I do not trespass into another man’s ministry!
I am not a busybody! I have zeal perfected by knowledge! I am not a fool! I am not deceived!
I am fruitful! My children are so many, like the stars in the sky!
I watch over the affairs of my household!
I inspect the doors and the windows; the possible points of contact and weak places that the enemy can use to enter!
No one comes in and out of my home without my permission, prayer and blessing!
I totally refuse give the devil a foothold in my home!
I reject the false brethren who desire to creep into my home to steal my peace, my children, my reward and my crown!
I am cautious with ‘friends’! I do not have ‘personal’ friends! All my relationships are on the altar of God and for His glory!
I am not a trouble- maker but I am not passive with evil! I do not tolerate sin in my life and in my home!
I am ready to lay down my life for my family!
I present my body as a living sacrifice, an acceptable worship to God!
I am ready to attack the devil and his agents. I will pursue, overtake and recover all!
I am prepared for warfare!
I do not draw back until the victory is gained!
I cannot be deceived by the wiles of the devil! He cannot run or hide where I will not get him!
The water spirits cannot save my enemies! They are all losers!
I can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me!
In Jesus name,
Amen!