At the Coffee and Bible Time podcast, our goal is to help you delight in God's Word and thrive in Christian living.

Each week, we talk to subject matter experts who broaden your biblical understanding,

encourage you in hard times, and provide life-building tips to enhance your Christian walk.

We are so glad you have joined us.

Welcome back to the Coffee and Bible Time podcast.

I'm Ellen, your host.

And today you will be inspired by the leadership and courage of one particular woman in the Bible.

The book of judges recalls one of the darkest and most chaotic periods of Israel's history

when the nation struggled with a lack of strong leadership.

The people faced constant threats from their enemies and without

direction, chaos reigned. But into this uncertainty stepped an unlikely leader, Deborah. She was not

just a prophet, but also a wife, mother, priest, and judge.

Deborah responded to her calling and led Israel to one of its most pivotal victories, bringing order out of chaos.

Our guest today, Dr. Sandra Richter, has written a comprehensive Bible study on Deborah and is here to better acquaint us with the Old

Testament account of her story and why it's essential to understand the era of the judges, delving

into its archaeology, geography, and cultural context. Learning more about the Old Testament

is important because it greatly influences our

understanding of key biblical teachings. Dr. Sandra Richter is the chair of biblical studies at

Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California, and a sought-after speaker. She earned her Ph.D. in Hebrew Bible from

Harvard University and her MA in Theological Studies from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary.

She is the author of the Epic of Eden, a Christian entry into the Old Testament. She has taught at Asbury Theological Seminary,

Wesley Biblical Seminary, and Wheaton College. She is a member of the new international version

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