Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time. She used to sit under the palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the people of Israel came up to her for judgment. – Judges 4:4-5 (ESV)
Barak said to her, “If you will go with me, I will go, but if you will not go with me, I will not go.” And she said, “I will surely go with you. Nevertheless, the road on which you are going will not lead to your glory, for the Lord will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.” Then Deborah arose and went with Barak to Kedesh. – Judges 4:8-9 (ESV)
God shows up when his people cry for help. God’s word comes through Deborah to a man of Naphtali named Barak. The message was that he would lead the revolt against Sisera.
Everyone was afraid of Sisera, including Barak. Deborah agrees to accompany Barak, but she also prophesies that the honor and the victory would belong to a woman, not Barak.