Deborah as the chief counter-example to patriarchalist restrictions

Key arguments: (1) Deborah had genuine political power over men AT GOD'S INSTIGATION (Judges 2:16,18 — God raised up judges); (2) Barak was never asked to be the judge — only to lead the army. Even after Barak stepped up, Deborah remained judge for decades; (3) Barak was shamed NOT by Deborah being judge but by Jael killing Sisera — if Deborah being judge was already shameful, Jael wouldn't need to be in the story; (4) Nothing bad is said about Deborah or her position anywhere in Scripture — extremely rare in Judges; (5) The judges were DELIVERERS, not God's judgment — she was part of God's grace and deliverance for Israel.