Jael: The Gentle Warriorنموونە

Join me as we journey to discover who Warrior Jael was and the key lessons her story provides.

Jael’s story is found in the Old Testament book of Judges. To provide context, it is important to outline the time and place in which her story occurs.

The book of Judges begins with the Tribes of Israel taking possession of the Promised Land, driving out the gentile nations, and destroying their pagan altars. However, some Tribes of Israel (Judges 1:27-36) chose to ignore God’s instruction and allowed the gentile nations to live among them. Next, we encounter God rebuking Israel for their disobedience.

“Now the Angel of the LORD came up from Gilgal to Bochim. And He said, “I brought you up out of Egypt and led you into the land which I have sworn to your fathers; and I said, ‘I will never break My covenant with you, and as for you, you shall not make a covenant with the inhabitants of this land; you shall tear down their altars.’ But you have not obeyed Me; what is this thing that you have done? Therefore, I also said, ‘I will not drive them out from you; but they will become like thorns in your sides, and their gods will be a snare to you.’” Now when the Angel of the LORD spoke these words to all the sons of Israel, the people raised their voices and wept. So, they named that place Bochim; and there they sacrificed to the LORD.”(Judges 2:1-5 NASB).

After this reprimand, “The people served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who survived Joshua, who had seen all the great work of the LORD which He had done for Israel. Then Joshua, the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died at the age of 110. All that generation also were gathered to their fathers; and another generation rose up after them who did not know the LORD, nor even the work which He had done for Israel. (Judges 2:7-8, 10 NASB).

Let us pause here for a second … The first generation following Joshua (so this means his grandchildren) did not know the LORD or the great and mighty work He had done for Israel (the exodus out of Egypt, lessons experienced in the Wilderness Wandering, and the formidable conquests made in the Promised Land).

The Hebrew term translated as know in this passage is yada’, which denotes a personal and experiential form of knowledge rather than solely an intellectual understanding.

Friends, herein lies a gold nugget …Our personal (passionate, consistent, and actionable) relationship with God is a cornerstone by which we disciple our children and those in our sphere of influence. Teach from personal passion!

In Deuteronomy 6, the Israelites were given essential instructions.“And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. And you shall repeat them diligently to your sons and speak of them when you sit in your house, when you walk on the road, when you lie down, and when you get up. You shall also tie them as a sign to your hand, and they shall be as frontlets on your forehead. You shall also write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”(verses 5-9 NASB).

Let us personalize this passage into a prayer.

Abba Father, most Holy and Amazing God, we come before You with a heart full of gratitude and love. We commit to loving You with all our heart, soul, and strength. Lord, help us to keep Your Word close to our hearts, reminding us of Your presence in every moment of every day. Holy Spirit, guide us to teach and disciple from our personal, passionate relationship with You! Help us to be more aware of the opportunities throughout our day to speak of Your goodness and the truths in Your Word. May Your love be the foundation of our conversations. Help us to embody Your teachings, so that they are evident in all we do. Thank you, Father, for Your unwavering love and guidance. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Join me again tomorrow as we dive deeper into the book of Judges.