Jael: The Gentle WarriorSample

You came back! There is so much to unpack in just this little bit of scripture. But as you may have noticed by now, this type of study is my ‘bread and butter.’ I enjoy digging in and seeing how different scriptures, places, and people connect. For me, it is like coloring in a black & white photo – the color completes it and gives it new dimension and depth!

All right, so yesterday we left off with the plausible theory that Heber left his tribe and moved to Kedesh, near Hazor, for job security reasons and possibly as he chose not to follow Yahweh. We will come back to this later. Right now, we continue in the scriptures where we left off, in verse 12.

"Then they told Sisera that Barak, the son of Abinoam had gone up to Mount Tabor. Sisera called together all his chariots, nine hundred iron chariots, and all the people who were with him, from Harosheth-hagoyim to the river Kishon. Deborah said to Barak, "Arise! For this is the day in which the LORD has given Sisera into your hands; behold, the LORD has gone out before you." So, Barak went down from Mount Tabor with ten thousand men following him. The LORD routed Sisera and all his chariots and all his army with the edge of the sword before Barak; and Sisera alighted from his chariot and fled away on foot. But Barak pursued the chariots and the army as far as Harosheth-hagoyim, and all the army of Sisera fell by the edge of the sword; not even one was left."Judges 4:12-16 NASB.

This is where the action happens! Sisera has been informed that Barak and the Hebrew army have assembled at Mount Tabor. Remember that Mount Tabor was located along the international trade route, so when Barak and his army of 10,000 amassed there, it sent a clear message to Sisera. And boy-oh-boy, Sisera brought out the big guns (not really, but 900 iron chariots + thousands of infantry is a pretty daunting power move).

“Arise! For this is the day in which the LORD has given Sisera into your hands; behold, the LORD has gone out before you.”(verse 14). Notice the use of “has given” and “has gone out,” indicating that, according to God, the battle had already been won. The Lord of Hosts was actively intervening on behalf of His people. When God says something is done/complete, there is no alternative; it will be as He decrees!

“The LORD routed Sisera and all his chariots and all his army with the edge of the sword before Barak.” (verse 15). Some translations expound on this event:

• “The LORD threw Sisera, all his charioteers, and all his army into a panic before Barak’s assault” (CSB).
• “And Jehovah destroyeth Sisera, and all the chariots, and all the camp, by the mouth of the sword, before Barak.” (Young’s Literal Translation).

Any way you look at it, this battle was fought and the enemy annihilated by God’s angelic army. Yahweh Sabaoth! LORD of Hosts & King of Glory!

Join me in prayer and praise to our Great God!

Heavenly Father, LORD of Hosts, King of Glory,

Oh … You are marvelous, too marvelous for our mere words. Nevertheless, You Lord see our hearts … and the awe that is pouring forth in recognition of who You are and all You have done. You have defeated the enemy; death and the grave no longer have a hold on us. We have been brought forth out of the pit, out of darkness, out of depression, out of addiction, and INTO YOUR MARVELOUS LIGHT! Praise be unto Your Name! Thank You! In Jesus’ name, Amen!