Jael: The Gentle Warriorಮಾದರಿ

Without further delay, we will pick up where we left off yesterday.

“Jael went out to meet Sisera, and said to him, “Turn aside, my master, turn aside to me! Do not be afraid.” And he turned aside to her into the tent, and she covered him with a rug. He said to her, “Please give me a little water to drink, for I am thirsty.” So, she opened a bottle of milk and gave him a drink; then she covered him. He said to her, “Stand in the doorway of the tent, and it shall be if anyone comes and inquires of you, and says, ‘Is there anyone here?’ that you shall say, ‘No.’” Judges 4:18-20 NASB.

After running a half-marathon, Sisera was disheveled, dusty, and utterly exhausted. Jael’s greeting for Sisera indicates she knew who he was and the authority he carried as King Jabin’s commanding officer. The scriptures do not elaborate on Jael’s thought process as she encounters Sisera. But we can conclude that his reputation preceded him. As seen in Judges 5, Sisera was known to take whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted, and without remorse.

The question arises of whether Jael knew of the battle taking place at Mount Tabor? Did she suspect Sisera was fleeing from it? It can be safe to surmise that the arrival of Sisera on foot and alone, without entourage, indicated to Jael that this was an extraordinary turn of events.

As I read this text, I envision the scene playing out. Jael is the picture of humble hospitality. She invites Sisera into her tent, assuages his fear, leads him to the most comfortable spot where he can rest, and covers him with a blanket. Sisera, parched after his jog in the desert, asks for a little water to drink.

By now, Jael has seen the truly defenseless state Sisera finds himself in. Just as the LORD of Hosts supernaturally intervened at Mount Tabor, even now God was leading Jael’s actions. She serves Sisera milk, knowing this would further relax him and render him lethargic. Sisera then instructs her not to tell anyone that he is in her tent. Hearing this request would have solidified that he was being sought after by someone intending to harm him.

“But Jael, Heber’s wife, took a tent peg and seized a hammer in her hand, and went secretly to him and drove the peg into his temple, and it went through into the ground; for he was sound asleep and exhausted. So, he died.” Judges 4:21 NASB.

*Audible gasp*

Jael … drove a tent peg into Sisera’s temple … and it went all the way through into the ground!

For context, a tent peg from this era typically measured between 12 and 24 inches in length, with a diameter ranging from ½ inch to ¾ inch. It could have been made from wood or metal, with the latter being more probable. Even so, Jael would have needed considerable strength and precision to successfully drive a tent peg through a skull bone and into the ground.

Yes, the element of surprise was on Jael’s side – and no, I do not want to get more morbid about this than necessary … but I do want to convey the magnitude of force and precision that it would have required to perform such a mighty, harrowing act.

Friends …Jael’s action was AMPLIFIED by the hand of Almighty God. He divinely magnified Jael’s movement to bring an end to Sisera and bring deliverance to His people.

Yesterday, we left a question unanswered –what significance does Jael, the wife of a Canaanite ally, have in this story?

Per cultural traditions, Jael likely had no say in whom she was to marry. Considering her heroic deed, she feared God above all else. From our human perspective, a situation or a relationship may seem hopeless or destitute. However, we only see one viewpoint, one realm – and God … well, He is the LORD of Hosts, the Ancient of Days, the Almighty Sufficient One. There is no limit to His power or His reach. He sees the physical, spiritual, and all else in between.

Today we discovered that Jael was the woman prophesied by Deborah in Judges 4:9. Once again, we witness God choosing a deliverer, not because they were the strongest, possessed beauty, or had the most influence –He chose them because He saw their heart … a heart that knew (yada’) and feared Him.

“And behold, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out to meet him and said to him, 'Come, and I will show you the man whom you are seeking.” And he entered with her, and behold, Sisera was lying dead with the tent peg in his temple. So, God subdued on that day Jabin, the king of Canaan, before the sons of Israel. The hand of the sons of Israel pressed heavier and heavier upon Jabin the king of Canaan, until they had destroyed Jabin the king of Canaan.” Judges 4:22-24 NASB.

In these last verses, Jael’s humility and valor shine brightly. In Deborah’s Song (Judges 5), Jael is called the most blessed of women and praised for her bravery.

Friends, let this be our desire …to simply act and allow God to AMPLIFY our efforts. To one day stand in His Presence and hear, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."

Join me in prayer.

Heavenly Father, our Good Shepherd, our Faithful Friend,

Thank you for Your Holy inspired Word. Your Word is life; Your Word is truth. Lord, forgive us for the times we have allowed inaction, insecurity, and fear to dictate our choices. We want to move when you tell us to. We desire to have our actions be amplified by Your power, love, and grace. Oh, Blessed Redeemer, redeem that in which we have failed. Holy Spirit, guide and lead us each step forward. We need You, Lord! Thank You for Your ever-present Spirit! We love You; we thank You! In Jesus' name, Amen.

Thank you for taking the time to read this Bible Plan. For additional resources, please connect with us in the Christian Mommas Community.