Jael: The Gentle Warriorනියැදිය

Welcome back! We will pick up the narrative where we ended yesterday.

Sisera was the commander of King Jabin’s army and lived in Harosheth, an epicenter of military activity (Judges 4:2).

“The sons of Israel cried to the LORD; for he [Sisera] had nine hundred iron chariots, and he oppressed the sons of Israel severely for twenty years.”Judges 4:3 NASB [implication added].

Sisera, a powerful commanding officer and Canaanite, oppressed them…severely…for 20 years! To paint a picture in your mind, allow me to take what the Bible says and combine it with what we historically know about this period.

Judges 4 takes place in the Late Bronze Age (circa 1300-1400 B.C.E.).

Sisera held military power at this time, giving him control of the international trade route in this region. Trade in this era meant one’s livelihood. Shepherds depended on the selling of wool and young lambs to buy grain, cloth, or building materials. Likewise, a vineyardist depended on the selling of wines and fruit to purchase goods for their family’s survival.

The Israelites would have been suffering economically during this period. Food and material goods would have been in scarcity. With enemy forces in control of the trade route, the Israelites would have been an easy target for vandals and highway robbers (Judges 5:7).

In Judges 5, we catch a glimpse of what Sisera’s reign of terror looked like. Sisera was a powerful and ruthless commander, striking fear into the hearts of many. He felt no remorse in plundering and terrorizing; he felt no inhibition to rape and kill the innocent (Judges 5:6-8; 28-30).

An army consisting of 900 iron chariots gives insight into the amplitude of Sisera’s power and reach. The use of iron chariots suggests Sisera’s army had advanced technological development. Iron chariots were superior in battle, offering better protection for soldiers, and greater effort would be needed to overcome such a foe. The sight of a large number of iron chariots would have a significant psychological effect on its opponents, instilling fear.

The ability to produce iron chariots suggests that the Canaanites had economic and industrial advancements. The labor required to mine such a vast amount of ore leads me to believe the Israelites were utilized as forced labor for this toilsome job.

An army of 900 chariots would have anywhere from 1,800-2,700 soldiers in the chariots alone, with potentially thousands more infantry soldiers supporting them. Maintaining a force this size was no small task. Furthermore, chariot soldiers were highly skilled and devoted to full-time training. They were fierce warriors in their own right! Finally, chariot horses were specifically bred and trained for combat. This would have required substantial amounts of pastureland and training areas. Just think, how much land and food it would require to maintain 900+ horses!

How often do we allow the magnitude of our current problems to dwarf our faith in God?

Hear this friend, God is the same yesterday, today, and forever! The same God who parted the Red Sea, who fed 5000+ with five loaves and two fish, who raised JESUS CHRIST from the dead – is the One we can come before right now! How amazing and humbling is this?!

Reflect upon the goodness of God– think of the various ways you have seen His mighty hand at work in your life. Give thanks to Him– pour out your praises to our AWESOME GOD!