Jael: The Gentle WarriorНамуна

Yesterday, we discovered essential background information relevant to Jael’s narrative. Today, we will continue to set the scene.

In the first few chapters of Judges, we see a trend develop. The Israelites turn away from God, live in disobedience and idolatry, and then become subject to oppression from their enemies. In despair, they cry out to the Lord for deliverance, and He, in endless mercy and unfailing love, has compassion for them. God would raise up a judge among the nations to bring about deliverance for the people (Judges 2:16-19). Continually throughout the book of Judges, this trend plays out. This continual ebb-and-flow points to our desperate need for an Eternal Judge, an Eternal King (Thank You Jesus).

The judges would function as leaders, teachers, prophets, and mediators for the people. They would decide civil disputes, make political and military decisions, and speak to the people as a voice of God. The judges reveal God’s desire to inhabit His people through the empowerment of His Spirit, expressly gifting (common) people for His glorious work.

We find Jael’s story in Judges chapter 4. Let us begin to walk through the chapter and see what we discover.

“Then the sons of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD, after Ehud died. (Judges 4:1 NASB).

Israel lived alongside pagan people; their fear and love of God diminished, allowing compromise and complacency to set in. They intermarried with the Canaanites and began serving their gods Baal and Asheroth, deliberately turning away from the One and Only True God.

“A dog returns to his own vomit, and a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire” (2 Peter 2:22b NKJV). The Apostle Peter speaks of those who have been given the gift of the Gospel, the knowledge of Jesus Christ the Messiah, yet choose to return to their sinful lifestyle, entangled once again in sin and its depravity. Just so, the Israelites return to their depravity, repeatedly.

I want to highlight a key point here. Spiritual compromise ultimately leads to death.

In my heart, I would like to think that this is solely ‘their’ story. But friend, I, too, have been that dog. Choosing the convenience of sin, complacency, and compromise, because I had yet to develop a personal relationship with God. Intellectually, I knew the truth, but had yet to experience living in the Truth.

BUT … Thanks be to God for His unfailing love and mercy! He takes us, filthy rags, and all. Nevertheless, He loves us too much to leave us in the depravity of sin and shame.

“The LORD’S acts of mercy indeed do not end, for His compassions do not fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”(Lamentations 3:22-23 NASB).

Let us pray together.

Heavenly Father, most Merciful and Loving God, we come before You with gratitude and wonder for the mercy and love that continuously pour forth from Your throne of grace. Holy Spirit, we ask that Your light illuminate our hearts completely. If there is any area of harbored sin or spiritual compromise, convict us toward repentance. Great is Your faithfulness, Oh God! Through the empowerment of Your Holy Spirit, help us to walk in obedience to Your Word. Thank You for loving us with an everlasting love. In Jesus’ name,

Amen

Join me tomorrow as we continue this study!