Those enemies who are relentless in pursuing the called of God will be temporarily or permanently taken care of by God. 3. I will make Sisera, his chariots, and his army come to the Kishon River. Instead she used things like the fact that he would trust a woman easily. Jael is perceptive enough to understand why this is happening: she equates the suffocating oppression her people are enduring due to Israel's lack of faith and worship. I could not believe that such violence was in the Bible. A woman who, without her remarkably courageous deed, the descendants of Israel would have been lost. She did not need to have her trust in God confirmed by the responses of others. Heber (whose name means ally,) contracts himself out to the Canaanite army led by General Sisera for weapon-making. As predicted when Baraks army battled against Siseras, they totally kicked butt- to the point that all the army of Sisera fell by the edge of the sword [and] not a man was left. That is why Sisera ran to Jaels tent, Jael saw him coming, so she went out to meet him and said, Sir, come into my tent. Sisera, the commander of the Canaanite army fled from the battle on foot. This is perhaps why he felt safe and comfortable in her camp. At that very moment Barak came by Jaels tent, looking for Sisera. Step 2 declare three integers x, y & z. Despite their resemblance to goats, and their name, they are actually not closely related to goats. Jael's business went well for six months. For Elijah on Mount Carmel it was the power of prayer. Yes, trouble might come from these people but if that is the case, they are only instruments in the hands of the enemy. No one would expect it, and no one would find him there. He was willing to give up his daughters than hand over his guests to the men of Sodom. And the hand of the children of Israel grew stronger and stronger against Jabin king of Canaan, until they had destroyed Jabin king of Canaan.. Required fields are marked *. After Ahab died, Jezebel lived for ten to twenty more years while their sons, Ahaziah and Jehoram, ruled consecutively. He asserted that we should not be content to see our sins simply fleeing from us; we should be ready to pursue them and then to drive them into the grounddeadwith a nail, the way Jael did. Deborah went on to tell Barak to gather his men for the battle, and Barak responded this way: If you will go with me, I will go, but if you will not go with me, I will not go. Judges 4:8, Photo Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain. Martin Luther was particularly fond of Judith and held her up as an example of virtue and godly living. The name Delilah in Hebrew means "weak; poor.". Blessed is she among women in tents. Place in Biblical Texts 5), putatively composed by her, is perhaps the oldest section of the . Moses lived among the Kenites in Midian until he was called by God to deliver the Israelites from Egypt. She brought him cream in a lordly dish. Jael was a Nomadic, tent dweller. And in many ways we can see, from the story of Samson, just how weak Delilah was in her relation to Samson. Shortly after Deborah and Baraks exchange, Baraks army met Siseras in the battle in which Sisera would be delivered into the hand of the Israelites. We do not know if Jael was concerned for her safety once Sisera awoke from his sleep, or if she was just doing the will of God with the action she took. This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain:Easton, Matthew George (1897). And her ambitions can make her ruthless, greedy, and insensitive. Jael, however, is interested in suing XYZ Burgers Refer to Fact Pattern 19-1. Blessed Among Women. Come in. She used the resources given to her in this situation by God. As the predicted battle between Canaan and Israel ensues, it is clearly evident that another David vs. Goliath scenario was playing out. At her feet he sank, he fell, he lay still; They did not know what to do. Sisera was very tired, so he was sleeping. Both sides in the conflict would have considered the Kenites a neutral party. Jael was a woman in the Bible who helped the Israelites subdue Jabin the Canaanite king by single-handedly killing the commander of his army, Sisera. Jael is best known for killing Sisera, the commander of the Canaanite army, in a bloody, gruesome manner. 5:2426) recounts: Extolled above women be Jael, http://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/jael-bible, Jael: Blessed Among Women Or Bible Bad Girl?, Heid, Bill, http://www.offthegridnews.com/2012/05/06/jael-blessed-among-women-or-bible-bad-girl/, Jael, C.E. As he drew near, Jael invited him to enter her tent. The Deceptions Of Jael. Jones' Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names translates this name with Ibex. There is no need to wait for someone else to fight your battles- Jael didnt. Judges 5:7 distinctly describes her leadership as of a maternal variety: she nourishes Israel; she does not try to adopt a man's hardness or masculinity. Then Jael, Hebers wife, took a tent peg and took a hammer in her hand, and went softly to him and drove the peg into his temple, and it went down into the ground; for he was fast asleep and weary. He had separated himself and his wife Jael from the other Kenites and pitched their tent in the plain of Zaanaim, which is near Kedesh in the tribal territory of Naphtali. Jael probably had her own tent separate from her husbands living quarters. This article is part of our People from the Bible Series featuring the most well-known historical names and figures from Scripture. And not just any milk. So what about you, lovely? We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. She was discerning in confronting David and kept him out of sin. Behold I will throw him down on the ground from the bed on which he sleeps; and if he does not feel it, I know that he has been handed over." Siseras murder was a major act of treachery on Jaels part. We would hope our calling would not be as dramatic as Jaels duty was. Easton's Bible Dictionary (New and reviseded.). This shows how desperate he was to not be found. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenantnot of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. Jael was married to a Kenanite named Heber, a man descended from Jethro (Moses' father-in-law of the Midianites). While the Bible doesnt expressly tell us about Jaels motives for killing Sisera, she must have had a motive that was more important to her than an earthly alliance, and that motive must have been honoring God. Satan (the Devil). The fact is that they will not let up until they have accomplished their goals. If I asked most people to think of a warrior woman mentioned in Judges 4 and 5, I am pretty sure that most minds would go straight to Deborah. Deborah is one of the major judges (charismatic military leaders, not juridical figures) in the story of how Israel takes the land of Canaan. 1. The truth is that Jael violated that trust and jeopardized the relationship that her husband had built. Asbury revival draws massive crowds, over 7 Bible Verses About The Lords Supper or What Does The Bible Say About Our Thoughts? During . [16] Biblical commentaries have viewed Jael as either a heroine or someone much less so. 1 March 2009. He insisted that Deborah, the prophetess and God-appointment judge in Israel, go with him. 5 Things You Should Know about the ESV Bible Translation. A Character Study. Eve and Adam, painting by Tamara de Lempicka, 1932. But Jael also knows that her faithful God will break the bonds of slavery as long as the Israelites humble themselves, and turn back to the One True God of their nation. It was divine intervention, then, that Jael was alone with General Sisera, and she seized upon it with the courage, wisdom, strength and vigilance as her predecessors. There is no way that she could win a physical fight with him. 1.5 Mary Turned to Jesus Right from the Beginning. Deborah and Jael: Bible Women, Women Warriors, http://www.womeninthebible.net/1.8.Deborah_Jael.htm, Deborah and Jael, Dr. Claude Mariottini, http://claudemariottini.com/2009/07/06/deborah-and-jael/ The country seems to be confused about censorship, free speech, and any An American in Amman: A U.S. We dont know if Jael originally intended to kill Sisera. She was the wife of Israelite King Ahab. Cultivate gratitude to God first and foremost. Despite this, once Jael saw that he was in a deep sleep, she took a tent peg and hammer, crept over to Sisera and drove the peg into his temple- so far that it went down into the ground. Since the tent she was staying in was a womans tent, there were no weapons nearby. Jael was no warrior. Jael showed Sisera great hospitality. Jael was a tent-dweller. She was the wife of a man named Lappidoth. She would have had no settled home, moving from place to place as a way of obtaining food, finding pasture for livestock, or otherwise making a living. And isnt our human experience filled with violence? Tearing a page from Ehuds handbook, she lulls Sisera into trust and complacency. As a Judge in Israel, it was her obligation to save the Israelites from their enemies and restore peace and prosperity to the land. Asiatic jackals are characterized by their ears, which are slightly smaller than African common jackals. The Song of Deborah recounts: According to tradition, both her and husband would have had separate tents, doubling her work, efforts and skill. Jael knew who the real enemy was in the fight and she also knew that battles can be very unpredictable. Sisera appears to have gone into Jaels tent, at her beckoning, instead of her husband Hebers tent. Instead, they are members of a different taxonomical genus than "true" goats. Shenk, http://www.biblestudytools.com/encyclopedias/isbe/jael.html, Jael Wife of Heber The Kenite: Midrash and Aggadah, Tamar Kadari, http://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/jael-wife-of-heber-kenite-midrash-and-aggadah. The Kenites were a Nomadic tribe of people who lived near Canaan. Jael is a Hebrew name, from Yal meaning "ibex" or "chimois" (which are species of wild mountain goats), from the root yal meaning "to profit, to ascend" (perhaps in reference to the goat's nimble ability to ascend mountains with ease). He made requests of his hostessbad manners for a guest. Sisera was pursued by the people of Israel at the request of Deborah the Judge. http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/9279-kenites, Jael: Bible, Jewish Womens Archive, Tikva Frymer-Kensky. She was judge of Israel at that time. So, what can we learn from this courageous womans story? They lived in tents and moved about in order to find work. But as Ive grown in my walk with Christ, Ive come to appreciate that the Bible is about seeing God in the realness of our human experiences. Do not be afraid.. While we are not sure about her faith, we are sure about her courage. He sees our potential in Him, which is why it is important that we dont disqualify ourselves from going towards the things that we know that He has called us be, do or have. A woman who, akin to the Virgin Mary, courageously helped save the Israelite nation despite the oppressive cultural norms for women, and chose Gods people over her own reputation. During Jaels adult life, the Israelites were being horrifically oppressed for over twenty years by the Canaanites King Jabin. The story of Jael in the Bible is short but it is power-packed with lessons about spiritual warfare. Because men were never allowed to enter a womens tent, no one would think to look for him there. Only an act of God would make this plan work. These nuts claim that God ", "Maybe what happened to you was simply something going on in your mind or heart ", "Medical science has progressed tremendously in the last 200 years. One day Deborah was sitting under the Palm Tree of Deborah, and the Israelites came up to her to ask what to do about Sisera. Jael would also be familiar with the legendary Ehud, a Benjamite who recently drove a knife into the heart of King Eglon of the Moabites during Israels last cycle of oppression. But he did not feel it, because he was very groggy. Incidentally, this historic ground was located in Nephtali a land set apart for fleeing inhabitants of the 12 tribes of Israel. She is confident. So when Sisera approached her tent, she knew exactly who he was and what she needed to do. They therefore cried out to the Lord who sent His answer via Deborah, a judge and prophetess. She took a leave of absence, and stayed with her parents for awhile, leaving the husband to travel hundreds of miles to fetch her back. Judges 4:21-22 tells us this: But Jael the wife of Heber took a tent peg, and took a hammer in her hand. The irony of this battle was Baal, the main god of the Canaanites was considered god of storms and weather. She covered him with a rug to hide and comfort him. She managed to lead the enemys iron-wheeled chariots onto the marshy land where they became bogged down, useless and helpless. Women, especially Jael, then had every reason to be terrified for fear of being raped at the hand of her guest. And Jael was living amongst the Canaanites, harboring a Canaanite general, knowing full well the evil he was capable of. When she didnt see anyone chasing after him, maybe that is when the decision was made. And just like the Virgin Mary, she became an unlikely heroine of a prophecy fulfilled. Remember the story of Lot and the angels? Soon Sisera would be awake again, and she took the opportunity to do what God was asking her to do. Some scholars insist that these nouns derive from a whole other but unused verb, namely one meaning to ascend. Who was Melchizedek and Why was He so Important?The Bible Story of Queen EstherThe Life of Ruth - 5 Essential Faith Lessons3 Things You Didnt Know About Mary (Mother of Jesus). Turn aside, my lord, she said to him. The example of Jael, however, show And eating and drinking are pretty small, insignificant things. Have you ever read any of Davids prayers? Jael lived in the days of the Judges. Jael is the heroine who kills Sisera after the battle of Jabin, king of Hazor, against Israel under Deborah and Barak (Judges 4:17). For more info, you can check out her blog here. [18] Jael, along with Ehud, is an example in Judges of the contrast between marginal heroes and well-armed enemies conquered by wit and stealth. The CEO brushed off Jael's concerns, stating that there was enough business for everyone. That means that if anything, Jael should have been an ally to Sisera. In that culture at that tine, when a guest visits your home, its your responsibility to protect them, even at the expense of your own life. Jael was the wife of Heber - "Now, Heber the Kenite, a descendant of Moses' brother-in-law, Hobab, had moved away from the other members of his tribe and pitched his tent by the oak of Zaanannim near Kedesh." (4:11) "Meanwhile, Sisera ran to the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, because Heber's family was on friendly terms . If you are in a spiritual battle, what do you already have that you can use? She realizes that her womanhood is actually a strength to be leveraged in her leadership, not a weakness to be discarded. I can laugh now, but at that time in my life I had only been burned by men. The NIV Study Bible 10th Anniversary Edition, Zondervan Publishing House, 1995. Last edited on 26 February 2023, at 10:00, "What are the most popular Jewish baby names in Israel? All the Women of the Bible Jael : https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/all-women-bible/Jael, Bible Study Monthly, http://www.biblefellowshipunion.co.uk/2006/Jul_Aug/JaelSisa.htm, Commentary On The Book of Judges 2., Dr. Peter Pett BA, BD (Hons-London) DD, The armies met on the plain of Esdraelon, where Sisera's iron-bound chariots became hampered by the mud caused by a downpour during the night that caused the Wadi Kishon to overflow its banks. The ancient laws of hospitality in the ancient Middle East were very strict. And Jael said, "Strengthen in me today, Lord, my arm on account of you and your people and those who hope in you." A woman who rose from obscurity to greatness, and becomes synonymous with the likes of other well-known tentdwellers: Sarah, Hagar, Leah and Rachel. Jael understandably feared for her body and her life. Jael was married to a Kenanite named Heber, a man descended from Jethro (Moses father-in-law of the Midianites). Living such a life required strong hands and a willingness to work hard. She was married to Heber, the Kenite. brave/fearless- Jael had to be brave to take in a man from the opposing nation and give her word to keep him safe, only to kill him! If she did not act, King Jabil and the Canaanites would continue their oppressive power over the Israelites. Charles Spurgeon once gave a sermon where he compared Sisera to sin. [9] The "Song of Deborah" (Judg. Top 7 Bible Verses For Those That Have Been Abused, "Sondergaard is a member of the New Apostolic Reformation cult. These things were made from metal. Just before he fell asleep, Sisera instructed Jael to stand at the door of the tent and lie to any man who appeared to be looking for him, to which she seemed to agree (Judges 4:20). That is why Sisera ran to Jaels tent (Judges 4:17) because he believed that he would be safe there. Jael could offer to help a fleeing enemy, as she did, but was not obligated to the ritual hospitality law. Quite the opportunist, Heber travels north from Judah to Canaan, taking Jael with him. Lets follow His (and Jaels) example and not get so caught up in following religious and cultural rules that we miss the calling of God to challenge the evil and oppression in the world. She brought out cream in a lordly bowl. Jael saw her opportunity to act and seized it. 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