I was about to come out of my seat when I heard them talk in agreement about it and that they were both doing it and had been doing it for years. This article is the second in a seriesexamining what Christians have been taught about women in Scripture. When he reached Hebers tent, he took advantage of the peace that existed between Jabin and the Kenites and asked for the hospitality and protection to which he was entitled under the conditions of their relationship. Then she calmly took one of her tent pegs and with one blow hammered it through the side of his head. Beautiful Truth (Good Book Company, 2018). Rahab The Righteousand part 3,The Unnamed Woman With the Alabaster Jar. Just before the battle, a flash flood swelled the nearby Wadi Kishon and turned the battleground into deep mud, giving the Israelite foot soldiers the advantage over the Canaanite chariots. Deborah is variously described by the text as a prophet, a mother in Israel, and either the "wife of Lappidoth" or a "woman of fiery torches" (read "spirited woman"), depending on . Do not worry about understanding every line. So whether its by means of tent pegs through the head of an oppressor or nails through the hands of his son, we see yet again that we serve a God who never ceases to defeat his enemies so that his people, just like the sun, may rise in his might (Judg. The two heroines in this story are Deborah and Jael. Sisera likely thought himself safe in the tent of Jael, possibly because of her husbands position or because she offered him an aphrodisiac. She could be compared to a modern professional woman: one that cares for her family, home, is in church leadership, and works outside the home. The Huqoq Excavation Project is now in its 10th season . Deborah and Jael: A Contrast of Success - Experience His Freedom amzn_assoc_asins = "1629986062,1621365875,1629989479,1629994634"; Why must we present characters in this account as comparisons instead of compliments? Deborah, the mother of Israel, and Jael, most blessed of tent-dwelling women. She used to sit under the palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim; and the Israelites came up to her for judgment. (Read Judges 4:1-5, 5:1-11). Jael kills him by driving a tent peg through his head and into the ground. Ask them to pray with you about it. God sent a rainstorm that made the Canaanite chariots sitting ducks for the Israelite slingmen and Deborah was hailed as a national heroine. She is also accused of violating the peace treaty that existed between the Kenites and the king of Hazor. Deborah, was a prophetess, a woman called by God to urge Israel to fight for its liberation. She led him into her tent, then showed him where the body of the dead warrior lay dead. She had the charisma needed to convince people they could take extraordinary risks and succeed. While today we may no longer have reason to fear 900 chariots of iron, we still face the enemies of sin, death, and the devil just as Deborah, Barak, and Jael did. Once inside, he asked for water to drink. Deborah agreed to go with him but informed Barak that his military prowess would not deliver the ultimate victorySisera would be delivered into the hands of a woman. Congresswoman Deborah Ross discusses some of the under-reported That sentence needs to stand alone, because it seems were unable to take the Bible at its word on Deborahs position as judge. Still, Gods Word through Deborah was not only that he would win, but that he had already defeated this seemingly invincible enemy, for God had gone out before Barak (Judg. What an interesting message in the middle of this ancient text. They heard a message from God in some way and passed it on. Gideon agreed to the making of a pagan cult object that the Bible calls an ephod, but which is clearly different from the breastplate (also called an ephod) worn by priests later in Israels history, and seems to have been used for seeking oracles (Judges 8:22-28), etc. She was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship for the 20022003 academic year and served in the Faculty of Theology at North-West University in Potchefstroom, South Africa; she retains her North-West research affiliation. The Canaanites had the technology to build this sort of military equipment; the Israelites did not. In the present post I will address Jaels role in Siseras death. Sharing question: What applications for your own life do you see in the answer to the previous question? What does this reveal about her? He did not wish to enter into a battle he could not win. 1517 creates and distributes theological and apologetic resources anchored in the central message of the Bible: that Christ died for sinners and rose for their justification. These words intimate Jael was doing the work of God in bringing judgment upon the Canaanites (Judges 4:23). I would love to hear from you! Nimrud, Woman at the Window, ivory carving from the north-west palace of Ashurnasirpal II at Nimrud. In 4:6-7 and again in 4:14, what did Deborah do? Sadly, I have to agree. She lives in Pasadena, Texas. They think they are doing the right things to earn their way to heaven. Jael Although Barak won the battle with Sisera, as Deborah had prophesised, he did not kill Sisera (Judges 4:9-10). The mosaic is divided into three sections, one with Deborah seated under a palm tree looking at Barak, a second with what appears to be Sisera seated and a third with Jael hammering a peg into a bleeding Sisera. . She is serving at Mid America Christian University as an adjunct instructor and at Parkgate Community Church as a learning hour teacher for 3rd-5th grade students, a prayer partner, and a member of the missions team. Women in the Bible (Not Named Ruth or Esther), Old Testament: Zechariah 9:91-12 (Pentecost 6: Series A), Old Testament: Jeremiah28:5-9 (Pentecost 5: Series A), Old Testament: Jeremiah 20:7-13 (Pentecost 4: Series A). She represented God's presence with the army and the assurance that God would fight for Israel. I do not remember being taught about Jael as a child in Sunday School. Nothing related to archeology is included in the article. Deborah the Over Achiever. Seeing that the battle goes against the Canaanites, Sisera flees on foot. The story of Deborah occurred in approximately 1125BC, when Deborah was a judge of Israel. Deborah's story begins in Judges 4 which indicates that Israel had once again done evil in the sight of the Lord and was now under the control of Jabin, the king of Canaan. Not . Siseras action was a violation of Hebers family and dishonored Jael by entering her tent. Her leadership style favors a team approach; she willingly recognizes those who joined and served.12 She not only praises others but also thereby encourages them to ongoing service and development as leaders.13. 1516. From this, we might speculate that she intentionally put him at ease. When Deborah commanded Barak to fight against Sisera, commander of Jabins army, Barak was reluctant to go to battle without Deborahs presence. 3 Jael met Sisera and killed him Living where she did, Jael recognized the persecution of the Israelites by the Canaanites. As usual, it's our God. Yes! 23. She used to sit under the palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim; and the Israelites came up to her for judgment. And certainly, the task at hand was intimidating. Deborah: The Woman God Uses | Bible.org She was the one to lead her people to battle and to bring them out of it victorious. There was a tremendous downpour and the 900 chariots, meant for quick maneuvering on firm ground, became bogged in the mud. The army of Israel prevailed and Jabin was destroyed. As the reader knows, he will never return. In the narrative about the military heroine Deborah, Yael kills Sisera, the Canaanite general of King Jabin, after he escapes from the battle with Deborah's general, Barak. She is the last person we would expect to take out Sisera. The men include: In addition to Deborah, the women include: Those mentioned only incidentally include: Deborahs tenure starts with the Lords judgment against Israel. Its just energy between the furniture that does it. There was a bit of tension building between us, as the conversation turned to the person of Jesus, the core of the Christian faith. Much earlier, Joseph called himself a father to Pharaoh (Genesis 45:8). Israelites came from all over the country so she could rule on their cases. 22. Oracles were common in the ancient world. Because he was invited to enter her tent, Sisera accepted Jaels invitation. And her right hand to the workers mallet; Who was Jael in the Bible? - CompellingTruth.org Volume XI (New York: KTAV Publishing House), pp. Robin Gallaher Branch, Deborah, in Catherine Clark Kroeger and Mary J. Evans, eds., The IVP Womens Bible Commentary (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2002), pp. It was a common image of the goddess in Canaanite religion. Sisera told Jael: Stand at the entrance to the tent. Not only was she a wife (worked at home), but she was a prophetess (served in church ministry) , and a judge (she worked outside the home). amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; In Judges 4, and in Deborahs long song of praise to God in chapter 5, we do not find any detail description of Jael. Or are you the one reluctant to obey? The death of Sisera by the hands of Jael fulfilled the prophecy of Deborah, that God would deliver Sisera into the hand of a woman (Judges 4:9). It may be a singular act like Jael or it may be a lifetime ministry like Deborahs. A rendering of one figure driving a stake through the head of a military general was the initial clue that led the team to identify the figures, according to project director Jodi Magness. When Sisera heard that Barak was leading the Israelites against him, he called together 900 iron chariots and all of the people with him to crush the 10,000 Israelites. A smart and hard working woman that despite of all her success, was loyal in serving the Lord, and gave credit to God for her successes. Perhaps Jael offered him a blanket and he allowed the fatigue of battle to sweep over him. Deborah was judging, Jael was caring for her household. On the other hand, we find in this story simple Jael. 5:31). It also means spirited or fiery woman. The chapters present the possibility of three war zones: the initial battleground of Mount Tabor and the Jezreel Valley (4:12); Tanaach (5:19); and the gates of Hazor and other Canaanite cities. The Bible records no dissent or rebellion against her. Now threatened with the might of King Jabins army, the Israelites turned to Deborah. Not much is said about her, only that she was a simple tent-dweller that used what she had to bring a big success to the victory of the Israelites. Deborah And Jael: Women in Scripture Series 516534 (2011). in times of war acted as a rallying point to gather the tribes and organize resistance. 331332. 19. Key Scripture Judges 5:6-7, 12 (NIV): Thanks for sharing Stopping by from #SaltandLightLinkUp. Indeed, the stars in heaven fought against the doomed Sisera and the Canaanites (5:20). Jael Killing Siseraby Palma il Giovane (15481628)Wikimedia Commons. Her campsite must have been close to the battlefield because her family was making and supplying weapons for the army. Deborah, Barak, and Jael. Deborah is the only woman judge mentioned in the Book of Judges. (Judges 4:17-24, 5:24-27.). The Canaanites were defeated by Barak, Deborah, and the Israelite army. They traveled whenever they could find work. Each one of them are the women whose shoulders we stand upon, making way for the next generation of women pastors coming up behind us. What Jael, Deborah, and Barak accomplished was part of the righteous acts of the LORD (Judges 5:11). Exhausted, he arrives at Jaels tent. Women can do great things together when we support each other. Although some commentators believe that the woman mentioned in v. 9 is a reference to Deborah, it is probable that Deborahs words anticipated Siseras defeat by the hands of Jael. Susan Haddox, Gendering Violence and Violating Gender in Judges 45, Conversations with the Biblical World 33, pp. At that time, Deborah was the ruling judge in Israel. We can do all things through Christ, who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13). She took the wooden hammer used to put up her tent and one of the pegs that held the tent ropes, then with one expert blow she drove the peg deep into the side of Siseras head. Dig into the illuminating world of the Bible with a BAS All-Access membership. Although the Canaanites didnt know it, this was a Holy War.7. Congresswoman Ross Statement on House Passage of Bipartisan Budget She is one that could be easily envied for all her achievement. Never was Judaism monolithic, said Magness. After the struggle between the Canaanites and the Israelites, Sisera was defeated by Barak. Sisera fled the battle and went to the house of Jael; the wife of Heber the Kenite since there was peace between Jabin and the house of Heber. 2:14) before selling his enemies back to his people through a woman who probably was not even a part of his people (Judg. Judith, heroine of the Apocryphal Book of Judith. Herzberg notes the prophetic gifting of both Moses and Deborah and the similarities of the crossing of the Sea of Reeds and Deborahs War; consequently he argues Deborah was seen as the Moses of her time (2015, p. 33). She summoned Barak, an able military leader and spoke very direct words to him. Your email address will not be published. Similar designations go to Mary, the mother of Jesus (Luke 2:2628, 42), and to Judith, heroine of the Apocryphal Book of Judith who beheaded Holofernes, an Assyrian, general and saved her people (Judith 13:2325). Hittite Museum, Ankara. And the Lord threw Sisera and all his chariots and all his army into a panic before Barak. Read Judges 4:12-16 and 5:19-23. 1 Chronicles 2:55). He was exhausted and desperate for a refuge. T he earliest known depictions of the biblical heroines Deborah and Jael have been uncovered during excavations of the ancient site Huqoq (just northwest of the Sea of Galilee). Wesleyan Holiness has a rich and diverse history of women empowered by the Holy Spirit following God in obedience to Him, blocking out the voices of those who didn't embrace or encourage women preachers. Deborah And Jael: Resourceful Women Related Media Time: the Judges ~1400-1000 B.C. The idea that Sisera was standing is taken as a poetic expression to convey the idea that he fell dead. Mark J. Boda, Judges, in Tremper Longman III and David E. Garland, eds., The Expositors Bible Commentary. Confident that he was in the hands of someone seeking his safety and possibly more, he drifted to sleep. What one gets is unique in the Bible. But despite her husbands treaty with the Canaanite king, Jael acted according to her own convictions. Her words and her actions were direct and brave. Nevertheless Heber, a sensible business-man if ever there was one, was on good terms with the Canaanites, so Sisera saw the encampment of Jael and Heber as a refuge. Enjoyed this article? Share it and forward it to a friend: Engaging, Empowering, and Equipping women to lead, https://www.bible.com/bible/110/JDG.4.NIRV, https://www.christianity.com/wiki/people/who-was-deborah-in-the-bible.html, https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/all-women-bible/Jael, https://www.amazon.com/Holy-Boldness-Women-Preachers-Autobiographies/dp/1572333103, Who was Deborah in the Bible retrieved from (, Jael (All the Women in the Bible series) retrieved from (, Holy Boldness Description from Amazon website retrieved from. Deborah is bee in Hebrew. One expects more of the same kind of story found elsewhere in Judges. We are told that Deborah summoned Barak to her palm tree to remind him of a calling and a promise he had already received to defeat the Canaanites: Has not the Lord, the God of Israel commanded you (Judg. The neighboring peoples often took advantage of this fact, making trouble now for one tribe, now for another. The wonderfully freeing truth we have in the Beatitudes is that they are not a checklist of to-dos and rules to hem us in, keep us in line, or that we must check off. She brings him milk, covers him with a rug, and while he sleeps, hammers a tent peg through his head (4:1721)! Judges 4:4-9, 15-22. Hi, Im Maritza! Deborah and Jael were badass women from the distant past. Click here to join the mailing list, and download your Biblical Women of Influence Ebook, CLICK HERETO JOIN THE MAILING LIST, AND DOWNLOAD YOUR BIBLICAL WOMEN OF INFLUENCE EBOOK. I think you should go and debate the author. She was a leader of the entire Israelite nation. Instead, he made peace with God's enemies. The judgeship of Deborah started with the Israelites sin but its legacy, in time, included Gods good work of redemption in the lives of the descendants of Israels enemy. Deborah is introduced as a prophetess, but a prophet was not someone who foretold the future. The Huqoq Excavation Project, sponsored by UNC-Chapel Hill, Austin College, Baylor University, Brigham Young University, and the University of Toronto, paused in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic and is scheduled to resume next summer. Lets not wait to be someone better suitable for the job. Deborahs War effectively took the Canaanites off the world stage. What the fighting was about: rich farming land of the Plain of Esdraelon and Jezreel. He works through brave women and cowardly men, through quiet housewives and sudden rainstorms. What seems to be the main point of the 1st stanza (5:2-5)? Lets be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all our heart and consider the great things he has done for us (1 Samuel 12:24). She put her hand to the tent peg Jael offered help to a fleeing enemy general, but not ritual hospitality. Your daily news briefing from the editors of CT: Let There Be Lite: Offline Bible App Launches in Africa, Asia, Train Up a Child: Ukraines Christian Schools Model Wartime Education, Generations After Slavery, Georgia Neighbors Find Freedom and Repair in Christ, Biden Administration Drops HHS Transgender Mandate. What do you learn for your own life from Deborahs example? And since Sisera was the commander of the Canaanite army and since he sought the protection of a woman in a womans tent, it is clear that the writer is making an effort to womanize Sisera. Thank you for your comment. Learn how your comment data is processed. Whatever her reasons, the Israelites celebrated her as a national heroine, who together with Deborah had saved them from their mortal enemies. amzn_assoc_search_bar = "true"; Barak was a general in the Hebrew army, and notably, Deborahs subordinate. Jaels also have a big influence because they can serve the Lord greatly in their homes. Source: Wikimedia Commons. Two deeply opposite women who brought glory to God with success where they were, being who God intended them to be at the right place and at the right moment! Emeritus Professor of Old Testament Most blessed of women be Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, most blessed of tent-dwelling women (Judges 5:24). Deborah, the only female judge in the Bible, excelled in multiple areas. Confined to the unproductive hilltops and denied commercial access on the highways, the Israelites suffer economic hardship under the Canaanites (5:6). Your email address will not be published. Confronted with Siseras request for asylum and her pro-Israelite sentiments, Jael made a political decision to take the side of Israel in this conflict. Deborah: Embracing God's Call - Faithward.org The book of Judges tells us of the way in which, together, they conquered the evil and powerful Canaanite general, Sisera, after he oppressed the people of Israel for twenty, long years. People today tend to judge actions in the distant past by the standards of our own contemporary understandings. Sisera ran to Hebers camp because he clearly believed that a friend of his ally, Jabin, would protect him. Siseras mother waited and waited for her son to return. As God guided Deborah, Jael, and so many others He will guide us and give us holy boldness when we listen, hear, and obey. The agreement protects President Biden and Congressional Democrats' key accomplishments from the past two years including the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act, the PACT Act, and the . The whole reason "woman" and "wife" weren't separate words . After this Deborah continued to rule Israel for forty years and there was peace in the land. The wife of Heber the Kenite, Their testimonies are written to give us examples of how much worth women have in serving the Lord. Your email address will not be published. Heavy-wheeled chariots shown on the Standard of Ur, circa 2,500 BC. In Hebrew the same word is used for "woman" and "wife," so we don't know for certain if Deborah was a "woman of Lappidoth" (a place) or "wife of Lappidoth" (a person) (4:4). In the Old Testament's Book of Judges, two womenDeborah and Jaelhelp defeat the Canaanite general Sisera. Sisera, on the other hand, assembled a terrifying force. We could imagine though, that as any good ordinary tent-dwelling woman of her time, she kept up well with her house-wife requirements. Where has God placed you as a leaderin your home, at your work, in His church? Today, Congresswoman Deborah Ross (NC-02) released the following statement on House passage of the Bipartisan Budget Agreement: . Jaels action is celebrated as an act of God because Jael defeated the oppressor of Gods people. Medieval carving of Jael killing Sisera. Excavations reveal first known depictions of two biblical heroines amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; Turn aside to me. Christians who struggle to believe that God would intentionally appoint a woman to lead often argue that Deborah was chosen because no man stepped up to fill the role of judge. Sometimes we see those successful women, that seem to have it all worked out and with their talents they bring success when they work in church ministry. Sisera, the enemy general, fled from the battlefield towards the encampment of a woman calledJael the Kenite. The commander of his army was Sisera, and he was stationed in Harosheth-ha-goiim. Barak had citizen militia from most of the twelve tribes of Israel, though some of the tribes ignored the situation and stayed at home to their eternal disgrace. Was Mary Magdalene a Prostitute? I realized that day what it meant to be blinded to the truth of the gospel. She was a prophetess, receiving direct words of revelation from God. A mighty warrior, judge, prophetess, and minstrel. The name ridicules the man. Kay spent t More, For Such a Time as This: Women of the Bible Who Made an Impact. He fled on foot, leaving his troops to fend for themselves. In an upcoming post, I will address the role of Siseras mother in the Song of Deborah (Judges 5:28-30). Sisera told Jael to guard the door of her tent and hide him from anyone who came looking. Deborah is a judge. Susan Ackerman, Warrior, Dancer, Seductress, Queen: Women in Judges and Biblical Israel. Of tent-dwelling women most blessed., Metal weapons like those used at the time of Deborah and Jael. People believed they had special wisdom given by God. Another huge stretch and rewriting of history, ignoring volumes of contextual information, cultural norms of the time, and cross references within the Holy Scriptures Canon. 4:9). Minneapolis, MN 55404, BookstoreEgalitarian DirectoryPlanned GivingScholarships for WomenLeadershipFinancialsPrivacy Policy, 2023 CBE International. Yes, the Israelites moved to the fertile valleys and vended their wares on recognized thoroughfares (5:7). Diamonds in the Word: Look up more verses that focus on Gods faithfulness. Discoveries made this year include the first known depiction of the biblical heroines Deborah and Jael as described in the book of Judges. Sometimes they are military leaders, sometimes leaders in government, sometimes cult figures. Deborah, the only female judge in the Bible, excelled in multiple areas.1 Clearly one of the Bibles most outstanding figures, she served ancient Israel as a prophet,2 judge, military leader, songwriter, and minstrel (Judges 45).

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