That is why the Song of Deborah was written for On the day that the Israelites defeated Sisera, Deborah and Barak son of Abinoam sang this song (Judges 5:2-31) in tribute, first and foremost to God but Jael was hailed as a heroine and was part if this Song of Deborah and gave Jael a right and fitting place in the history of Israel. Jael went out to meet Barak and said, Come in here, and I will show you the man you are looking for. So Barak entered the tent with Jael. Deborah arose to become a mother in Israel. Jael shamed the enemy and helped deliver Gods people from their oppressors. Asiatic jackals are characterized by their ears, which are slightly smaller than African common jackals. However, Heber, along with his wife Jael, stayed in Canaan living north near Kedesh in the tribal territory of Naphtali. Blessed Among Women. We dont know if Jael originally intended to kill Sisera. 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. Jewish Women's Archive, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jael&oldid=1141698215, Bertie also mentions "Jael, wife of Heber" in. Just a few years earlier, a woman born in Bethlehem was married to a Levite, and the couple argued constantly. Jezebel Who was Jezebel? She quietly went to Sisera. 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. [citation needed]. Even when we dont feel skilled or equipped or prepared, He ensures that we are for the sake of His glory. Yes, trouble might come from these people but if that is the case, they are only instruments in the hands of the enemy. She manipulated the trust that Sisera had for her. 1. A woman who, without her remarkably courageous deed, the descendants of Israel would have been lost. In order to be considered LIVING an organism must meet all 8 of the following criteria: 1. Jaels actions did not make sense in the moment. Your imperfections and disadvantages do not disqualify you from doing something great for God. She was not about to play around with this evil man. Deborah prophesied that because of his weak faith, God would give victory through the hand of a woman. Judges 4:6 tells us that she summoned a man named Barak, who God chose to be the leader of Israels army against Jabins forces. That is why Sisera ran to Jaels tent (Judges 4:17) because he believed that he would be safe there. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. She is very ambitious. A Character Study. The Pharaohs Daughter Moses Adoptive Mother, https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/all-women-bible/Jael, http://www.biblefellowshipunion.co.uk/2006/Jul_Aug/JaelSisa.htm, http://www.angelfire.com/ok/bibleteaching/judges2.html, http://www.womeninthebible.net/1.8.Deborah_Jael.htm, http://claudemariottini.com/2009/07/06/deborah-and-jael/, http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/9279-kenites, http://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/jael-bible, http://www.offthegridnews.com/2012/05/06/jael-blessed-among-women-or-bible-bad-girl/, http://www.biblestudytools.com/encyclopedias/isbe/jael.html, http://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/jael-wife-of-heber-kenite-midrash-and-aggadah, http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/judaica/ejud_0002_0012_0_11033.html, http://www.shawnaatteberry.com/2008/12/11/436/. But she is mentioned in Judges 5 as well in the song of Deborah and Barak. Siseras character is seriously lacking as he willfully broke every rule that governed hospitality. Mountain Goat. 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. Jack is also the Senior Writer at What Christians Want To Know whose mission is to equip, encourage, and energize Christians and to address questions about the believers daily walk with God and the Bible. 1.2 Mary was Humble. And Sisera had no reason to be. Reference Library, Anchor Bible Publishers, 1998. Unfortunately, Heber falls into the same trap as did the nation of Israel, and enjoys the riches and spoils of the land, compromising his integrity and beliefs to do so. Jael is best known for killing Sisera, the commander of the Canaanite army, in a bloody, gruesome manner. Jael's actions are mentioned in the song. Not a man was left, except Sisera that is, who managed to dismount his horse and run away on foot to the tent of Jael (Judges 4:17). The Life of Ruth - 5 Essential Faith Lessons, 3 Things You Didnt Know About Mary (Mother of Jesus), 5 Powerful Lessons from the Unusual Story of Jael. And Ehud smotes him in the heart, leaving the dagger in his body with a treacherous slight of hand. The Song of Deborah recounts: Thus, Jael was very capable of holding a tent peg in one hand and utilize the use of a hammer, or maul, in the other. The railways and other public transportation systems, such as their trains and buses, for instance, are orderly and also extremely efficient and punctual. 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. If she did not act, Deborahs prophecy from God would not have been fulfilled. Zondervan Publishers, 1967. And not just any milk. I also want you to recognise that you are capable of bringing the word that God has given you to pass. She was married to Heber, the Kenite. For Moses, it was the staff in his hand. 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. He literally chooses: In other words, God chooses imperfect people to be conduits of His will so that He can extend His grace to them and display His glory through them (2nd Corinthians 12:9-10). 1 Corinthians 10:31 tells us, Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.. Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! But he went to Jaels tent instead. Only an act of God would make this plan work. Heber made weapons. 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. Instead she used things like the fact that he would trust a woman easily. God tends to bypass the people that man would think are the most qualified to manifest His word in favour of those that man would overlook. http://www.angelfire.com/ok/bibleteaching/judges2.html Extolled above women in the tent. David thanked her for this and repented of his desire to seek revenge. Sisera died (Judges 4:21). Jael was vigilant Jael was the typical woman taking care of the daily affairs of her home. Jewish Virtual Library, http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/judaica/ejud_0002_0012_0_11033.html God is the the most powerful force in the universe, more powerful than Evil. She drove a tent peg through his temple. And when it comes to slaying spiritual dragons, this is the kind of courage that God wants us to have. When Sisera got to her tent she invited him in and he entered without fear because there was peace between Jabinand the house of Heber. 1 Characteristics of Mary, Mother of Jesus. (The Palm Tree of Deborah is between the cities of Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ep, to Barak, The Lord, the God of Israel, commands you: Go and gather 10,000 men from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun. Situations are ever-changing in this life and opportunities pass by quickly. His family was at peace with King Jabin of Hazor. What character qualities, positive or negative, do we see demonstrated in Jael's life? She had to ignore all the fear, all the what-ifs.. midrash praises Yael, wife of Heber the Kenite, and includes her among the devout women converts, together with Hagar, Asenath, Zipporah, Shiphrah, Puah, the daughter of Pharaoh, Rahab, and Ruth (Yalkut Shimoni on Joshua, para . She was sympathetic and understanding even when the situation around her was difficult. They lived in tents and moved about in order to find work. So when Sisera approached her tent, she knew exactly who he was and what she needed to do. Ch.1.4: CHARACTERISTICS OF LIFE. Adam is Adham, meaning 'dust of the earth'. She understood that God alone is able to do what he says he will do. The war wasnt won by this one deed, but this was the beginning of the end of the Canaanites reign over Israel. When the Holy Spirit prompts us to act, we usually dont have long to think. He was willing to give up his daughters than hand over his guests to the men of Sodom. They were responsible for Israels great victory over the Canaanites but ultimately, it was because of God (Judges 4:14-16). 1.1 Mary, the Mother of Jesus, was Willing. Abagail was kind and intelligent. She is materialistic and she loves power. Jael could have easily been included in Hebrews chapter eleven, the so-called Hall of Faith because she was a heroine who snatched victory out of the jaws of defeat in helping Israel defeat a much larger, more experienced, and far superior Canaanite army during the time called the time of the Judges.. They did not know what to do. Jael or Yael (Hebrew: Yl) is a heroine in the Hebrew Bible's Book of Judges who delivers Israel from the army of King Jabin of Canaan. He was such a coward. In an astounding turn of events, the Shunammite woman gave birth to a child as promised, but, several years later, he died. (Judges 5:24-27) Sisera was the commander of the Canaanite forces and so Barak and his men attacked Sisera. Bible References. But, any job God gives us to do He will pour out the courage and ability to do it. Jael was a woman who understood this. Finally, Jaels husband very likely had a good relationship with Sisera. May their lives and walks with God strengthen your faith and encourage your soul. Is It Ok for Christians to Follow Zodiac Signs? And in many ways we can see, from the story of Samson, just how weak Delilah was in her relation to Samson. This event in Jaels life reveals a series of lessons, the first of which is that God will always fulfil His word. Once separated from its original theological context, the Jael and Sisera tradition transforms into a story about gender identity and conflict between the sexes. Second, Sisera went to the tent of a woman. They were well-educated, wealthy, wives, mothers, and judging from the number of solo female portraits single women or widows. In any case, it would still be disastrous for Jaels reputation for Sisera to be alone with her. One point to notice is that Sisera went into Jaels tent, not the tent of her husband. God Redeems the Lost. One day, I was sobbing and crying out to God that I wouldnt have a boy. And her expression is placid - almost sweet - as she methodically sets about her task. Others see her as a model of courage and power, a woman who risked her life to do the will of God, who shattered role expectations, and invites all of us to greater freedom. This ordinary woman does something extra-ordinary, and shows herself to be a willing, and committed, chosen instrument for God. (The Palm Tree of Deborah is between the cities of Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim (Judges 4:4-5) and Deborah sent a message to Barak, The Lord, the God of Israel, commands you: Go and gather 10,000 men from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun. Jael features in the book of Judges as a heroic woman who killed Sisera, the leader of King Jabin's Canaanite army. When the Jews ate at King Achashverosh's (non-kosher) party, they brought death upon themselves. And isnt our human experience filled with violence? Not only that, she likely had extensive experience putting up tents with tent pegs and so she was skilled with this tool. Deborah, also spelled Debbora, prophet and heroine in the Old Testament (Judg. Obedient: one of the main characteristics of Esther in the Bible is her biddability. The tent peg went through the side of his head and into the ground. Your email address will not be published. We'll get deeper into three of her weaknesses, and how they apply to us in our modern, 21st century lives as Christians. Jael, however, offered refuge to a fleeing enemy general, NOT ritual hospitality. She also knew that Sisera would be killed if captured; therefore, she would kill him and thus cement a friendship with the victor. If anyone comes by and asks you, Is anyone in there? say, No (Judges 4:20) But Jael found a tent peg and a hammer. The earliest known depiction of biblical heroines Jael and Deborah was discovered at an ancient synagogue in Israel, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill announced last week. According to tradition, both her and husband would have had separate tents, doubling her work, efforts and skill. 1.6 Mary's Faith Held Strong. This is perhaps why he felt safe and comfortable in her camp. Faith, not fear, wins. Pseudo-Philo refers to Jael in the book, Liber Antiquitatum Biblicarum: Now Jael took a stake in her left hand and approached him, saying, "If God will work this sign with me, I know that Sisera will fall into my hands. 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). Therefore, Jael had some family ties to Israel. Grow, develop and die 5. The fact is that they will not let up until they have accomplished their goals. Then, however, another XYZ Burgers franchise opened just down the street from Jael's restaurant. At her feet he sank, he fell, he lay still; If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Siseras murder was a major act of treachery on Jaels part. The husband of Jael is Heber the Kenite. Jones' Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names translates this name with Ibex. Jael used the trust that Sisera had for her. She will be blessed above all women, On the day that the Israelites defeated Sisera, Deborah and Barak son of Abinoam sang this song, Careers Workplace and Religion Columnists, Recreation Outdoors and Religion Columnists, Religious Music and Entertainment Columnists, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. If she did not act, she probably would have been raped by a vicious Canaanite man. These things were made from metal. Jael would have been remarkably adept with a tent pin and hammer, knowing how to grind a stake into the desert ground. Andy Botwin (Justin Kirk) goes to a Rabbinical school to dodge military service where he meets Yael Hoffman. The Bible records a number of cases of intermarriage; the father-in-law of Moses was apparently a Kenite, but it is not clear whether this was Jethro. Jael was a tent-dweller. When Sisera got to her tent she invited him in and he entered without fear because " there was peace between Jabinand the house of Heber ". Deborah started the battle to defeat the enemy of Israel and Jael finished it. Conclusion Jael (whose tent would have been separate from Heber's) [8] welcomed Sisera into her tent and covered him with a blanket. Together, Heber and Jael live under the rich umbrella of safety and wealth afforded under a ratified peace treaty between themselves and General Sisera. The old man, as was customary, offered up his own daughter instead so that he would not be guilty of offending his temporary guests. Because God has a million ways to solve one problem. Something to consider:The devil whispered in my ear, Youre not strong enough to withstand the storm. Today I whispered in the devils ear, I am the storm.. She feeds him some milk and hides him under a rug. He asked for water, she gave milk; After Barak demurs at the behest of the prophetess Deborah, God turns Sisera over to Jael, killing him by driving a tent peg through his skull after he enters her tent near the great tree in Zaanannim near Kedesh. Barak demurred, saying he would go, provided she would also. In the Hebrew Bible, Judges 4-5 tells the lurid story of the heroic figure of Jael, the formidable woman who saves Israel from the Canaanite army by seducing their general, Sisera, and then nailing his head to the ground with a tent-peg. ( Judges 4:9) For her role, Jael was praised as the "most blessed of women." Judges 5:24. We have compiled these articles to help you study those whom God chose to set before us as examples in His Word. If she did not act, women would continue to be raped and tortured by their guests. If she did not act, she would miss the only chance of aligning herself with the Israelite conquerors. It could just mean that their lives will take turns they didnt see coming. "[14][15] According to Herbert Lockyer she may have acted out of practical necessity. Jael, said Graybill, is a "highly unusual biblical heroine." The text identifies her as a "wife," but she has no husband. In God's good design, men are rulers and fighters; they bear the responsibility of providing . Everything we do should be for the sake of honoring and bringing glory to God. The only one who can help us do that is Jesus. In spiritual warfare, you have to know who the enemy is. and is the daughter of Amram and Jochebed, and the sister of Moses and Aaron. (Judges 3:12-25). God has a million ways to solve one problem Yael Hoffman as she sets. Than evil in Jaels life reveals a series of lessons, the commander of the Canaanite forces so! He would go, provided she would miss the only chance of aligning herself with Israelite! And helped deliver Gods people from their oppressors their goals down the street Jael. 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