Deborah and Jael – 3 Lessons from Judges 4

The book of Judges is considered one of the historical books of the Bible. It covers the period of time between the death of Joshua and the establishment of the monarchy under King Saul, Israel’s first King.

The theme of Judges is when God’s people turned away from Him, they suffered greatly; when they repented and cried out to Him, He delivered them. Sadly, this happened over and over. In this, we see both God’s justice and His mercy. Israel repeatedly fails, yet God repeatedly rescues them.

This period covered the time frame of 300 to 350 years, 1380 BC to 1050 BC. Unfortunately, the author isn’t known but Jewish and Christian tradition suggest it may be attributed to Samuel.

Deborah held three offices in Israel at this time. She was judge, prophet, and military leader (warrior). We find her story, which involved Jael, in Judges 4. They lived approximately between 1200 and 1100 BC, before Israel had kings.

This post will cover the events that happened when Deborah judged Israel and God used both Deborah and Jael, wife of Heber the Kenite for His purposes. The Kenites descended from Hobab, the father-in-law of Moses. Heber separated from other Kenites and moved to the oak in Zaanannim, near Kedesh. Here are three lessons from the Scriptures surrounding these people.

LESSON 1

GOD USES ORDINARY PEOPLE TO ACCOMPLISH EXTRAORDINARY THINGS

God isn’t limited by our position, gender, status, age, or occupation. He only looks for those with a willing heart. Deborah and Jael, as we will see, both had a willing heart. The Scriptures specifically call Deborah a prophetess (Judges 4:4 ESV). She sat beneath a palm tree, received messages from God, and delivered them to the people of Israel. Just an ordinary woman whom God used for His purposes.

And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the LORD after Ehud died. And the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor. The commander of his army was Sisera, who lived in Harosheth-hagoyim,. Then the people of Israel cried out to the LORD for help, for he had 900 chariots of iron and he oppressed the people of Israel cruelly for twenty years (Judges 4:1-3 ESV).

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LESSON 2

FAITH ACTS DESPITE OVERWHELMING ODDS

She sent and summoned Barak the son of Abinoam from Kedesh-naphtali and said to him, “Has not the LORD, the God of Israel, commanded you, ‘Go gather your men at Mount Tabor, taking 10,000 from the people of Naphtali and the people of Zebulun. And I will draw out Sisera, the general of Jabin’s army, to meet you by the river Kishon with his chariots and his troops, and I will give him into your hand’?” (Judges 4:6-7 ESV).

Notice here that God doesn’t say, you will deliver the people. He specifically says “I will give him into your hand.” That alone should have been enough testimony to go into battle with courage.

Barak said to her (Deborah), “If you will go with me, I will go, but if you will not go with me, I will not go.” (Judges 4:8 ESV).  Deborah agrees to go but she tells him in verse 9, “The road on which you are going will not lead to your glory, for the LORD will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.”

Here Barak is, about to go into battle with only 10,000 men against 900 iron chariots. But with Deborah, a woman, by his side, he fears nothing. Why? Because he knows that she hears the voice of God, and He has promised to give the army into his hands. That is faith. Against those overwhelming odds. But God!

LESSON 3

VICTORY BELONGS TO GOD – THE BATTLE IS HIS

The LORD did exactly as He promised. All of Sisera’s men and all those chariots “fell by the edge of the sword: not a man was left. (vs. 16 ESV). But where was Sisera?

Lo, and behold, he got out of his chariot and took off on foot. Can you imagine? He’s just defeated city after city, killing all the people and taking all the spoils, and he thinks he’s going to do it again. But this time, the battle belonged to God. (Exodus 14:14 ESV) The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.

Sisera winds up at the tent of Jael. Now, he figured he’d be safe there, as men simply didn’t enter the tents of women, especially married women in those days. But Jael told Sisera not to fear. So he enters her tent. He then asks for water, but Jael gives him likely, warm milk, and she covers him.

Why warm milk? Jael knew it would make him sleep. Remember, he’d been running for quite a while, was hot and thirsty and likely about to collapse anyway. Thus, he slept.

That is when Jael went quietly to his side with a heavy tent peg and a hammer and drove it into Sisera’s temple, killing him and fulfilling what God had told Deborah in verse 9. Another ordinary woman used for God’s purposes.

Verses 23 and 24 tell us that God subdued Jabin and the people of Israel fought harder and harder against him until they destroyed Jabin king of Canaan.

 What battles are you facing today? As the modern worship song and Scripture both remind us, the battle belongs to God. Ask Him to go before you and prepare the way and to help you in all your battles. The God of Deborah and Jael, of Israel, is still our God today. Hand Him your battles and let Him fight for you. Do your part, pray, do what you can in your own power, but remember, God is God. He is able. Not even 900 chariots of iron can defeat the God who fights for His people.

Blessings, y’all.

 

One of my all-time favorite hymns. Powerful words!! They left out the verse that ends with “And He must win the battle.” The most important one for this post. Find it in your hymnal.

AFTERTHOUGHTS

Read chapter 5 of the book of Judges. It is called The Song of Deborah and Barak. My research tells me that many scholars believe this may be one of the oldest pieces of Hebrew poetry in the Bible. I particularly love verse 12 ESV: “Awake, awake, Deborah! Awake, awake, break out in song!

I’ve been singing to the LORD since I can remember. I first sang in church with my late Sister, Bobbie Foshee, when I was 3 and she was 10. She taught me the words and melodies and she sang alto to my soprano. I miss you and love you so much, Sissy!

When I went away to college, I majored in vocal performance. I’m classically trained in opera and oratorio, but my first love is Southern Gospel. I should use this Scripture as my life’s verse.