She was sympathetic and understanding even when the situation around her was difficult. She set them back up at the end of the days journey. She is materialistic and she loves power. 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. Chapter 14--Jael Her Name Means "A Wild or Mountain Goat" Her Character: Decisive and courageous, she seized the opportunity to slay an enemy of God's people. With the finger of God directing judgment on the oppressors, hail, sleet and hurricane-force winds were driven into the faces of the Canaanite army, blinding their vision and mucking the grounds into which the chariots iron wheels get buried. They are shaggy animals, with white coats and moderately long horns. That means that if anything, Jael should have been an ally to Sisera. The Kenites may have been a part of the Midianite group. It is believed they served customers wherever they traveled in the way of metalworkers. Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Heber and his household were at peace with Jabin, the king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor. but not ", Who Was Jael In The Bible? The Archaeological Study Bible, NIV version, Zondervan Publishers, 2005. She also knew that Sisera would be killed if captured; therefore, she would kill him and thus cement a friendship with the victor. But, any job God gives us to do He will pour out the courage and ability to do it. And eating and drinking are pretty small, insignificant things. When she didnt see anyone chasing after him, maybe that is when the decision was made. 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. When Sisera showed up, this should have been the case. Thus, after his defeat by the Israelite forces, Sisera fled to the tents of Heber. You can follow Jack on Google Plus or check out his book Blind Chance or Intelligent Design available on Amazon. She was judge of Israel at that time. Jael is perceptive enough to understand why this is happening: she equates the suffocating oppression her people are enduring due to Israels lack of faith and worship. Jewish Women's Archive, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jael&oldid=1141698215, Bertie also mentions "Jael, wife of Heber" in. There Barak found Sisera lying dead on the ground, with the tent peg through the side of his head (Judges 4:22). One point to notice is that Sisera went into Jaels tent, not the tent of her husband. Because God has a million ways to solve one problem. Yet, God used this to accomplish the purpose of delivering Israel from the evil grip of the Canaanites. She, very quickly, formed a plan and used what was available, what she had at hand. Be patient, and wait for the opportune time when God will use you, while staying faithful and steadfast to His laws and commands. Incidentally, this historic ground was located in Nephtali a land set apart for fleeing inhabitants of the 12 tribes of Israel. She quietly went to Sisera. Curiously, nouns (ya'al) and (ya'ala) describe the male and female mountain goat respectively. Top 7 Bible Verses For Those That Have Been Abused, "Sondergaard is a member of the New Apostolic Reformation cult. They were familiar to the Israelites through the connection of Jethro to Moses, and their skill as metalworkers was welcomed wherever they camped. They were responsible for Israels great victory over the Canaanites but ultimately, it was because of God (Judges 4:14-16). It was full fat milk in a large bowl. Dont be afraid. So Sisera went into Jaels tent, and she covered him with a blanket, Sisera said to Jael, Go stand at the entrance to the tent. Lead them to Mount Tabor. She was discerning in confronting David and kept him out of sin. Sisera was the commander of the Canaanite forces and so Barak and his men attacked Sisera. Characteristics Of Esther In The Bible . Jael specifically pitched their tents under a sacred oak tree in Zaananim, paying homage to her priestly Israeli ancestors, and thus consecrated it as holy ground. No matter how difficult or threatening the situation, God's power within us is greater than we can ever fully see or comprehend. Technically speaking, Yal is a female name, borne from the Hebrew Bible and Christian Old . If General Barak were to catch her, she could be accused of conspiracy, harboring a fugitive, and summarily executed. Salem Media Group. She pulled down and packed the tents when they traveled to another place. She was the wife of a man named Lappidoth. Jael acted with initiative and courage. Despite their resemblance to goats, and their name, they are actually not closely related to goats. They reconciled, and warily journeyed home through the land of Canaan staying the night with an old man of the friendly Ephraim tribe. Jaels primary job, though, was to pitch tents, and she had become an expert in all phases of making, pitching, and striking such dwellings. As such, Jael shows us that God will use absolutely anybody to bring His will about. Ephesians 6:12 puts it like this: For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Eglon was another king who brutally treated the Israelites for 18 years, again a punishment handed down by God because of Israels unfaithfulness and idolatry. (LogOut/ David thanked her for this and repented of his desire to seek revenge. He is the one who gives life; he is the one who cancels our debts; he is the one who nails our sins to the cross once and for all. The Lord will allow a woman to defeat Sisera (Judges 4:9). Obedient: one of the main characteristics of Esther in the Bible is her biddability. Killing Sisera was the ultimate betrayal of a guest. If Jael did not act, she would be considered an extension of her husband a traitorous mercenary. When the Israelites came at Sisera with 10,000 men, Sisera fled. Come in. Otherwise, it will continue to harass us until it destroys us. Elisha came and eventually revived the child. Step 2 declare three integers x, y & z. A mighty warrior, judge, prophetess, and minstrel. But while she was doing that, she was very much aware of the fact that there was a battle going on. Jaels tent is seen as sacred ground, and this is why Sisera enters: he believes himself to be safe. Sisera, the commander of the Canaanite army, knew of Heber and the peace he lived with Jabin, the king of Canaan. A folktale is a fictional story that has been orally passed down over hundreds, sometimes thousands, of years. Her grieving husband cuts her body up into twelve pieces, and sends it out to the 12 tribes of Israel as a stark reminder of the lust and violence that were the Canaanites, and to severely warn them against co-habiting with such mongrels. The country seems to be confused about censorship, free speech, and any An American in Amman: A U.S. 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. [19] This can be seen in the Stavelot Bible, the Speculus Darmstadt, as well as several other texts. She didnt waste a moment thinking, If only I had a sword. She simply took up the tools at hand and did what was being asked of her. This was a great day for Israel as God defeated King Jabin of Canaan for the Israelites. And Ehud smotes him in the heart, leaving the dagger in his body with a treacherous slight of hand. Long story short, we have a vibrant, fun little girl named Jael who is the joy of our lives. What can we learn from Jael? (Judges 5:24-27) We dont know if Jael originally intended to kill Sisera. That required skillful use of a mallet and tent peg. He fell asleep and while he slept, she killed him. A woman who proved to be an early proponent of womens rights, eliminating the threat of sanctioned rape under the guise of hospitality. As Christians, we often like to focus on living at peace with everyone. Abigail showed great wisdom in acting quickly, swiftly, and speaking honorably to David. Abagail was kind and intelligent. Mountain Goat. (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. They did not know what to do. Heber made weapons. And understandably, her virtue is at risk of being violated. The only woman who judges, Deborah "used to sit under . Deborah, also spelled Debbora, prophet and heroine in the Old Testament (Judg. So when Sisera approached her tent, she knew exactly who he was and what she needed to do. At her feet he sank, he fell, he lay still; This was the best way to secure hospitality and protection. 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/ 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. Sisera arrived on foot at the tent of Heber on the plain of Zaanaim. After this victory, Israel enjoyed peace for forty years. A deeper understanding of people in the Bible. In spiritual warfare, you have to know who the enemy is. She put the tent peg to the side of Siseras head and hit it with a hammer. She was the wife of Israelite King Ahab. Barak said to her, If you will go withme, I will go. Evil could challenge but never conquer God. Note that the death of Sisera was unusual because the general of the Canaanite army lost his life by the hands of a woman, which in the culture of the Ancient Near East, was considered to be the greatest humiliation a soldier could ever experience. There is no doubt that he was bigger and very much stronger than Jael. Jael was the wife of Heber who was a Kenite, the same ethnic group that Moses' father-in-law (Jethro) had been from (Judges 4:11). The word folk comes from the German word volk, which means people. Jael was a woman who understood this. Sisera was, however, unaware that Hebers wife, Jael, whose tent he ran to, sympathized with the Israelites because of the twenty years of oppression by Jabin, his commander Sisera, and his 900 iron chariots. Eve and Adam, painting by Tamara de Lempicka, 1932. KNOWN OF ALL TENT DWELLING WOMENTO BE MOST BLESSEDJudges 4:17-22; 5:6, 24-27. So he died. 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). 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 . Therefore, the prospect of a woman being able to kill an experienced commander of an army was a strange one. 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. Only an act of God would make this plan work. You have the right to your own mind, no matter what your husband says and does, or where he takes you. They were well-educated, wealthy, wives, mothers, and judging from the number of solo female portraits single women or widows. It may not look the way we expect it to, and it can take a lot of trust to act when we dont feel well-equipped. Jael is one of those women of the Bible who we don't get a lot of details or background on. When he asked for water, she gave him milk (possibly to make him more sleepy!). By the way, if you prefer to listen rather than continue to read, feel free to play the audio below. But it holds so many lessons about spiritual warfare. In an astounding turn of events, the Shunammite woman gave birth to a child as promised, but, several years later, he died. Thus, Jael is not guilty of failing to provide hospitality. I will make Sisera, his chariots, and his army come to the Kishon River. (Gen. 25:1, 2). Jack Wellman is Pastor of the Mulvane Brethren church in Mulvane Kansas. We need to prioritize His glory and His competence over our own. Heber, Jaels husband, was a Kenite. She is considered one of the outstanding female warriors of the Bible next to Deborah. Step 6 print z. All rights reserved. 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. The railways and other public transportation systems, such as their trains and buses, for instance, are orderly and also extremely efficient and punctual. Bible Character Study on Abigail. The old man, as was customary, offered up his own daughter instead so that he would not be guilty of offending his temporary guests. Cultivate gratitude to God first and foremost. That is why we need to decide in our hearts that when the time comes, we will say yes to God. Who was Melchizedek and Why was He so Important? As he drew near, Jael invited him to enter her tent. We can learn much from this Old Testament lady of faith. During the time of the Judges There was a woman prophet named Deborah. Schenk notes that Sisera was Jael's guest, "was in the sanctuary of her home, and protected by the laws of hospitality. Be highly organized Slideshow. With no one else around, Ehud tells the king of a private dream he wanted to share, and whispered for the king to come close. 1 Corinthians 10:31 tells us, Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.. Jenna Martin is a youth ministry worker and freelance writer who specializes in Bible, health, and tourism topics. Judges 4:21-22 tells us this: But Jael the wife of Heber took a tent peg, and took a hammer in her hand. Moses lived among the Kenites in Midian until he was called by God to deliver the Israelites from Egypt. In those days, women made their own tents and pitched them. His family was at peace with King Jabin of Hazor. [21] Ladies sometimes chose to have their portraits painted as Jael, a transformation achieved by holding a hammer and spike.[22]. -2 Corinthians 3:5-6. Quite the opportunist, Heber travels north from Judah to Canaan, taking Jael with him. 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. So, what can we learn from this courageous womans story? She manipulated the trust that Sisera had for her. 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. So what about you, lovely? Jael, however, is interested in suing XYZ Burgers Refer to Fact Pattern 19-1. Ch.1.4: CHARACTERISTICS OF LIFE. When the Jews ate at King Achashverosh's (non-kosher) party, they brought death upon themselves. Jael could offer to help a fleeing enemy, as she did, but was not obligated to the ritual hospitality law. and is the daughter of Amram and Jochebed, and the sister of Moses and Aaron. He was a descendant of Jethro, the father of Zipporah and the father in law of Moses. Her name is Jael. Most Blessed of Women? Jael saw an opportunity to help Gods people. What are some of the outstanding qualities of Jael based on the little that has been revealed about her in the Bible? When Moses fled Egypt and went to Midian he met Jethro and eventually married his daughter Zipporah, thus marrying into the tribe of Kenite. She put the tent peg to the side of Siseras head and hit it with a hammer. By Jaels one act, she saves Israel from oppression, reverses the traitorious bedmates of Israel with Canaan, demolishes the law of rape under the guise of hospitality, saves her own reputation, becomes a woman warrior in her own right, and fulfills Deborahs prophecy. Jael was vigilant Jael was the typical woman taking care of the daily affairs of her home. They did not know what to do. Key Scripture: Judges 4-5 (New International Version) 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. And not just any milk. She was accustomed to setting up and tearing down camp. More positively, Jael was included in sets of the female Nine Worthies, such as the prints by Hans Burgkmair. The name itself signifies a wild mountain goat - apropos for a Bedouin's wife whose feet and character stay sturdy amongst the harsh crevices, rocks and unforgiving surroundings of her society. I could not believe that such violence was in the Bible. All we know for sure, besides the account of her story, is that she was a Bedouin and the wife of Heber the Kenite. Jael went on to show Sisera every possible kindness. Here are a few tips for when you find yourself in a battle with the enemy of your soul. Israels Judges actually had the responsibility to act as a military leader and thus when war came Deborah led the out-numbered, badly equipped Israelite troops to a miraculous victory. The other primary female character, Jael, has not been viewed so positively. 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. Sisera died, Barak came by Jaels tent, looking for Sisera. Jael's business went well for six months. 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. She brought out cream in a lordly bowl. The wife of Heber the Kenite, 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 Kenites, being Nomadic, lived near Jericho but moved south to the region of Negev. 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. (Notice the similarity to Lot offering up his daughter in the annals of Sodom and Gomorrah: Genesis 19:4-8). When I was 39, I became pregnant in the darkest part of our 21 years of marriage. 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. Deborah agreed, but prophesied that the honor of defeating Jabin's army would then go to a woman. That is why Sisera ran to Jaels tent (Judges 4:17) because he believed that he would be safe there. Want to know how? 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. Step 1 Start. He was willing to give up his daughters than hand over his guests to the men of Sodom. Still, for a meaning of the name Jael, both BDB Theological Dictionary and NOBSE Study Bible Name List read Mountain Goat. "[14][15] According to Herbert Lockyer she may have acted out of practical necessity. Feeling secure once inside her tent he appears to proceed giving her orders to tell anyone asking whether there is a man within her tent to tell them no. Their funerary iconography indicates that (at the least) they. All we know for sure, besides the account of her story, is that she was a Bedouin and the wife of Heber the Kenite. 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). Moreover, she has a masculine name and Sisera addresses her using . 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. Second, Sisera went to the tent of a woman. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. Copyright 2022 Nina Dafe. Her family were priests, pathfinders, metalworkers, and wanderers, looking for work wherever they could find it. Her right hand to the workman's hammer, It literally translates to "he shall ascend or go up". She stretched her hand to the tent peg; For Moses, it was the staff in his hand. Jael was a tent-dweller. Jael may have seen this actual body part in her country, or at the very least heard about it. Heber mistakenly assumes that the Canaanites have the military advantage; he forgets that God is on Israels side. The only one who can help us do that is Jesus. This is perhaps why he felt safe and comfortable in her camp. 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.. Scholars[10] have long recognized that the Song of Deborah, on the basis of linguistic evidence (archaic biblical Hebrew), is one of the oldest parts of the Bible, dating back to the 12th century BCE.[11]. During the battle, the Lord confused Sisera and his army and chariots. His family was at peace with King Jabin of Hazor. She used a bowl of milk and a tent peg. How much more should we glorify God with larger parts of our lives? [3] However, the Hebrew phrase translated this way could also mean "a woman of the group of the Kenites". 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. I was 2 months pregnant sitting in Gods presence when I heard the him say, You are having a girl. The story of the Bethlehem woman and Lots daughters are only two among thousands of similar stories during this time. [17] Parallels between the details of Jael's actions and Ehud's assassination of Eglon have led van Wijk-Bos to propose Jael as killing Sisera in a manner similar to his conquering army's use of rape. She covered him with a rug to hide and comfort him. However, she is not the only woman of valour detailed in this particular part of the Bible. And Jael took Sisera and pushed him onto the ground from the bed. She was Jewish, but as Mordecai had recommended, she never exposed her ethnicity or family background. Your email address will not be published. Lessons from Deborah in the Bible (characteristics and leadership qualities), 20 Free Christian Coloring Pages printables for adults and children . In one episode she tells him the biblical story of her first name. Be our patron for as little as one dollar a month: https://www.abarim-publications.com/Meaning/Jael.html, The Passion of the Christ and the Theory of Everything, Stars and fractals: the many hearts of wisdom, How the Bible relates to Homer like Ape to Dog, How circumcision created the modern world, The many Hebrew roots of the Greek language. The Israelite army, however, had strategically no chance of success since they were sorely lacking in soldiers and weaponry. Once Sisera was asleep, from shear exhaustion, Jael puts her tent building expertise to work. "J-L". Jabin's army was led by Sisera (Judg. They knew very little back ", "forgot to address your question, "How do you people dress and feed yourselves?" Jael was some kind of woman. The Jezebel Bible story comes to a close with the queen's gory death. Have you ever read any of Davids prayers? God's . Now, use an example to learn how to write algorithms. When the Holy Spirit prompts us to act, we usually dont have long to think. Throughout the narrative, we actually see Naomi looking out for Ruth, even while in the midst of paralyzing grief. The Antiquities of the Jews, translated by William Whiston. And Deborah prophesies: I will surely go with you; nevertheless there will be no glory for you in the journey you are taking, for the Lord will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. Presumably this hand was that of the Judge Deborah, not an obscure woman living in the high desert amongst the enemy. 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. Eve is the Great Mother, Everywoman. Jael learns her method from Ehud, who, through false pretenses, brought the enemy to within arms reach, and slays him to save the Israelite nation. She was judge of Israel at that time. No one would expect it, and no one would find him there. He is able to use any of us, even those who feel insignificant or powerless, for His greater good. These are tools she knew how to use well because she made tents. Hever the Kenite (.mw-parser-output .script-hebrew,.mw-parser-output .script-Hebr{font-family:"SBL Hebrew","SBL BibLit","Taamey Ashkenaz","Taamey Frank CLM","Frank Ruehl CLM","Ezra SIL","Ezra SIL SR","Keter Aram Tsova","Taamey David CLM","Keter YG","Shofar","David CLM","Hadasim CLM","Simple CLM","Nachlieli",Cardo,Alef,"Noto Serif Hebrew","Noto Sans Hebrew","David Libre",David,"Times New Roman",Gisha,Arial,FreeSerif,FreeSans} ) was, according to the Book of Judges in the Bible, a descendant of Reuel the Midianite, the father-in-law of Moses. Reminiscent of the Egyptians plight in the parting of the Red Sea, the Canaanites are slaughtered, with Sisera being the lone survivor. Jael appears bound to the Israelites because of her husbands kinship through the Midianites. Miriam ( Mir-ym) was born in 1576 B.C. She also accepted Hegai's advice on what to was to request before going in to see the king (Esther 2:15). (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. The irony of this battle was Baal, the main god of the Canaanites was considered god of storms and weather. Being killed by a woman would shame both the dead Canaanite general and the live Israelite general, who should have been the one to slay the enemy. She loves to hang around men with money, power, influence and positions. 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. Two stations were monitored between July 1996 and April 1998 to study temporal variation in species diversity and abundance of the epi- and endo-benthos.