When I read this, first, I was shocked ! Second, it brought to memory the story of the crucifixion of Christ and third, so many questions came to mind like, why? why Jael? why so violent? (Often women opt for non-violent ways to usher people out of the land of the living). Let’s get into it.
In a fringe tent-village long ago lived two warring tribes. One tribe believed in and worshiped one God whom they claimed to be the true God, while the other believed and worshipped many gods. The one-God tribe kept rebelling against their God and so their God gave them over to oppression by the other tribe led by Jabin, their king and his army commander Sisera. For 20 years they suffered all manner of brutality until they’d had enough. They cried and mourned to their God, who was moved and decided to rescue them.
This is a story of Divine justice: I’d love to know your thoughts.
“Turn aside to me, do not be afraid” Jael said as she met Sisera. Sisera was an army commander who had just fled the battlefield to save his life. I imagine she said this with a smile 😁. “Please give me a little water to drink for I’m thirsty.” He responded. Jael being the hospitable housewife she was, offered him milk instead, and covered him with a blanket. Disarming him. The exhaustion from all the fighting and fleeing set in. “Stand at the opening of the tent and if any man asks if anyone is here, say no.” Sisera fell asleep. Jael took a tent peg and a hammer, softly went to him and with high precision, drove the hammer in his temple until it went down into the ground. It was done. Without a sword or army, it was finished. Later, she went outside to meet the commander of the other tribe, who was pursuing Sisera. “Come and I’ll show you the man you are seeking,” she said. I don’t think Barak was prepared for what he saw.
Once again, we are met by a woman- a housewife, who brings down an army comMANder. She and her husband lived on neutral ground and in fact, this war, politically had nothing to do with her. She didn’t belong to the tribes, and she was not an ‘agent’. She simply found herself with an opportunity where the most feared and very powerful general slept at her feet, seized it and struck. Using the most available domestic tools at hand, i.e., hammer and tent peg, quickly and precisely, she ended 20 years of oppression. Her decision earned her a title of the ‘most blessed among women’, and a song that would be sang for thousands of years later.
Do you know the only other woman in the Bible called, ‘most blessed among women’? That’s right. Mary.
I’d like to think of myself as a courageous woman, but not to Jael’s level. I’d be trembling like a leaf. What if her husband came back home? Speaking of whom, where was he? The story records that Jael’s husband had made a peace alliance with king Jabin and this is why Sisera sought safety there. He expected a haven but met a hammer in the temple. Also, as customs dictated, a host was obligated to protect and not harm a guest whom they hosted yet she slayed him in his sleep, defenceless.
Would you say Jael betrayed her husband? and Sisera? Where do you think her loyalty should’ve been?
This story taught me that women aren’t exempted of extreme violence. Jael did what she had to when the opportunity presented itself even without knowing that she was fulfilling prophesy. She used available tools, including words to strike and seize victory against what she considered her enemy. What did you learn?
I don’t know what men learn from this … There’s a lesson somewhere there for sure.
NB: This isn’t an endorsement of violence
Note: This is not the full story. Please read it in the book of Judges 4-5 to get the full picture.
Also explore the previous story of Agent Delilah ⬇️⬇️⬇️
Delilah: The Spy
Keep reading! Deborah’s next 🤗
Courage is found in unlikely places
_JRR Tolkien