Jael ~ Woman of the Week

There are two women who play a prominent role in this story.  Deborah, the prophetess, and Jael, the Kenite.  The children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the Lord and He sent an evil king to oppress them.  It was Deborah who prophesied to Barak that the Lord would deliver them out of the hand of Sisera, the captain of the army.  Barak would not go unless Deborah went with him.  Deborah responded, "I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman."

Verses:  Judges 4:17-24, Judges 5:6, 24-31

Background – parents, husband, children, siblings

Jael was married to Heber the Kenite.  The Kenites were a nomadic people, dwelling in tents.  At this time, they were at peace with Jabin the king who had oppressed the children of Israel for 20 years. 

What is she most known for? Victories? Defeats? How can I be like her? How can I avoid being like her?

The commentaries about Jael were very interesting.  Many wrote that her acts of kindness, were just that, not part of a plan to get Sisera to sleep and then kill him.  "According to the usages of nomadic people, the duty of receiving the stranger in the sheik’s absence devolves on his wife, and the moment the stranger is admitted into his tent, his claim to be defended or concealed from his pursuers is established." (A Commentary on the Old and New Testaments by Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown)   "Sisera preferred the woman’s tent because of secrecy; for, according to the etiquette of the eastern countries, no person ever intrudes into the apartments of the women. And in every dwelling the women have a separate apartment." (Adam Clarke)

She covered him with a blanket and gave him milk to drink when he asked for water - "She gave more than he requested; and her friendship increased his confidence and security." (Adam Clarke)  "In order to be quite sure, Sisera entreated his hostess to stand before the door and turn any one away who might come to her to seek for one of the fugitives." (Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament)

Did she reach a place when she needed to reset?  If so, did she?  For good or evil?

When Sisera was asleep, Jael changed from a kind hostess to an avenger.  More than one commentary said she should not have murdered him. "Escape was almost impossible for Sisera. But the taking of his life by the hand of Jael was murder. It was a direct violation of all the notions of honor and friendship that are usually held sacred among pastoral people, and for which it is impossible to conceive a woman in Jael’s circumstances to have had any motive, except that of gaining favor with the victors." (JFB)

Others agreed that she was used by God.  "Whether she designed this or no when she invited him into her tent does not appear; probably the thought was darted into her mind when she saw him lie so conveniently to receive such a fatal blow; and, doubtless, the thought brought with it evidence sufficient that it came not from Satan as a murderer and destroyer, but from God as a righteous judge and avenger, so much of brightness and heavenly light did she perceive in the inducements to it that offered themselves, the honor of God and the deliverance of Israel, and nothing of the blackness of malice, hatred, or personal revenge." (Matthew Henry)  "If we can overlook the treachery and violence which belonged to the morals of the age and country, and bear in mind Jael’s ardent sympathies with the oppressed people of God, her faith in the right of Israel to possess the land in which they were now slaves, her zeal for the glory of Yahweh as against the gods of Canaan, and the heroic courage and firmness with which she executed her deadly purpose, we shall be ready to yield to her the praise which is her due." (Albert Barnes)

I've thought about this a lot this week.  Was Jael in the wrong for putting Sisera to death?  Was it because she was a woman and not a male warrior?  The last verse of Judges chapter 4 says, "And the hand of the children of Israel prospered, and prevailed against Jabin the king of Canaan, until they had destroyed Jabin king of Canaan."  War and destruction was (and still is) part of life in this sin filled world.  God allowed men to conquer their enemies, including killing them (i.e. David killed Goliath and Samuel "hewed to pieces" King Agag.)  So I don't think Jael was wrong in killing Sisera.  The Bible does not condemn her, only the writings of men do. I also had to ask myself, what would Barak have done if he had caught Sisera?  Surely he would have put him to death.

Matthew Henry said Deborah's song concluded, "With the praises of Jael, her sister-heroine, whose valiant act had completed and crowned the victory. She had mentioned her before as one that would have served her country if it had been in her power; now she applauds her as one that did serve it admirably well when it was in her power.  How honourably does she speak of Jael, who preferred her peace with the God of Israel before her peace with the king of Canaan, and though not a native of Israel (for aught that appears) yet heartily espoused the cause of Israel in this critical conjuncture, jeoparded her life as truly as if she had been in the high places of the field, and bravely fought for those whom she saw God fought for!"

What I know for sure:  Deborah's prophecy "the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman" was fulfilled and in Deborah's song in Judges chapter 5, it says Jael would be "Blessed above women."