Jael's Moment

Jael in Hebrew means ibex, a nimble, sure-footed mountain goat native to that place.

In Judges 4, two women are mentioned, Deborah and Jael. One is famous and well-known while the other is not. One has a prominent role of leadership, with men under her charge and control, while the other has nothing said about her really. It is a time of fighting and Deborah, the leader of the people of God, is a main figure in this battle against Jabin’s powerful army, who is commanded by Sisera the fierce and mighty warrior.

Who then is Jael? She is the wife of Heber the breakaway Kenite. I refer to her husband as breakaway because he has left the rest of the Kenite Israeli clan, to live with others as a Bedouin. In those days, clans remained close to each other and were ruled and guided by the leader God gave them. But Heber left, separating himself from the rest of his people, the Israelites. We are also told that Heber, was good friends with the Canaanite King, under whom the Israelites were slaves. Not only that, but her husband ensured that Jael and all of his clan were friends with Israel’s enemies, for the Canaanites were Israel’s enemy.

From the onset then, let us form this picture of Jael, under the rule and authority of her husband.

She is a woman without substance. By all accounts, her husband is not a wealthy powerful Kenite, so that she could bask in her wealth. Jael is just a simple woman.
She is a woman without status. By all accounts, there is absolutely no indication that she has any divine calling as does Deborah, for example, who is a prophetess of God, and who judges Israel. Jael is just an ordinary woman.
She is a woman without standing. By all accounts, she is an excluded part of the whole family of Israel, because she is under her husband’s rule and he has chosen to be friends with Israel’s enemies – the Canaanites. Jael is just a usual woman.

While minding her own business, into her tent runs this feared enemy of God’s people. Sisera, however, fled on foot to the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, because there were friendly relations between Jabin king of Hazor and the clan of Heber the Kenite. Judges 4: 17. Sisera, this mighty warrior is scared, exhausted and wanting a place of refuge. Cowardice or Courage? Which is it for Jael?

Listen carefully now! This is a moment that is hers and hers alone. The Lord has put the enemy of His people, right into Jael’s hands. Although this is not openly said, it is obvious that her husband is not at home, for I am sure he would have taken over and the outcome would certainly be vastly different. This most feared enemy of God’s people has come to her door, scared, running for his life, a deserter. He is no longer the image of a mighty warrior, leading the army of a powerful people. Does she get flustered and confused? Does she hide? Does she run away? Does she chase the enemy away?

Not at all! Here is her moment to display an act of Courage.

She Calms him down by speaking words of assurance and offering him milk to drink.

She Covers him by offering him her tent to rest and stay and ensuring he is hidden.

She Crushes him by driving a tent peg into his temple. She kills the feared enemy.

We are shown how one simple, ordinary woman, living under the constraints of a breakaway family, is used by God to courageously take down a mighty soldier and enemy of the Lord. Additionally, in her one moment, not just an important enemy was crushed, but the king, to whom Sisera was his right hand man, was subdued tremendously.

You may be in a separated family, one which has turned its back on God. You do not agree with what is taking place, but your voice is dismissed and you may even be disliked and insulted by them, because of your position, which you have taken. You may even feel trapped and think that God will never use you in your present state. Just look at Jael.

You too are given moments and though unplanned, you too will display, not cowardice but courage. Your one moment can be extremely precious and powerful for you and others, whatever it may be.