Give Her the Glory

Who was Jael?

Jael took a fearless stand for God’s people.

Jael is one of those women of the Bible who we don’t get a lot of details or background on. All we know for sure, besides the account of her story, is that she was a Bedouin and the wife of Heber the Kenite.

Before we discuss anymore about Jael, we have to address what was going on in Israel at the time.

Israel was at war with the Canaanites. Judges 4 tells us that God “sold Israel into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan” because the Israelites were doing what was evil in His sight.

At the time a prophetess named Deborah was judge over Israel, and people went to her for justice. Deborah was courageous, wise and did as God commanded of her. Judges 4:6 tells us that she called upon a man named Barak, who God chose to be the leader of Israel’s army against Jabin. Barak was a bit unsure of Deborah’s invitation. You see, Sisera was the commander of the Canaanite army. He was a powerful, vengeful and cruel man who oppressed the Israelites for twenty years.

When 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

(We’ve all had a friend like Barak. Ha-ha!)

Deborah agrees to go as to fulfill God’s command, but tells Barak that because of the way he responded to God’s call there would be no glory for him when Sisera was defeated. In fact, God was going to “sell Sisera into the hand of a woman” instead, and give her the glory.

This would be Jael.

We may all benefit to pause here and take in the wisdom from this single moment.
How often might we hesitate to except the challenges God has put before us? How might we choose to be obedient “only if someone else does it too”? And, can a woman really obtain the glory from this immense battle? Certainly!

What did she do?

Shortly after Deborah and Barak’s exchange, Barak’s army met Sisera’s in the battle in which Sisera would be delivered into the hand of the Israelites. Sisera’s army was quickly losing, so in one last ditch effort to save his life Sisera got out of his chariot and fled on foot…

Right to the tent of Jael.

Jael acted decisively when Sisera, the chief of the Canaanite army, showed up in her camp. Sisera had lost his battle against Israel and was now looking for refuge and shelter. Jael invited him into her tent to hide and rest.

Then Jaʹel came out to meet Sisʹe·ra and said to him:

“Come in, my lord, come in here. Do not be afraid.” So he went into her tent, and she covered him with a blanket. 19

While he was sleeping, she executed him.—Judges 4:17-21.

But Jaʹel the wife of Heʹber took a tent pin and a hammer in her hand. Then while he was fast asleep and exhausted, she stealthily approached him and drove the pin through his temples

Jael’s action fulfilled a prophecy spoken by Deborah: —Judges 4:9

“It will be into the hand of a woman that Jehovah will give Sisera.” For her role, Jael was praised as the “most blessed of women.”—Judges 5:24.

On that day God subdued Jabin king of Canaan before the Israelites. And the hand of the Israelites grew stronger and stronger against Jabin king of Canaan until they destroyed him.
– Judges 4:23, 24
(Ref. Biblehub, Bible Gateway & J.Women of the Bible)

What can we learn from Jael?

Jael acted with initiative and courage. Her experience shows how God can maneuver events to fulfill prophecy. Jael was chosen and used by God to fufill His promise. We can also see here that as women, we have been called and used by God since the beginning. We can see here how God illustrates the power that is in Him and not to from our own strength.

God is above what society [or man] may set as limitations. His word is final and He is to receive the Glory. Without God sending Sisera to Jael, without God’s command and courage given to Jael, she would not have defeated Sisera apart from Him. Jael did recieve the glory for the defeat, but in celebrating Jael we also celebrate what God did through her as she was obedient to Him.

By God choosing to use these women, He is able to not only display how mighty He is, but that male or female, we are perfect by design and in His image. He shows us that we all hear our father’s voice, and we are all called for great and immeasurable things, as He lives in each of His children.