So here Jael sits, with the commander of the Canaanite army in her tent, and she has a decision to make. We have compiled these articles to help you study those whom God chose to set before us as examples in His Word. Jael and Judith were also used as propaganda figures by Protestants and Catholics alike to symbolize the violent overthrow of heresy. Deborah, the only female judge in the Bible, excelled in multiple areas. She understood that God alone is able to do what he says he will do. It is unknown if Jael, like Rahab, acted out of loyalty to Israel and Israels God, or reacted to Siseras arrogant and domineering behavior. Instead she used things like the fact that he would trust a woman easily. Have you ever read any of Davids prayers? The ancient laws of hospitality in the ancient Middle East were very strict. Women of the Bible, Jean E. Syswerda, Zondervan Publishers, 1999. (Matthew 23), He touched lepers even though the rules of his day said that doing so would make him unclean. KNOWN OF ALL TENT DWELLING WOMENTO BE MOST BLESSEDJudges 4:17-22; 5:6, 24-27. Sisera was the commander of the Canaanite army. When Moses fled Egypt and went to Midian he met Jethro and eventually married his daughter Zipporah, thus marrying into the tribe of Kenite. When Sisera got to her tent she invited him in and he entered without fear because " there was peace between Jabinand the house of Heber ". Jael was the wife of Heber the Kenite. Her hair is neatly braided and pinned back. 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. Esther rectified this when she called for a three-day fast. The Kenites, being Nomadic, lived near Jericho but moved south to the region of Negev. This enabled the Israelite army to defeat the Canaanites one person at a time. 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. That would make the mountain goat literally a "benefiter of practical skill.". A mighty warrior, judge, prophetess, and minstrel. Change). She was accustomed to setting up and tearing down camp. At that time, Deborah was the ruling judge in Israel. Their funerary iconography indicates that (at the least) they. That is why the Song of Deborah was written for On the day that the Israelites defeated Sisera, Deborah and Barak son of Abinoam sang this song (Judges 5:2-31) in tribute, first and foremost to God but Jael was hailed as a heroine and was part if this Song of Deborah and gave Jael a right and fitting place in the history of Israel. 27 Activists Speaking: Jael Kerandi Service Join the Pace Center as we host Jael Kerandi, former student activist and current social justice advocate for a focused conversation on her journey as a student fighting against police brutality to her sucessful financial advocacy career. Thus, Jael was very capable of holding a tent peg in one hand and utilize the use of a hammer, or maul, in the other. The armies met on the plain of Esdraelon, where Sisera's iron-bound chariots became hampered by the mud caused by a downpour during the night that caused the Wadi Kishon to overflow its banks. Maerl was commonest at 51-90 m depth with 20-39% live . As he drew near, Jael invited him to enter her tent. "[13], Judges 4:17 states that there was peace between the Canaanites and Heber's clan. Curiously, nouns (ya'al) and (ya'ala) describe the male and female mountain goat respectively. In God's good design, men are rulers and fighters; they bear the responsibility of providing . She may have just been trying to delay him so that anyone pursuing him could catch up. Here Artemisia shows Jael wearing a 17th-century version of the simple sort of dress that might be worn by a respectable tradesman's wife. In spiritual warfare, you have to know who the enemy is. Sisera, the commander of the Canaanite army, knew of Heber and the peace he lived with Jabin, the king of Canaan. You could even say the fight wasnt fair. They are shaggy animals, with white coats and moderately long horns. Showtime Original Series WEEDS featured character Yael Hoffman (Meital Dohan) in 2006. and then I heard Judges 4. Situations are ever-changing in this life and opportunities pass by quickly. Yes, trouble might come from these people but if that is the case, they are only instruments in the hands of the enemy. 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. So, what can we learn from this courageous womans story? And if she did not act, Israel would not have been saved. During the battle, the Lord confused Sisera and his army and chariots. Adam is Adham, meaning 'dust of the earth'. For with God all things are possible. In her free time youll probably find her writing, lifting, or doting on her handsome cat. Jael, however, offered refuge to a fleeing enemy general, NOT ritual hospitality. You will have that defining moment in your life, just like Jael did, where you will be used mightily to further His kingdom. Jael and her family were a bit like Abraham and Sarah. The woman lost her will to live due to her insurmountable shame. Here are some highlights of Queen Esther of Persia's noble character: Obedience (2:10, 15) Pleasant/Friendly (2:9) Wise enough to seek advice and follow it (2:10, 15, 20; 4) Boldness - courage in action, despite realistic fear (4:16, 7:3) Faith (5:4) True humility (7:3-4, 8:1-2) Growing Your Own Queen Esther Characteristics Sisera was in flight and Barak in pursuit. It may not be in line with our idea of perfect timing, however He is not a man that He should lie;" His word does not return to Him void but accomplishes what He pleases (Isaiah 55:11). Obedient: one of the main characteristics of Esther in the Bible is her biddability. God used the evil fight between Rachel and Leah to further the promise he had made to Abraham. 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. He remained in her tent though his presence there endangered everyone in the encampment. Sisera arrived on foot at the tent of Heber on the plain of Zaanaim. Jael would also be familiar with the legendary Ehud, a Benjamite who recently drove a knife into the heart of King Eglon of the Moabites during Israels last cycle of oppression. This is perhaps why he felt safe and comfortable in her camp. 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. A deeper understanding of people in the Bible. Heber (whose name means ally,) contracts himself out to the Canaanite army led by General Sisera for weapon-making. Then, however, another XYZ Burgers franchise opened just down the street from Jael's restaurant. II Kings chapter 4, where we find her story, is also the haftarah portion which corresponds to parshat Vayera which tells of the miraculous birth of Abraham and Sarah's son Isaac as well as the binding of Isaac.There are at least three clear parallels: hospitality, a prophecy to a barren woman that she will bear a son, and the near-death experience of that son. Siseras army was quickly losing, so in one last ditch effort to save his life Sisera got out of his chariot and fled on foot, Jael saw Sisera and came out to meet him. 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 term Midianites is derived from Midian who was a son of Abraham and Keturah. 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. Extolled above women in the tent. She was nowhere near ready for a battle of any kind. Technically speaking, Yal is a female name, borne from the Hebrew Bible and Christian Old . Deborah does accompany Barak, an Israelite general, to fight the Canaanites. Deborah agrees to go, but tells Barak that because of the way he responded to Gods call there would be no glory for him in Siseras defeat. 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.. This is not a story about physical strength but about strength of commitment to God. As Barak was passing by the tent of Jael, in pursuit of Sisera, she shows him the corpse of the dead Canaanite general inside her tent. Barak and his men defeated Siseras army, but Sisera left his chariot and ran away on foot, ran away to the tent where a woman named Jael lived. Colossians 2:13-15 paints a beautiful picture of the victory Jesus gaveand continues to give usover sin: And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. Why shouldnt he take refuge in the tent of a woman uninvolved in the war? She is the only female judge, the only one to be called a prophet, and the only one described as performing a judicial function. There is no doubt that he was bigger and very much stronger than Jael. The story of Jael in the Bible is short but it is power-packed with lessons about spiritual warfare. And Jael said, "Strengthen in me today, Lord, my arm on account of you and your people and those who hope in you." She managed to lead the enemys iron-wheeled chariots onto the marshy land where they became bogged down, useless and helpless. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Once Sisera was asleep, from shear exhaustion, Jael puts her tent building expertise to work. 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. Jenna Martin is a youth ministry worker and freelance writer who specializes in Bible, health, and tourism topics. It is believed they served customers wherever they traveled in the way of metalworkers. But our God is sovereign, and we can trust Him to give us competence. [18] Jael, along with Ehud, is an example in Judges of the contrast between marginal heroes and well-armed enemies conquered by wit and stealth. Since the tent she was staying in was a womans tent, there were no weapons nearby. She would have had no settled home, moving from place to place as a way of obtaining food, finding pasture for livestock, or otherwise making a living. First, Sisera should have gone to Hebers tent. Due to Jaels actions, the children of Israel won their battle for freedom against King Jabin and had rest [in their land] for forty years. It could just mean that their lives will take turns they didnt see coming. Sisera was very tired, so he was sleeping. The Bible records a number of cases of intermarriage; the father-in-law of Moses was apparently a Kenite, but it is not clear whether this was Jethro. Jones' Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names translates this name with Ibex. This event in Jaels life reveals a series of lessons, the first of which is that God will always fulfil His word. And Ehud smotes him in the heart, leaving the dagger in his body with a treacherous slight of hand. In spiritual battles, the enemy often comes disguised. Appearance of Other Varieties We'll get deeper into three of her weaknesses, and how they apply to us in our modern, 21st century lives as Christians. Then she went softly to him and drove the peg into his temple until it went down into the ground while he was lying fast asleep from weariness. If Jaels husband were to catch her alone with Sisera, he could accuse her of adultery and have her stoned to death. Jael was married to a Kenanite named Heber, a man descended from Jethro (Moses' father-in-law of the Midianites). A womans tent is the very last place anybody would look for a fugitive or a runaway army commander. Bible References. To take a refugee into her tent, show him hospitality and make him feel safe, and then kill him was an act of gruesome treachery. Blessed is she among women. A distinctive honor not just given to the Virgin Mary, but also to a little-known nomadic warrior who descended from a priestly clan in 1125 B.C. He will step in and destroy either them or their plans for you. If anyone comes by and asks you, Is anyone in there? say, No, But Jael found a tent peg and a hammer. It would not have been wise to allow Barak to find Sisera in her tent. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. The portability of Java-based software (which means that you can write your code in a system and run it anywhere) is one of the most important characteristics of Java. According to Jewish tradition, Deborah, Barak, Jael, and Heber are buried near the spring beneath the town of Kedesh. Heber, Jaels husband, was a smart enough businessman so as to keep peace with Jabin, the king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor and who had oppressed the Israelites for the past twenty years. Remember the story of Lot and the angels? Her family were tinsmiths who made farming utensils, domestic items, and weapons. Deborah therefore agreed to go along with him but prophesied that there would be no glory for [Barak] in the journey [that he was] taking, for the Lord [would] sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. She brought him cream in a lordly dish. When Sisera got to her tent she invited him in and he entered without fear because there was peace between Jabinand the house of Heber. Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! No matter how difficult or threatening the situation, God's power within us is greater than we can ever fully see or comprehend. The Hebrew ya'el means ibex, a nimble, sure-footed mountain goat native to that region. The Israelites finally destroyed him, Jael was the wife of Heber the Kenite. Long story short, we have a vibrant, fun little girl named Jael who is the joy of our lives. The NIV Study Bible 10th Anniversary Edition, Zondervan Publishing House, 1995. If you are a Bible study teacher, you are free to allow this content to influence the lessons you teach or the sermons you present. This was the best way to secure hospitality and protection. She Was a Reincarnation of Eve and Yael Through feeding her husband the forbidden fruit, Eve introduced death into the world. Hospitality laws in the middle east, at that time, were very strict. And in many ways we can see, from the story of Samson, just how weak Delilah was in her relation to Samson. Here are five strong women with a summary of their story.. Jael - Judges 4. (The other Prophetess' are: Sarah, Deborah, Hannah, Abigail, and Esther . After this victory, Israel enjoyed peace for forty years. Now, use an example to learn how to write algorithms. The name Jael means "mountain goat". She was discerning in confronting David and kept him out of sin. I can't get over how fearlessly Jael acts in this story. Just before the battle had begun a downpour caused the battleground to become deep mud and Deborah took advantage of the circumstances, thus the Israelite foot soldiers were able to overtake the Canaanite iron chariots. When Sisera showed up, this should have been the case. 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. A woman who rose from obscurity to greatness, and becomes synonymous with the likes of other well-known tentdwellers: Sarah, Hagar, Leah and Rachel. The verb (ya'al) means to profit, benefit or be of any (or much) practical use.Curiously, nouns (ya'al) and (ya'ala) describe the male and female mountain goat respectively.Some scholars insist that these nouns derive from a whole other but unused verb, namely one meaning to ascend. 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. And Sisera had no reason to be. Tearing a page from Ehuds handbook, she lulls Sisera into trust and complacency. Barak said to Deborah, I will go and do this if you will go with me. Jabin's army was led by Sisera (Judg. Most Blessed is Jael among women, indeed. She is very ambitious. God gave the Israelites a seemingly impossible defeat against the superior Canaanite army thus giving them access to the fertile plains of Jezreel and Esdraelon. Jael's story lets us know sometimes a girl has to slay the giants in her life, using whatever crude tools are available. Jewish Virtual Library, http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/judaica/ejud_0002_0012_0_11033.html She pulled down and packed the tents when they traveled to another place. If General Barak were to catch her, she could be accused of conspiracy, harboring a fugitive, and summarily executed. But he did not feel it, because he was very groggy. Step 6 print z. Deborah, the prophetess, was judging Israel at this time. More positively, Jael was included in sets of the female Nine Worthies, such as the prints by Hans Burgkmair. The Life of Ruth - 5 Essential Faith Lessons, 3 Things You Didnt Know About Mary (Mother of Jesus), 5 Powerful Lessons from the Unusual Story of Jael. "[12], There is also a reference to the story of Jael in Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales. In fact, God was going to sell Sisera into the hand of a woman instead, and give her the gloryand that woman (spoiler alert!) Mountain goats are large hoofed mammals that live in North America. Her story is found in Judges 4:17-24. It was divine intervention, then, that Jael was alone with General Sisera, and she seized upon it with the courage, wisdom, strength and vigilance as her predecessors. Forty stations within a 20 km2 Maltese maerl bed were sampled by grab to gather data on sediment granulometry and the percentage mass, sphericity, and morphotype of rhodoliths. 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