One of my favorite warrior-heroines in the Bible is the relatively unknown Jael (Ya-El) in Judges chapter 4. I say relatively, because she is introduced in the same chapter as the celebrated prophetess Deborah, and so it’s only natural that she would be slightly overshadowed by that famous Mother in Israel.
But every time I think of Jael, I get an excited blood rush. This woman had to be the bravest, sharpest and coolest protagonist in her tribe. Her acuity of mind and swift response to an unexpected development not only fulfilled Deborah’s prophetic word, but also ushered in 40 years of peace in the Land.
Before I continue to blow Jael’s and Deborah’s trumpets, let’s check out the other main players in this chapter and celebrate them too.
Firstly, let’s hear it for the men in this story- Lappidoth, Barak and Heber- a supportive triad worthy of our mention and commendation.
Lappidoth was the First Gentleman to Deborah’s premiership; a man secure in his identity and calling and who had no problem sitting under his wife’s leadership and judgment. The Patriarchy was alive and kicking then, much more than now- but kudos to him for not sulking or attempting to muzzle his wife just because he was not chosen for the highest position.
Barak was the nervous soldier hesitant to lead his troops into a bloody battle against a mighty army. But he wasn’t ashamed to ask for the prophetess’s help, even after she told him that the coup de grâce would be at the hands of a woman. This too required a modicum of meekness and humility, traits usually uncommon in a man- so kudos to him too; for confessing his apprehensions honestly and for unashamedly ceding the ultimate badge of victory to a woman.
Heber the Kenite, Jael’s husband, was an outlier of sorts. He had disassociated from his own tribe and pitched his tent flirtingly close to enemy lines, thus coming to be regarded as an ally by them, and inadvertently setting the stage for his wife to become the real heroine of the story. God can use our husbands with prophetic wisdom even when they are unaware.
And, of course, Deborah, a woman upon whose head the crown of authority fit snugly and comfortably; a woman unapologetic about the assignment given to her by God, and with zero propensity towards simpering false humility or kowtowing to fragile male egos. This was a woman powerfully anointed to be Judge over Israel, a prophetess who spoke forth fearlessly and accurately, fearing only God.
She was also the visible seal of God’s intent to display His power and authority through His daughters as well, attesting the truth that God’s Grace and Gifts are bestowed generously on both men and women alike. “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:” I Corinthians 12:7
Look around you and see the proliferation of Deborahs in the Church in our day. They are sprouting everywhere- prophetesses, leaders, strong women filled with charismata and power; women sitting under the palm tree of revelation, wisdom and authority and unafraid to be God’s spokeswomen.
God has faithfully fulfilled His promise of pouring out His Spirit on ALL flesh in the Last Days (Joel 2:28).
What we need more of now are the Lappidoths and the Baraks; men who don’t tussle for titles and empty accolades from each other, but are unrelenting in their pursuit to elevate and release women into the apex of their anointing. I believe that when that happens there will be an explosion of God’s glory and power in the Church.
And finally, we come to the woman I admire much. Jael was related by marriage to Moses, through his father- in-law, Jethro. She didn’t even belong to the tribes of Israel, but she was fully and completely aligned with the people of God.
Jael may have been a tent dweller, an ordinary housewife, but deep within she possessed extraordinary courage and initiative. As do we all. And God saw that, and God utilized that.
When Jael saw the fleeing Sisera come her way, she immediately recognised that God was giving her an opportunity for vindication and victory and she took the bold initiative of inviting him to take refuge in her tent.
Then once he was sated and asleep she grabbed a tent peg and hammered it through his head under the blanket. It was all over in a minute. A celebrated General had been killed at the hands of a woman- shameful ignominy for any man.
Deborah prophesied. Jael actualized.
This strategic collaboration between the prophetess and the head-basher is a foreshadow, I believe, of the types of women God is raising and training for war in the Last Days: women who receive strategies from heaven, and women who implement those strategies with fierce bravery.
It is also a reminder that we must never tolerate, justify, or show mercy to the wiles of the enemy. Decapitating the head of the serpent is the only way to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe from insidious attack.
We have a choice to either be like Eve who entertained niceties with the serpent which ended in disaster- or we can be like Jael who ruthlessly hammered the head of the enemy and liberated the people from the oppressor.
It really is a no-brainer decision.
