According to ‘Every Woman of the Bible’ (Richards, 1999) Jael’s actions pointed to the fact that she was not just a possession of her husband (which was how women of the times were viewed) but as a participant in their marriage On his defeat She became an Israeli hero for killing the Canaanite general Sisera, the commander of King Jabin’s army from Hazor. Judges 4:17 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful. She didn’t waste a moment thinking, “If only I had a sword.” She simply took up the tools at hand and did what was being asked of her. Her character: Decisive and courageous, she seized the opportunity to kill an enemy of God’s people. Good guests don't make demands (Sisera made Jael. Hamlin, E. John. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 2000. The Canaanites under the king Jabin of Hazor oppressed Israel for twenty years. Deborah's Song says that Jael is "blessed The NIV Study Bible 10th Anniversary Edition, Zondervan Publishing House, 1995. A woman who, akin to the Virgin Mary, courageously helped save the Israelite nation despite the oppressive cultural norms for women, and chose God’s… Judges 4:21 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1996. She then took in her left … How different would the world look if we seized opportunities, used our resources, freed the oppressed, honored God, and fought like Jael? The only one who can help us do that is Jesus. Release me from any limitations I, others, or the enemy have put on my life that have … "Joshua, Judges, Ruth." Once he was asleep, she killed him with a Ruth Perrin, the author, is on staff at King's Church Durham and holds an MA in Theology and Ministry. When Sisera asked for water, she gave him milk. Situations are ever-changing in this life and opportunities pass by quickly. Before looking at the principle, we must make it very clear that the Bible requires honest communication in all forms in normal situations. For years Jabin the king of Canaan had oppressed Israel. Still, she said yes to the prodding of God. Hand drawn lady a sketch, not perfect but I like her. Soon Sisera would be awake again, and she took the opportunity to do what God was asking her to do. Deborah4 Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, now that Ehud was dead. Then Barak came in pursuit of Sisera, Jael went out to … 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. Copyright © 2021 BibleWise.com. Women of the Bible Study Series Deborah: Embracing God’s Call. Judges 4:6 tells us that she summoned a man named Barak, who God chose to be the leader of Israel’s army against Jabin’s forces. two, one of which was to ask her to lie on his New International Biblical Commentary. The song is old, most probably dating to the late twelfth century b.c.e., and may be the earliest poem in the Hebrew Bible. When Sisera asked for water, she gave him justified in killing him to restore honor to Jael invited him into her tent to hide and rest. That is why we need to decide in our hearts that when the time comes, we will say yes to God. Before we talk anymore about Jael, we have to talk about what was going on in Israel at the time. … Israelites for 20 years. All rights reserved. 5, 5, 4), although there is no reason to suppose with Josephus and the Rabbis (D. Kimchi, Jarchi, etc.) If you are familiar with this story, read it as if you have never heard it before. Jael acted decisively when Sisera, the chief of the Canaanite army, showed up in her camp. She was the wife of Heber, a non-Israelite. For more info, you can check out her blog here. 1 Corinthians 10:31 tells us…, “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”. I thank you, Lord, that you love to do extraordinary things through ordinary people like me. Those critical of Jael claim she violated ... Standard Bible Encyclopedia. When he asked for water, she gave him milk (possibly to make him more sleepy!). But we do know that all her actions toward Sisera were deceptions of her true intentions. Jael’s deeds are recounted in Judges 4 and in the poetic Song of Deborah in Judges 5. In fact, the Bible tells us that Jael’s people, the Kenites, were at peace with the Canaanites. So he died. The Kenites were related to the Midianites.Jael features in the book of Judges as a heroic woman who killed Sisera, the leader of King Jabin’s Canaanite army.Jabin was trying to conquer Israel, which was at that time under the leadership of … Jael, on the hand, seems more acceptable because she did not commit to lying when Sisera asked her to lie [Jud. In fact, God was going to “sell Sisera into the hand of a woman” instead, and give her the glory…and that woman (spoiler alert!) There is also reference to where Jael is He asserted that we should not be content to see our sins simply fleeing from us; we should be ready to pursue them and then to drive them into the ground—dead—with a nail, the way Jael did. That means that if anything, Jael should have been an ally to Sisera. Bible Study Questions on Judges Introduction: This workbook was designed for Bible class study, family study, or personal study. Who was Melchizedek and Why was He so Important? 2. of of self-defense! -2 Corinthians 3:5-6. “Most blessed of women be Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, most blessed of tent-dwelling women. For He asked for water, and she gave him milk; in a bowl fit for nobles she brought him curdled milk. Before we talk anymore about Jael, we have to talk about what was going on in Israel at the time. Ultimately, credit for the deliverance is 1. 335, and "The Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible", vol.4, pg. Jael might have believed he meant to do her Jael’s actions did not make sense in the moment. For ideas on how to use these studies most effectively, click here. Sisera was the commander of the Canaanite army. "Judges." It is a scene you might find in popular TV shows that we would never allow our kids to watch. tent instead - generally hospitality was a man's We need to prioritize His glory and His competence over our own. Sisera determined his own fate by ordering Who was Melchizedek and Why was He so Important?The Bible Story of Queen EstherThe Life of Ruth - 5 Essential Faith Lessons3 Things You Didn’t Know About Mary (Mother of Jesus). There are other people mentioned in the Bible about whom we know very little. A woman who, akin to the Virgin Mary, courageously helped save the Israelite nation despite the oppressive cultural norms for women, and chose God’s people over her own reputation. This article is part of the She Is Called Women of the Bible Study Series . Biography of Ruth in the Bible. Auld, A. Graeme. So here we have Jael, who killed an enemy of the Israelites and was praised for it. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm B Eerdmans, 1990. Women of the Bible Jael Bible Journaling Element PDF -printable. Her story starts in Judges, chapter 4. The International Theological Commentary. He denounced religious rulers for heaping impossible burdens on the people listening to them. Part 2 iSlay Bible Study Week 3: Jael Woman Warrior (Judges 4-5) Join us VirtualiSlayBibleStudy.Eventbrite.com Audio To listen to the audio of this lesson click HERE or Get the mp3. Salem Media Group. The history of this event is clear. Jael took great risks and most likely sealed her people’s allegiance to the tribe of Isra… The name Jael means "mountain goat." into the hands of a woman, most readers thought Sisera had lost his battle against Israel … Forgotten Women of the Bible: Jael By Rebecca Rushmore . Jael was the wife of Heber the Kenite who is celebrated in the Song of Deborah in the Book of Judges in chapter five. 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. Barak, under the leadership of Deborah the Judge, defeated Sisera’s army. As you read, look up the locations on your Bible maps or atlas. The life of … Deborah is a judge, leader, wife, and mother, who guides Israel during the time when they had no king. “Turn aside, my lord,” she said to him. When the Holy Spirit prompts us to act, we usually don’t have long to think. 4 . The Daily Study Bible Series. Ackerman, Susan. The Kenites were their friends, and, because of the Kenite skill in metal-working, were doubtless useful to the Canaanites. The prophet Deborah and Barak composed and sang a song to commemorate this battle and the victory that God had given His people. Scripture References— Judges 4:17-22; 5:6, 24-27. Interpretation. But when danger encroaches, the tribes coalesce and a leader emerges to deal with the threat. villain. And they both chose to trust God rather than submit to fear. 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. This reminded me of … This battle was the beginning of the end for King Jabin as the Israelites continued in war with him until he was destroyed. Jael is one of those women of the Bible who we don’t get a lot of details or background on. Jael emerges from obscurity by this single deed, and by the kindest construction can hardly be said to have reached an enviable fame. By Pam Otten April 27, 2020 April 29th, 2020 No Comments. You may face what seem like insurmountable circumstances in your own life. Jael was a homemaker who was invaluable to winning the war. She disarmed him with her words of reassurance. 4:20]. milk. Even when we don’t feel skilled or equipped or prepared, He ensures that we are for the sake of His glory. We have compiled these articles to help you study those whom God chose to set before us as examples in His Word. Jael – the name means: “a wild or mountain goat.” (3, pg. It is crucial to read carefully and see exactly what the text says before attempting to understand it. She Is Called and We Are Called 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…, Jael saw Sisera and came out to meet him. Nelson's Complete Book of Bible Maps and Charts. Deborah called Jael “most blessed of tent-dwelling women” (5:24). Charles Spurgeon once gave a sermon where he compared Sisera to sin. Most scholars see Jael as a heroine, not a All these things can be summed up in two words: prioritize God. We need to prioritize His heavenly rules over our earthly religious rules, His voice over what we think is right. We don’t know if Jael originally intended to kill Sisera. Jael of the Old Testament is one of those women you glance over, not realizing how much of an impact she’s actually made on things until years later. Don’t get me wrong—Jesus never broke rules to be rude or needlessly provoke people. She had to ignore all the fear, all the “what-ifs.”. Still, for a meaning of the name Jael, both BDB Theological Dictionary and NOBSE Study Bible … 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, Photo Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain. This is made credible by the three-fold repetition She disarmed him with her words of reassurance. He is the one who gives life; he is the one who cancels our debts; he is the one who nails our sins to the cross once and for all. (Matthew 23), He touched lepers even though the rules of his day said that doing so would make him unclean. She used the resources given to her in this situation by God. A unique story of two women in the bible, Deborah and Joel, who lead and deliver Israel from their oppressors. But Jael, wife of Heber took a tent-peg, and took a hammer in her hand, and went softly to him and drove the peg into his temple, until it went into the ground – he was lying fast asleep from weariness – and he died. Bible Study Tools Online Lessons Peace & Happiness Marriage & Family Teenagers Children Faith in God History & the Bible ... Jael. We'll send you an email with steps on how to reset your password. Sisera was a great warrior, who generally All we know for sure, besides the account of her story, is that she was a Bedouin and the wife of Heber the Kenite. The lesson is on pages 67-70. All we know for sure, besides the account of her story, is that she was a Bedouin and the wife of Heber the Kenite. tent peg. Why shouldn’t he take refuge in the tent of a woman uninvolved in the war? The Life of Ruth - 5 Essential Faith Lessons, 3 Things You Didn’t Know About Mary (Mother of Jesus), California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. The Hanukkah Story. She knew who he was looking for and she led Jael did not kill Sisera out of personal anger or revenge. This is a good way to be sure you are observing the text carefully. Now, I met Jael through my studies in my first year of seminary, and I just loved her story. behalf). Jael is a woman who unconventionally, with a tent peg through a man’s skull, carries out God’s plan of deliverance for the nation. Judges 4:21-22 tells us this: “ But Jael the wife of Heber took a tent peg, and took a hammer in her hand. JAEL ja'-el (ya`el, "a wild or mountain goat," as in Ps 104:18; Iael): The wife of Heber the Kenite and the slayer of Sisera (Jdg 4:17-22; 5:2-31). Jael ’ s actions are surprising in view of her husband ’ s friendly relationships (Judg. Read Judges 4:1-24. McCann, J. Clinton. this expression references sexual abuse. But Jael the wife of Heber took a tent peg, and took a hammer in her hand. At the time a prophetess named Deborah was judge over Israel, and people went to her in matters of justice. See more ideas about sunday school crafts, bible crafts, sunday school lessons. 5:24–27 , or while he lay asleep, according to the prose account in Judg. used and abused women. The war wasn’t won by this one deed, but this was the beginning of the end of the Canaanites’ reign over Israel. Question: "Who was Jael in the Bible?" Ephesians 6:12 puts it like this: For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Introduction. Good Bible study skills begin with observation. Man, I’d forgotten all about her.” From that point, I came to realize how fragile is the memory and how many strong characters have slipped through her cracks. The Story of Jezebel in the Bible. Jael is a woman of action - she goes out to meet Sisera, initiates conversation with him, invites him into her tent, and covers him up. He was a powerful and cruel man who oppressed the Israelites for twenty years. The biggest battle we will fight in this life is the battle against sin. would be Jael. Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1974. (5:24). Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2002. Jael was in the right place at the right time and did what she knew she had to do. She defeated the man who had oppressed the Then in chapter 5, there is a song by Deborah and Barak, with a verse or two praising Jael for what she had done. the very work of God. Deborah and Jael I. Curdled milk, according to the quotations in Harmer, is still a favorite Arab beverage, and that this is the drink intended we infer from Judges 5, 25, as well as from the direct statement of Josephus (γάλα διεφθορὸς ἤδη, Ant. Jaels deeds are recounted in Judges 4 and in the poetic Song of Deborah in Judges 5. Not only that, she likely had extensive experience putting up tents with tent pegs and so she was skilled with this tool. Then Jael went out, and meeting Barak going after Sisera, said to him, Come, and I will let you see the man you are searching for. So he died. Jael features in the book of Judges as a heroic woman who killed Sisera, the leader of King Jabin’s Canaanite army. *this information came from "The NIV Study Bible", pg. Jael’s people were at peace with his. It goes on to say that Herber trusted Jael to act in his absence and she trusted him not to be angry or change her decision. Women of the bible study. duty. Jael could have easily been included in Hebrews chapter eleven, t… In the narrative about the military heroine Deborah, Jael kills Sisera, the Canaanite general of King Jabin, after he escapes from the battle with Deborahs general, Barak. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 100 Bible Verses about Jael Judges 4:21 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful But Jael the wife of Heber took a tent peg, and took a hammer in her hand. Sisera had lost his battle against Israel and was now looking for refuge and shelter. And eating and drinking are pretty small, insignificant things. JAEL. Recent Additions According to the biblical Book of Judges, Yael, sometimes spelled Jael, was the wife of Heber the Kenite. Oftentimes Jael showed Sisera great hospitality. When Deborah predicted Sisera would be sold When she didn’t see anyone chasing after him, maybe that is when the decision was made. Apr 28, 2015 - Explore Landa Simmons's board "Jael" on Pinterest. The Israelites are little more than a loose confederation of twelve tribes, however, living separate lives, more or less isolated from one another. Diamonds in the Word: Use your commentaries … Jael was a woman who understood this. Let’s follow His (and Jael’s) example and not get so caught up in following religious and cultural rules that we miss the calling of God to challenge the evil and oppression in the world. of the glory of victory. For years Jabin the king of Canaan had oppressed Israel. of hospitality, scholars suggest that Jael was The history of this event is clear. Jael was the wife of Heber who was a Kenite, the same ethnic group that Moses' father-in-law (Jethro) had been from (Judges 4:11). Jael Wife of Heber the Kenite (see Kenites ), an Arab chief in alliance with the Israelites. Jael's husband was a Kenite, a friend (ally) Deborah gave the Israelites victory against the iron chariots of Sisera; Jael put a tent peg through his skull. All rights reserved. Hebrew Names for Boys and Their Meanings. Who was Deborah? Prayer. God’s people, the Israelites, were being oppressed cruelly for 20 years by Sisera, the commander of … Answer: Jael in the Bible was the wife of a man named Heber, who was a Kenite. Today our battle isn’t against a person; it is against the powers of darkness. 1:15-21] and even the actions of God Himself [1 Kings 22:22-23, 2 These. Harris, J. Gordon. Biography of King David, Biblical Jewish Leader. God equips His people for the work He puts in front of them. herself and her household. What did she do? In her free time you’ll probably find her writing, lifting, or doting on her handsome cat. When we examine Bible stories of women in the Bible like Rahab, Jael, the Egyptian midwives [Ex. יעל The verb יעל (ya'al) means to profit, benefit or be of any (or much) practical use. Jael took great risks and most likely sealed her people’s allegiance to the tribe of Israel by her actions. He always did it for the sake of challenging relationally abusive behavior and freeing the oppressed. 1. "Joshua, Judges, and Ruth." 4:17) with the king of Hazor. God rewarded their faith with victory. Elijah's Cup and Miriam's Cup During Passover Seder . Categories: Women in the Old Testament. meet Sisera, initiates conversation with him, 100 Bible Verses about Jael. 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). Good Bible study skills begin with observation. In the prose account, Deborah first sends Barak to fight the Canaanites and then she agrees to accompany him. When the Canaanites were defeated by Barak, Sisera, the captain of Jabin's army, fled and sought refuge with the friendly tribe of Heber, beneath the oaks of … The wife of Heber the Kenite and slayer of Sisera, a Canaanite commander. It may not look the way we expect it to, and it can take a lot of trust to act when we don’t feel well-equipped. Jael, 10 Points for Bible Study -7/11/15 For our lesson of Jael, found in Judges 4-5 , and in our workbook, Women of the Bible, 52 Bible Studies for Individuals and Groups, by Jean E. Syswerda.