A Lesson from Jael

The Israelites were fighting against Jabin, King  of Hazor, specifically against Sisera, the captain of the king's host. After "all the host of Sisera fell upon the edge of the sword" "Sisera fled away on his feet to the tent of Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite: for [there was] peace between Jabin the king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite." (Judges 4:16, 17). Judges 1:16 says, "And the children of the Kenite, Moses' father in law, went up out of the city of palm trees with the children of Judah into the wilderness of Judah, which [lieth] in the south of Arad; and they went and dwelt among the people." Heber, however, "had severed himself from the Kenites, and pitched his tent unto the plain of Zaanaim, which is by Kedesh." (Judges 4:11). It seemed, too, that he had made an alliance with the king of Hazor.

For the time being, Jael acted in accordance with this agreement, playing the part of the solicitous host. She entreated Sisera to come in and told him not to fear, covering her endangered ally with a concealing mantle, or rug. She even went so far as to give Sisera milk when he asked her for water (see vv. 18-19). Nevertheless, there was one request of Sisera's with she wouldn't comply.

"Again he said unto her, Stand in the door of the tent, and it shall be, when any man doth come and enquire of thee, and say, Is there any man here? that thou shalt say, No." (v. 20). The wife of Heber chose a drastically different course. "Then Jael Heber's wife took a nail of the tent, and took an hammer in her hand, and went softly unto him, and smote the nail into his temples, and fastened it into the ground: for he was fast asleep and weary. So he died." (v. 21).

Notwithstanding the "peace between Jabin the king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite," Jael was faithful to God and didn't suffer this enemy of His people to live. Yet, take note of what the next few verses say, particularly verse 23. "And, behold, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out to meet him, and said unto him, Come, and I will shew thee the man whom thou seekest. And when he came into her tent, behold, Sisera lay dead, and the nail was in his temples. So God subdued on that day Jabin the king of Canaan before the children of Israel." (vv. 22-23, emphasis added).

Even though Jael performed the act that subdued the king of Canaan, the Bible ascribes the glory of this victory to God. Think about it: who gave her the idea, and the brain to receive it? Who gave her the will and the strength to act upon it? She certainly didn't create it right then—it came from Someone other than herself. It's only fair that He alone should receive praise. Shouldn't we give glory to God also, then, for everything we accomplish, instead of to ourselves?

 

Blessings,

Jean