Who was Jael in the Bible?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Jael, a woman from the Old Testament, played a crucial role in helping the Israelites defeat their oppressor, Jabin the Canaanite king, by killing his army commander, Sisera. Her courageous initiative, using resourcefulness and seizing opportunities, teaches us to act boldly for what is right. Despite facing unexpected circumstances, Jael didn't hesitate to confront challenges head-on. Her story highlights the importance of trusting in God's guidance and standing against injustice. Jael's example inspires us to be proactive, courageous, and steadfast in our efforts to make a difference in our communities and overcome obstacles in our lives.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Jael was a woman in the Bible who helped the Israelites subdue Jabin the Canaanite king by single-handedly killing the commander of his army, Sisera. Her story is found in Judges 4:17–24.
• At that time, Deborah was the ruling judge in Israel. She commanded Barak to fight against Jabin's army in the Valley of Jezreel along the Kishon River. He refused to go unless Deborah accompanied him. Deborah agreed to go but told Barak that "the road on which you are going will not lead to your glory" (Judges 4:9). She elaborated, saying that Barak would not have the honor of killing Sisera; instead, a woman would be given that honor.
• Deborah and Barak's army of 10,000 men defeated Jabin's army soundly, but Jabin's commander, Sisera, escaped and fled on foot. Jael, the wife of the Kenite man Heber, went out to meet Sisera and invited him into her tent. Because her husband was an ally to King Jabin, Sisera believed Jael's tent would be a safe hiding place. He asked for water, but she gave him milk and covered him with a warm rug. He sent her to guard the entrance to the tent and then fell asleep.
• Jael took a tent peg and hammer in her hand and snuck up, going "softly to him" (Judges 4:21). She then "drove the peg into his temple until it went down into the ground while he was lying fast asleep from weariness. So he died" (Judges 4:21). Thus, Deborah's prophecy that "the LORD will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman" came true (Judges 4:9). When Jael saw Barak pursuing Sisera, she went out to him and brought him to see the dead commander (Judges 4:22).
• After relaying the actions of Jael, Scripture records, "So on that day God subdued Jabin the king of Canaan before the people of Israel" (Judges 4:23). God's plan had been to bring Israel victory, and the leadership of Deborah and the actions of Jael were crucial components of the plan. Two women were instrumental in bringing about the forty years of peace that Israel then enjoyed (Judges 5:31).
• Jael's contribution is memorialized in the Song of Deborah and Barak in Judges 5. The portion referring to Jael says:
• "Most blessed of women be Jael,
• the wife of Heber the Kenite,
• of tent-dwelling women most blessed.
• He asked for water and she gave him milk;
• she brought him curds in a noble's bowl.
• She sent her hand to the tent peg
• and her right hand to the workmen's mallet;
• she struck Sisera;
• she crushed his head;
• she shattered and pierced his temple.
• Between her feet
• he sank, he fell, he lay still;
• between her feet
• he sank, he fell;
• where he sank,
• there he fell—dead" (Judges 5:24–27).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Jael is not mentioned in the New Testament.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

From Jael's life we learn the importance of courageous initiative and resourcefulness. When presented with an opportunity to deliver her people from oppression, Jael didn't hesitate but took bold action, using the resources at her disposal. Her courageous initiative teaches us to seize opportunities for the sake of what is right and for the good of others, even if they come unexpectedly, and to act with bravery in the face of challenges. Jael's resourcefulness reminds us to make the most of what we have and not wait for ideal circumstances. Additionally, Jael’s life calls us to trust in God's guidance and stand against injustice. Jael's example inspires us to be proactive, courageous, and steadfast in our efforts to make a difference and overcome obstacles in our own lives and communities.

UNDERSTAND

• Jael killed the commander of Jabin's army by driving a tent peg through his temple while he slept.
• Despite her husband's alliance with Jabin, Jael deceived Sisera and took decisive action against him.
• Jael's actions were instrumental in Israel's victory over their oppressors, fulfilling prophecy and bringing peace for forty years.

REFLECT

• How does Jael's story challenge your understanding of courage and resourcefulness in relation to faith and trust in God?
• Reflecting on Jael's actions, what opportunities do you think you might have overlooked in your own life to make a positive impact?
• In what ways can you apply Jael's example of trusting in God's guidance and standing against injustice in your life today?

ENGAGE

• How can we emulate Jael's courage, trust in God, and resourcefulness in our daily lives to respond to our current circumstances?
• How can Jael's story challenge our perceptions of who or what can make a significant impact in times of crisis or conflict?
• Considering Jael's pivotal role in Israel's history, how might her story inspire us to identify opportunities for positive change in our communities and to take decisive action?