“But Jael, Heber’s wife, picked up a tent peg and a hammer and went quietly to him while he lay fast asleep, exhausted. She drove the peg through his temple into the ground, and he died.”
Judges 4:21
Repeatedly the Israelites did evil in the sight of the Lord. But He always provided a way for His people to be rescued. And it was not unusual for Him to work out His providence through people who were least likely to be heroes.
For 20 years, the Israelites had fallen into the hands of Jabin, a cruel king of Canaan. They cried to the Lord for help, and He revealed a battle plan to Deborah, who was leading Israel. She told Barak, the army’s commander, to take 10,000 men to attack Sisera, Jabin’s commander. In the heat of the battle, Sisera abandoned his army of 900 iron chariots and fled on foot. He came to Heber’s tent and begged Jael to hide him. She agreed, but once he fell asleep, she looked around for a weapon. With no sword or dagger on hand, she used what she had: a tent peg and hammer.
The Lord emboldened Jael to overcome Sisera, the enemy leader, helping to ensure an Israelite victory. If she had missed, he would have awakened and killed her. But the Lord had her in His care, especially when things looked completely hopeless.
For 20 years, the Israelites had fallen into the hands of Jabin, a cruel king of Canaan. They cried to the Lord for help, and He revealed a battle plan to Deborah, who was leading Israel. She told Barak, the army’s commander, to take 10,000 men to attack Sisera, Jabin’s commander. In the heat of the battle, Sisera abandoned his army of 900 iron chariots and fled on foot. He came to Heber’s tent and begged Jael to hide him. She agreed, but once he fell asleep, she looked around for a weapon. With no sword or dagger on hand, she used what she had: a tent peg and hammer.
The Lord emboldened Jael to overcome Sisera, the enemy leader, helping to ensure an Israelite victory. If she had missed, he would have awakened and killed her. But the Lord had her in His care, especially when things looked completely hopeless.
Scripture Focus
Judges 4:17-24
Insight
The Lord will always provide the people and the means to carry out His will. May we be instruments in His hands to bring about peace.
Bible In A Year
- Genesis 12-13
- Psalm 6
- Matthew 10-11