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The women warriors
I have always been fascinated by stories of brave women. In Indian history, there is a story about a queen who fought with her enemies to save her young son -the prince and the kingdom. St Joan of Arc is an inspiration, a young girl who is the patron saint of France. She is honoured as the defender of the French nation. Closer to our times, we have witnessed several women who went against the tide and dared to be strong, to be different and to stand steadfast. The Bible tells us of men who were warriors who fought for their land. It is easy to count such men who were leaders, warriors and judges of their time. Contrast it to women, and we could just name a few – Esther, Judith and then we’d struggle. However, this chapter shows us two such women who may not have been famous enough to have Bible books named after them, yet God worked in their lives and through them saved his people.
After Judge Ehud died, the Israelites again started to do evil in God’s sight. So, the Lord allowed Jabin, the king of Canaan to reign over them. He made their lives miserable and oppressed them for cruelly for twenty years. Then the people of Israel cried out to the Lord for help and in comes our woman warrior Deborah.
The book of Judges Chapter 4 describes Deborah as a prophetess, a powerful woman, one who was full of wisdom and people would come to her for judgement (v5). Deborah was also a wife and a mother. In modern days, we can compare her to a working woman who would balance their home and work. Deborah had so much influence in Israel, that she just ordered Barak and he came. Deborah tells Barak that God has commanded him to take 10000 men and meet Jabin’s commander Sisera and God assured Barak through Deborah that he would be victorious. Yet we see Barak’s lack of faith in God and he asks Deborah to accompany him. Deborah replies in Judges 4:9 that she will go with him, but because of the way he has responded, she says, “The honour will not be yours, for the LORD will hand Sisera over to a woman.” A woman will be the one to deliver Israel and to give them peace and rest. Deborah – the prophetess and the mother now takes on a military role as she accompanies Barak into the battle.
When Sisera hears that Barak has come against him in battle, he goes out to meet him. Seeing the opportunity, Deborah instructs Barak to attack, and he does. However, the word says, “and the Lord routed Sisera and all his chariots and all his army before Barak by the edge of the sword,” ( Judges 4:15). “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still,” (Ex 14:14). Barak had only to obey, and the Lord fought the battle for him. But the Lord did not give him the glory of victory due to his lack of faith. Sisera had 900 chariots and was the commander of the army, yet the Lord gave the Israelites victory and Sisera abandons his army and tries to escape.
Sisera escapes to the tent of his friend Heber, whose wife Jael is in the tent. Sisera knew Jael and thought she would hide him. Not much is said about Jael except that she lived in a tent, as a housewife. Like housewives in modern times, she knew her homely responsibilities and managed her home well. She may have heard about the war from her husband. Jael hides Sisera under some rugs. Being exhausted from battle, Sisera falls asleep. But before he can fall asleep, he asks Jael for water, and she gives him milk instead. She shows him hospitality, but when Sisera falls asleep, Jael takes a peg and hammers it down Sisera’s temple. She uses the tools at her disposal to bring down the proud man and also an end to war. Deborah’s prophecy of Sisera being killed by a woman comes true.
Chapter 5 of Judges describes Deborah and Barak’s praise of God.
“Most blessed of women be Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, most blessed of tent-dwelling women. He asked for water, and she gave him milk; in a bowl fit for nobles, she brought him curdled milk. Her hand reached for the tent peg, her right hand for the workman’s hammer. She struck Sisera, she crushed his head, she shattered and pierced his temple. At her feet he sank, he fell; there he lay. At her feet he sank, he fell; where he sank, there he fell—dead,” (Judges 5:24-27).
Jael is called the most blessed among the tent-dwelling women for her role in killing a wicked commander. As God’s instrument, she delivers Israel and fulfils the purpose God has for her. Two women bring victory to Israel because they allow God to use them. As women like Deborah and Jael, we need to be willing to step into the roles he has called us and to use the gifts he has given us. We must have faith in God and trust in him to deliver us, from whatever our situation may be.
Lessons from Deborah and Jael
Proofread and edited by Fr Austin Fernandes SDB