IMITATE THEIR FAITH/DEBORAH

"MOST BLESSED OF WOMEN"

One of the Canaanite enemies escaped-the worst of them all! Sisera, the great oppressor of God's people, fled the battlefield on foot. Leaving his men t o die in the mire, he slipped past  the Israelite soldiers and made his way to firmer ground, heading toward the nearest allies he could think of. Scurrying across miles of open terrain, ever terrified that Israelite soldiers might might find him, he headed to the tents of Heber, a Kenite who had broken away from the rest of the nomadic people to the south and established some kind of accord with King Jabin.-Judges 4:11, 17. 

Exhausted, Sisera arrived at Heber's encampment. He found that Heber was not at home.  But the man's wife, Jael, was there. Sisera evidently assumed that Jael would honor her husband's accord with King Jabin. Perhaps it was  inconceivable to him that a woman could act or even think differently from her husband.  Sisera obviously did not know Jael!  Clearly, she saw that she had a choice before her. Either she could aid this wicked man or she could throw in her lot with Jehovah and strike a blow against this enemy of her people.  But what could she do?  How could a woman vanquish such a powerful battle-hardened warrior?

Jael had to think fast.  She offered Sisera a place to rest. He ordered her to conceal his presence from any man who might come looking for him.  She covered him when he lay down, and when he asked her for water, she gave him creamy milk. Soon Sisera went into a deep sleep. Jael then took a pair of household implements that tent-dwelling women used often and skillfully=a ten pin and a mallet.  Crouching near Sisera's head, she now faced the terrifying task of acting as an executioner for Jehovah. Even an instant of uncertainty or hesitation could have meant disaster.  Did she think of God's people and of how this man had brutalized them for decades?  Or did she think of the privilege of taking her stand for Jehovah?  The record does not say.  We know only that the deed was soon done. Sisera was dead! -Judges 4:18-21; 5:4-27. 

Later, Barak came in search of his quarry. When Jael showed  him the corpse with the ten pin through the temples, he knew that Deborah's prophecy had come true!  A woman had killed the mighty warrior Sisera! Modern-day critics and skeptics have called Jael all manner of vile names, but Barak and Deborah knew better. In their song, they were inspired to praise Jael as "most blessed of women" for her courageous deed.  (Judges 4:22; 5:24) Note the generosity of Deborah's spirit.  She did not begrudge Jael such praise; rather, she cared only that Jehovah's word  had come true. 

With Sisera gone, King Jabin's power was broken. The Canaanite oppression was over at last. Peace prevailed for 40 years.  (Judges 4:24; 5:31)  How blessed were Deborah, Barak, and Jael for putting faith in Jehovah God! If we imitate  the faith of Deborah, boldly taking our stand for Jehovah and encouraging others to do the same, Jehovah will bless us with victories-and lasting peace. 

Next time: Who are Jehovah's Witnesses?

From the Watchtower magazine, 2015