She
put her hand to the tent peg, and her right hand to the workmen’s hammer. With the hammer she struck Sisera. She struck through his head. Yes, she pierced and struck through his temples.
Judges 5:26
Judges 5 [25.] He asked for water.
She gave him milk.
She brought him butter in a lordly dish.
She put her hand to the tent peg,
and her right hand to the workmen’s hammer.
With the hammer she struck Sisera.
She struck through his head.
Yes, she pierced and struck through his temples.
At her feet he bowed, he fell, he lay.
At her feet he bowed, he fell.
Where he bowed, there he fell down dead.
Meaning:
This verse is part of the Song of Deborah in the book of Judges, specifically a poetic retelling of the victory of Israel over the Canaanite commander Sisera. The verse highlights the courageous act of Jael, who took decisive action against Sisera, striking him down in a manner that would ensure Israel’s victory. To fully understand the significance of this verse, we need to explore its context, its meaning within the broader narrative, and its implications for us today.
The story of Jael and Sisera is found in Judges 4 and is retold poetically in Judges 5. Israel, under the leadership of Deborah the prophetess and Barak, was oppressed by King Jabin of Canaan. Sisera, Jabin’s commander, led a mighty army with 900 iron chariots, a formidable force at the time. Despite this, God promised victory to Israel. Deborah and Barak led the Israelites into battle, and God miraculously delivered Sisera’s army into their hands.
However, Sisera fled the battlefield on foot and sought refuge in the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite. Jael welcomed Sisera into her tent, gave him milk to drink, and offered him a place to rest. As Sisera slept, Jael took a tent peg and a hammer and drove the peg through his temple, killing him. Her act of courage and decisiveness led to the final victory over Israel’s oppressors.
Understanding the Verse
"She put her hand to the tent peg, and her right hand to the workmen’s hammer":
The imagery here is powerful. Jael, a woman, uses tools typically associated with men or laborers—tent pegs and a hammer. These were not weapons of war but everyday items used in the domestic sphere. This highlights the unexpected nature of Jael’s victory. It also underscores the theme that God can use anyone and anything to accomplish His purposes, regardless of societal expectations or norms.
"With the hammer she struck Sisera, she struck through his head":
Jael’s action was both bold and brutal. The emphasis on her striking Sisera through the head and temples indicates not only the finality of her action but also its effectiveness. In a time of war, this was a decisive move that ensured the enemy could no longer pose a threat. It also fulfilled Deborah’s prophecy that the honor of killing Sisera would not go to Barak but to a woman (Judges 4:9).
- The Significance of Jael’s Act:
Jael’s act of killing Sisera is significant for several reasons. Firstly, it demonstrates the theme of divine justice. Sisera, who had oppressed the Israelites for years, meets his end in the most unexpected of ways. Secondly, it highlights the role of women in God’s plan. Jael, like Deborah, is portrayed as a heroine, showing that God values and uses women just as He does men. Thirdly, it serves as a reminder that God’s deliverance often comes through unexpected means. Jael’s act of bravery led to the liberation of Israel from Canaanite oppression.
Lessons and Reflections
- The Role of Courage:
Jael’s courage is evident in this verse. She knew the risk involved in her actions, yet she chose to act decisively. Courage is not the absence of fear but the willingness to act in spite of it. In our own lives, we are often faced with situations that require courage—whether standing up for what is right, making difficult decisions, or stepping out in faith. Jael’s story encourages us to trust in God’s strength and guidance, knowing that He can use our actions, however small or seemingly insignificant, to bring about His purposes.
- God’s Use of the Unexpected:
Jael’s story is a powerful example of how God uses the unexpected to achieve His goals. The fact that a seemingly ordinary woman could defeat a mighty warrior like Sisera is a reminder that God’s ways are not our ways. He often works through people and circumstances that the world might overlook or underestimate. This should encourage us to never discount what God can do through us, regardless of our background, abilities, or the tools we have at our disposal.
- Divine Justice:
Sisera’s death at the hands of Jael is a sobering reminder of divine justice. Throughout the Bible, we see that God is just and will bring about justice in His own time and way. Sisera, who had brought much suffering to the Israelites, met his end in a way that was fittingly humiliating for a mighty warrior. This points to the ultimate justice of God, who will one day set all things right, rewarding the righteous and punishing the wicked.
Conclusion: Judges 5:26 is a verse that highlights a critical moment in Israel’s history, where a seemingly ordinary woman played an extraordinary role in God’s deliverance of His people. Jael’s act of bravery, her willingness to use the tools she had at hand, and her decisive action against Sisera all serve as powerful reminders of how God works through the unexpected. As we reflect on this verse, may we be inspired to act with courage in our own lives, trusting that God can use us, no matter how ordinary we may feel, to accomplish His extraordinary purposes.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible