By Mary Vee
Judges 4
Jael's Thoughts
This is part two of my story, click here to read part one.
My husband, Heber, had not returned from his business, yet. When I walked out back to stir our dinner, which busily bubbled over the fire, a servant came to me to report we had a visitor. I looked at the pot and felt good about making a little extra food this time.
I had been a traveler before and had received a meal and a place to sleep from kind strangers. Perhaps I could help someone in need. I wiped my hands and hurried to greet the visitor. To my surprise, Sisera, commander of the Canaanite army stood before me.
His eyes flashed like a scared hunted animal. I invited him into our tent for shade as was the custom. He cowered and whipped his head to the right and left as if looking for someone before entering the tent. Once inside our home he sighed and wiped the sweat from his forehead.
My husband had made a peace agreement with Jabin, the king of Canaan. Jabin captured the Israelites, tortured them and made them slaves. He and his commander, Sisera, bragged to my husband about what they had done. Heber didn't seem to mind. He made a peace agreement with king Jabin to spied on the Israelite's which allowed us to live on Jabin's land peaceably.
I didn't like the news king Jabin and Sisera told about the Israelite slaves. The Israelite's became family to us when their leader, Moses, married a daughter from our family.
Seeing Sisera afraid made me realize the power of Israelite God.
Sisera stumbled to one of our mats, laid down, and asked for something to drink. I brought him a drink and covered him with a blanket.
Sisera snored into a deep sleep.
While he rested, I cleaned my home. As I swept, I noticed an extra tent peg laying on the ground. I picked it up and had a idea come to me. I could help the Israelites!
I chose a hammer out of the pile of tools and tip toed back to the mat where Sisera slept. Slowly I knelt, placed the tent peg over his head, raised the hammer and hit the peg with all my strength.
Just like that, Sisera stopped snoring.
A moment later a servant called from outside the tent. "Another visitor. Barak, commander of the Israelite army is here."
I ran out to meet him and said, "Come. I will show you the man you're looking for."
He raised his sword to protect himself and followed me into the tent. Barak's eyes fell to the floor where Sisera lay. He gasped. "Just as Deborah the judge prophesied. Sisera has fallen to the hand of a woman."
Commander Barak called his men in to take Sisera away. He accepted a cup of water before leaving.
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1. Why did Sisera visit Jael and her husband?
2. Why didn't Jael like Sisera?
3. Jael's husband made a ____________ agreement with Jabin, king of Canaan.
4. What did the king of Jabin do to the Israelites?
5. Why did this bother Jael?
6. What did Jael do?
If you missed part one of the story, be sure to go back and read it to find clues to today's answers. for part one, click here
By Mary Vee
Judges 4
Jael's Thoughts
I had most of my chores done for the day. Supper had nearly finished cooking over a fire outside. I expected Heber, my husband to come home soon.
We'd moved to the land of Canaan not long ago. Heber got into some fight with his family, the Kenites, and decided we should leave. I missed my family, but knew I would find new friends.
Jabin, king of Canaan didn't seem to mind us living in his land. Heber spoke with him a few times, helped with a few things, and made a peace agreement. We found the land good for crops and pastureland.
I heard Jabin captured the Israelites and made them slaves. This bothered me. I mean, we're family. Their great leader, Moses, married a daughter from one of our Kenite families. I'd seen Jabin's taskmasters beat and scream at the Israelites. It broke my heart.
One of our servants came to me late this morning, "Mistress, the Israelites waged war against Jabin's commander, Sisera and his army this morning."
I gasped. "They did what? Oh, dear, the Lord be with them."
Later another servant delivered an update. "The Lord has fought for the Israelites. They're winning the battle."
"Wonderful news!" My heart flittered. I couldn't help but think about the battle. If king Jabin and his task masters had been kind to the Israelites maybe the battle wouldn't have been important to me. But he wasn't kind.
I finished preparing the meal then did a few more chores. A servant came to me again. "Mistress, Sisera, the commander for king Jabin wishes to speak with you. He's over there."
I went out to meet him. Sweat poured down his face caking dirt to his skin. His garment had tears and he bled from scrapes. He smacked his lips as if in need of water. "Jael, I need to rest."
I bowed to him. "Come. I'll give you drink. Don't be afraid."
Sisera followed me into the tent. He fell onto the mat completely exhausted. I grabbed a blanket and draped it over him. He forced his eyes to open. "Please give me some water to drink."
I reached for a jug of milk. "I have something better. It will refresh your thirst and give you strength."
He drank as a man dying of thirst then said, "Stand at the door and if anyone comes and asks if a man is in here, say, 'No."'
I didn't say anything. I put the jug away and finished cleaning as quietly as possible.
His eyes closed moments later. Soon he snored.
I looked at him.This evil man tortured distant family members, the Israelites. He bragged about his strength and power over them. And now, he expected me to hide him in my tent?
I thought for a little while. Then a strange idea came to me.....
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Come read what happens next time.
1. Why did Jael and her husband move to Canaan?
2. Who was king?
3. This king captured the ________________ and made them slaves.
4. His commander, ___________ tortured the slaves.
5. God helped the Israelites conquer _______________ army, but ______________ escaped.
6. ______________ wanted to hide in ___________ tent.
7. She gave him _____________ to drink.
8. What did he ask her to do?
9. What do you think her strange idea is?
By Mary Vee
Judges 4
Deborah's Thoughts
For twenty years Commander Sisera pounded the Israelites with orders, demands, heavy punishments. That man simply was out of control.
King Jabin, our captor, appointed Sisera as commander and gave him permission to do whatever he wanted to us. Sisera stole our food, took our belongings, and tortured us in the name of the king. We were hungry, tired, and cranky. I had had enough.
The Lord made me judge over Israel during this time. He told me how to help the Israelites and He gave instructions to His people through me.
Recently, He gave orders to prepare for battle against Sisera's army. After twenty years of suffering, I couldn't wait to deliver a call for battle. The Lord chose Commander Barak from the tribe of Naphtali to lead.
Barak didn't think he could do the job. After a long conversation, Barak agreed to command our troops, if and only if I went along. He completed his military preparations then waited for a go signal from God.
A day later, the Lord said to me, "Heber the Kenite is angry with his family. He moved his wife, children, and possessions to Canaan and made peace with King Jabin. To earn money and favor with the king, Heber has spied on you Israelites. He saw Barak prepare his army for battle and reported the information to Commander Sisera. Hurry. Go to battle at once. Sisera has gathered nine hundred chariots of iron and called his army to attack Barak."
A Kenite tattled on us?
The father-in-law of Moses belonged to the Kenite family. We were family. How could Heber do such a wicked thing? Did money and favors with a king, especially a rotten king like Jabin, mean that much to him?
I didn't waste any time. We had to go to battle immediately. I met with Barak right away. "Hurry! This is the day the Lord will help you conquer Sisera. God already started His work."
Barak signaled the troops to battle. Within a flash the men gathered together with their weapons in hand. He turned to me and waited. When I caught up to him, he led the army down the mountain path to the valley.
Heber may have been a sneaky-spy and a tattletale, but his evil plan won't stand against the Israelites. No siree. God promised a victory. He will conquer Sisera and his iron chariots.
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Next week-the battle
1. Who was the commander against the Israelites?
2. How did he know the Israelites wanted to attack?
3. Who is Heber?
4. Why did he move to Canaan?
5. Why did he help King Jabin and his commander, Sisera?
6. How did the Israelites find out Heber tattled?
7. What did Deborah do as soon as she heard the news?
8. Who do you think will win?
9. What did you learn from this story?
