Deborah and Jael: A Contrast of Success
In the Holy Bible, we find several Biblical women of influence. Their testimonies are written to give us examples of how much worth women have in serving the Lord. Not only that, their testimonies can lead to the analysis of different ways we can all as women of God, be a positive influence in the many ways we can serve and glorify our Lord. We will focus on two of those exemplary women who prove a very interesting contrast of success.
Deborah the Over Achiever
In Judges chapter 4, verses 4 and 5, we find that Deborah was considered a very wise and well respected woman. Not only was she a wife (worked at home), but she was a prophetess (served in church ministry) , and a judge (she worked outside the home). Deborah was indeed a biblical woman of influence. She could be compared to a modern professional woman: one that cares for her family, home, is in church leadership, and works outside the home.
Deborah was quite an achiever and leader we can say. She is one that could be easily envied for all her achievement. A smart and hard working woman that despite of all her success, was loyal in serving the Lord, and gave credit to God for her successes. She was the one to lead her people to battle and to bring them out of it victorious. Pay close attention, as you read in chapter 4 of Judges, that she’s always placing God first.
Jael the Simple
On the other hand, we find in this story simple Jael. Jael lived in a tent and served her husband. We could compare her to a modern time house wife, whose job is to be fully committed to her husband and home. Joel’s husband, Heber, was on evil Sisera’s side against the Israelites. In Judges 4, and in Deborah’s long song of praise to God in chapter 5, we do not find any detail description of Jael. We only hear that she was a tent-dweller, a “house wife”. We could imagine though, that as any good ordinary tent-dwelling woman of her time, she kept up well with her house-wife “requirements”.
Nevertheless, she had her own opinion about Sisera and the war. She chose to be on the side of justice, ending the war by receiving the victory at the moment she quietly killed Sisera by hammering a tent peg through his temple into the ground. She utilized tools she had at her disposition, and simply brought war to an end. This fulfilled Deborah’s prophesy that the victory would be given to a woman. Let’s focus on her for a bit. Not much is said about her, only that she was a simple tent-dweller that used what she had to bring a big success to the victory of the Israelites. This very simple woman, with a big courage and ideas, did a huge thing!
What a contrast of success! Two deeply opposite women who brought glory to God with success where they were, being who God intended them to be at the right place and at the right moment! Two women, indirectly working together for the glory of God!
Deborah and Jael are both women of influence.
Many times, we feel insecure with who we are, our contributions to the world, and to God’s work. Sometimes we see those successful women, that seem to have it all worked out and with their talents they bring success when they work in church ministry. Yes, by the grace of God, they are amazing women of influence, but what about the house wife? What about the so called “simple Jaels”?
“Jaels” also have a big influence because they can serve the Lord greatly in their homes. They minister and serve their families well. They are an example to their children of how to serve simply, yet with love to the community. It is in those humble women that the work of service is more of an impact in the community.
We women need to stop perceiving ourselves as less and stop the comparison game among each other. Women can do great things together when we support each other. We all have unique talents, and God has placed us where we are, with the tools that we already have, whether complex or simple, to serve Him fully, with love, dedication, and joy, pleased and content for who we are, and the purpose He has given us, for “he will not forget our work and love we have shown him as we helped his people and continue to help them” (Hebrews 6:10).
Sisters, let’s commit our lives to serving with what we have. Let’s not wait to “be someone better suitable” for the job. We “can do all things through Christ, who strengthens us” (Philippians 4:13). Let’s be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all our heart and consider the great things he has done for us (1 Samuel 12:24).
As a mother and main educator of my children, I have an enormous responsibility and a duty to God, to do my best to raise well-rounded Christian children, who will love God, and who will get Him known.
I blog at www.homeschoolepiphany.com and it is my hope to encourage other busy working, homeschooling moms by sharing a wellspring of resources ranging from motivation to actual practical and simple educational resources.
- Deborah and Jael: A Contrast of Success - May 10, 2018
- Making Marriage Work with an Opposite Schedule - February 25, 2018
Respected leader or Tent dweller.
We all are created for purpose and we all have our individual as well as collective assignments to fulfil.
All we need to do is to be sensitive and act on given opportunities.
Comparison is such an ugly trap to fall into, especially nowadays with our curated lives all over social media. this is a great reminder that everyone has their own role to fill in their own way. Thanks for the read!
Yes! We need to focus on who God is and realize that He can work through us wherever we are.
A great reminder that God uses us for His glory right where we are! Tent-dweller or respected leader or anything in between! Thanks for sharing 🙂 Stopping by from #SaltandLightLinkUp
I agree, we need to get out of the comparison trap…it is so ingrained in us from an early age!