A Jug of Milk, A Hammer, and A Tent Peg

The Old Testament book of Judges contains many of the lesser known heroes of the Bible. Three of these can be found in a single extended story contained in the fourth and fifth chapters of the book of Judges. It is one of the Biblical stories where women save the day while the men lag behind in doubt.

The story opens with Deborah. She is identified as a prophetess (4:4) and judge, in that she held court under a palm tree (4:5), for the people of Israel. Being judge meant that she would settle disputes between people. She, probably much like Moses did, heard only the most complex cases, leaving the simpler ones to be decided by judges over certain sections of the people.

In her role as leader she sent for Barak and instructed him, “The LORD, the God of Israel, commands you: ‘Go, take with you 10,000 men. . . I will lure Sisera. . . and give him into your hands.’”

Sisera was the commander of the armies of Jabin, a king of Canaan. The army was well equipped and formidable with over 900 iron chariots. The Israelites, a non-professional fighting force, had zero! This makes it fairly easy to understand when Barak spoke to Deborah and said, “If you go with me, I will go; but if you don’t go with me, I won’t go.” In other words, “Forget the command of God. I only trust people who are willing to stick there neck out, who are willing to back up the words with actions!” Deborah went. 

The Bible tells us “The Lord routed Sisera and all his chariots and army by the sword, and Sisera abandoned his chariot and fled on foot.” Enter the next heroine of the story, Jael.

Sisera was scared for his life. He came to Jael’s tent and asked he to hide him. She became the instrument of God to defeat the enemies of Israel. She said, “Come right in. Don’t be afraid.” (4:18). Sisera, be afraid, be very afraid! It says she gave him a drink and covered him up so no one would see him. It was while Sisera was feeling all safe and secure in his secret hiding place that Jael “picked up a tent peg and a hammer and went quietly to him while he lay fast asleep. She drove the peg through his temple into the ground and he died.” One version says, “she struck once and did not need to strike again!” Yes, Sisera, be afraid. Be very afraid! God works, sometimes through the commander of the armies and sometimes through a woman with a jug of milk, a hammer, and a tent peg!

Pastor Craig