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“Because of the way you are going about this, the honor will not be yours, for the LORD will hand Sisera over to a woman” (Judg. 4:9b, NIV).
Feminism has plagued church and society for decades. It has encouraged abortion, homosexuality, divorce, and excessive singleness. As a consequence, one of the great needs in the church and in society today is a recovery of Biblical womanhood.
Despite all the chaos of the days of the Judges, some healthy insights are provided for defining true, Biblical womanhood. So consider three women depicted in a single narrative of the book of Judges. Consider the Canaanite mother of Sisera, consider Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite, and consider Deborah the judge in Israel.
The Canaanite mother of Sisera stands at her window and looks through the lattice (Judg. 5:28). Sisera’s mother has ladies-in-waiting who serve her (Judg. 5:29). By the standards of the day, she is living in luxury.
Sisera’s mother seeks to console herself when her son is delayed in returning from battle with Israel. He must be collecting great spoils of war, “a girl or two,” or a colorfully embroidered garment for his mother (Judg. 5:30).
This mother thinks of women as nothing more than the spoils of war. She treasures much more the luscious garments that she hopes will be brought to her by her victorious son. That’s the mother of this world, full of herself, full of ambition for her son, full of an insatiable desire for material things.
Second, consider Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite. This “mother in Israel” (Judg. 5:7) is of a wholly different character. She is described as the “ ‘most blessed of tent-dwelling women’ ” (Judg. 5:24, NIV). There is nothing luxurious about the way Jael lives. She is accustomed to simplicity. Her concern is not with herself. Instead, her commitment is to find a way for God’s people to be delivered from their oppression. Her simple life speaks of consistent self-denial.
This true mother in Israel also shows her wisdom in the way she handles God’s enemies. Jael takes the initiative by coming out of her tent to meet the fleeing Sisera. Then she makes her disarming offer. “Come in,” she says.
“I’m thirsty,” says the defeated captain of the Canaanite armies. “Please give me some water.”
Jael, however, gives him not water but milk. Nice, warm, creamy milk. “ ‘In a bowl fit for nobles she brought him curdled milk’ ” (Judg. 5:25). The soporific liquid takes effect, and mighty General Sisera soon is sleeping like a baby.
Then, “ ‘Her hand reached for the tent peg, her right hand for the workman’s hammer. She struck Sisera, she crushed his head, she shattered and pierced his temple. At her feet he sank, he fell; there he lay. At her feet he sank, he fell; where he sank, there he fell—dead’ ” (Judg. 5:26–27).
Now there’s a real mother in Israel! Bold, courageous, decisive. Without hesitation, she drives the peg through his temple.
Are there mothers in Israel today? Are there women who have no interest in luxurious living, women who have a heartfelt concern for the sufferings, the oppression of God’s people, women who will not shrink back from risking their lives to maintain the truth of God’s Word? May the Lord raise up women like Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite.
Finally, consider Deborah. She is neither a preacher nor an elder in Israel. One portion of Scripture will not contradict another, and it is forbidden for a woman to exercise authority over a man (1 Tim. 2:12). This principle has been in operation since Creation, it was operative in the days of the judges, and it continues today. However, Deborah is a judge, an officer in the political state of Israel. In that legitimate capacity, she functions as a leader among God’s people.
Deborah makes herself aware of the lowly condition of God’s people. She notes that roads were abandoned and travelers had to follow footpaths to arrive at their destinations (Judg. 5:6). She notes that not a shield or spear could be found among forty thousand in Israel, so that the people had no way to defend themselves (Judg. 5:8). She suffers alongside her people for 20 years (Judg. 4:3).
But then Deborah takes the initiative in calling for volunteers. She recognizes leadership qualities in Barak despite the fact that he is from the lesser-known tribe of Naphtali. She challenges him to lead God’s people.
At the same time, she boldly rebukes the comfortable and the cowardly. Why is Reuben staying at home in front of his cozy campfire? She shames the people of Gilead for staying safely beyond the Jordan (Judg. 5:17). She exposes the covetousness of Dan and Asher, who keep close to their merchant ships (Judg. 5:17). She openly heaps disgrace on the cowardly and comfortable.
Deborah also rightly honors the faithful. The men of Zebulun risk their lives for the cause. The warriors of Naphtali stand firm on the heights of the field (Judg. 5:18). As a consequence, the Lord gives them a great victory.
There is a healthy alternative to feminism. This will not be found among women who are captured by materialism, as was the mother of Sisera. But it will be found in the strength, the faith, and the courage of women like Jael and Deborah. May the Lord be gracious in raising up true “mothers in Israel” for today.