It was the time of the Judges. Israel had no king yet. After occupying the promised land, the people failed to cling to their God; they worshipped idols and did evil in the sight of the Lord. The promise of the land given to Abraham was conditional i.e., as long as his descendants remained faithful to the Lord, they would possess the land. In the event of these people turning away from Him, they will lose control of the land to their enemies.

When the people of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, He gave them into the hand of Jabin, the king of Canaan. Jabin mightily oppressed the Israelites for twenty years. People even feared walking on the highways. The villages lay uninhabited. There were not enough arms in Israel to rebel against Jabin nor were there enough warriors.

Satan had his seed in Sisera. Sisera was the commander-in-chief of Jabin’s army which had nine hundred iron chariots. He had been his flag-bearer and had been at the forefront of his military affairs. He had terrorized the people of Israel for long. The Serpent could now have direct control over the people and could easily trap the Seed of the Woman even at His birth.

God had his believing generation even amidst the unbelieving majority. Though few, they were the chosen ones in God’s purpose to execute His plan in the capacities they were called to perform. Barak was one. Deborah was another. And Jael was the third and the heroine of the moment.

Barak was a great warrior who could lead an army against an enemy. But he was not a great prime-mover nor was he confident about his capability and skill. Deborah, the Judge of Israel during that time of subjugation, saw in Barak what Barak didn’t see in himself – the mettle to subdue and route the powerful enemy. Above all, she was a God-fearing woman who trusted in the power of God to deliver His people from the hands of the oppressors.

Deborah summoned Barak and sent him with God’s command to wait for the enemy at a certain place with ten thousand foot soldiers. She said that the Lord would bring Sisera with his chariots and a huge army and that He would hand over the enemy to him. Barak was a bit apprehensive about the result. He said that he would not go unless Deborah came with him. Deborah the “iron lady” and “a mother of Israel” went with him
God was not one who would give up on the unbelief of a man. He had His trump card in Jael. She was a descendant of Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law. While her family had remained neutral to both sides in the face-off, she was on the Lord’s side. And she would get the accolades in the end.

The day of the confrontation arrived. God fought for His people. There was an earthquake and a downpour (and probably a hailstorm). The mountains melted. Volcanic eruption? A few tribal leaders lent their shoulders to the people of Naphtali and Zebulun. “Up”, said Deborah to Barak, “this is the day that the Lord will hand over Sisera into your hands”. And the LORD discomfited Sisera, and all his chariots, and all his host, with the edge of the sword before Barak; - Judges 4:15. There was not a man left except Sisera. He alighted from his chariot and fled on foot.

Sisera landed at the tent of Jael, who he considered friendly. Jael welcomed him in, sheltered him, and showed excellent hospitality – gave him milk when asked for water, fed him butter, and provided him safe cover too. Sisera requested her not to turn him in to anyone.

Jael turned hostile to Sisera – (and all the laws of peace were abrogated in the times of war –C E Schenk, ISBE, 1915). She took a nail of the tent and drove it into the temple of Sisera and fastened it into the ground with a hammer. When Barak came looking for Sisera, she brought Barak into the tent to show him his enemy and her guest, murdered.

God subdued Jabin the king of Canaan on that day and the hand of the children of Israel prospered. Subsequently, they destroyed Jabin and the land had rest for forty years.

The old serpent’s attempt to stop the lineage of the believing Israel mid-way failed one more time. God’s purpose was well on track and His plan was in excellent execution mode.