The most important work of the imminent war was the destruction of the man who plagued Israel and anyone else who did anything against Canaan and its soldiers. His name was known to all, for when Sisera was mentioned, everyone was frightened by the cruelty of his actions. He made the king of Canaan buy 900 iron chariots, the wheels of which displayed large knives that destroyed anyone who came near them (Judges 4.1-3).

           Sisera was determined to make his rule over Israel perpetual. As well as modern and destructive weapons for the time, he had a huge cavalry battalion with thousands of strong men, ready to annihilate his opponents. Every year, Sisera equipped himself with powerful weaponry and thus subdued any possibility of Israel striking back. There was nothing to stop him, unless the Israelites began to seek the Lord. And so they did!

           When Barak went up Mount Tabor, Sisera rejoiced, thinking that nothing would disturb him. The country had been reduced to a group of miserable, starving people. Now, with this "madman" called Barak, he would reduce the possibility that the God of Israel would deliver them. However, Sisera thought wrong: when the Lord enters a fight, it is decided in favor of the people who love Him. That adversary would be eliminated in a few days!

           When Barak hesitated in front of Deborah, insisting that he would only fight if she went with him, the judge accepted, but replied that the victory would not be his, but rather that of a woman, who never imagined being used by God, as Jael was (Judges 4.8,9). When Sisera realized that he could no longer win the war, because all his strength was destroyed, his soldiers killed, and nothing else could reverse the result, he fled in despair, being pursued by many.

           Jael was the wife of Heber the Kenite and was in her tent waiting for the good news. She saw a man approaching and asking for help: the wicked Sisera, of whom Jael felt no fear. The general asked for water, and she gave him milk. The man was thirsty and tired from running away from those who wanted to kill him. So, she took him into the tent and made him rest, and when the general slept, she struck him dead (Judges 4.17-21).

          Jael took a peg from the tent and a hammer from the workers. When Sisera fell into a deep sleep, she struck him on the temple with the peg and, with the other tool, drove it into the earth, where he died. This was the fulfillment of Deborah's word that the glory of the victory over the Canaanites would belong to a woman. Jael performed an act of bravery and emerged victorious. It doesn't matter who you are; you certainly don't need to take anyone's life, because our warfare is spiritual (Ephesians 6:12). You can be used by God!

           Never be hasty in any situation. Seek to know the Truth, the eternal Word of God recorded in the Bible, in order to understand God's plan for you and fulfill it. The heavenly Father has given you a lot to do, so never despair, but obey the Lord. Your mission is to speak of Christ's love!

           In Christ, with love,

           R. R. Soares