Making a Differencewith Pastor Phil Erickson

Dec 11th, 2012 Just for Ladies – by Camille Stahl

Today’s Passages – Ephesians 4 – 6; (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read –Psalms 51 – 55; Proverbs 11)

Memory passage for the month of November – Luke 1:26 – 38

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Isaiah 51:11

Read “7 Steps to Christmas Peace” by Pastor Paul Chappell

The Study of Women in the Bible

Jael, A Heathen Woman Used By God

There are many Bible people in the Bible that we know much about. Some people are the subject of Bible studies and may even have whole books or chapters written of them. Which ever, they all have lessons we can learn from them. There are other people mentioned in the Bible about whom we know very little. They may only be mentioned in passing or are found in one or two places in the Bible. Often these people are overlooked, yet they appear in our Bibles for a reason. II Timothy 3:16-17 tells us that everything in the Bible is from God and is for our learning.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:17 – 17)

In Judges Chapter 4, is the account of the Israelite rebellion after the death of the judge, Ehud. God allowed Jabin, king of Canaan to oppress Israel through Sisera, the king’s general. After twenty years, God allowed Deborah, a prophetess and judge, to lead with Barak an attack against the mighty Sisera. Barak was hesitant to follow God’s command to attack Sisera, and agreed to go if Deborah would go with him to battle. Because of no faith, Deborah prophesied that the victory, the death of Sisera, would be given to a woman instead of Barak. This prophecy was fulfilled by the hand of a woman named Jael.

Towards the end of the battle, Sisera knew that he was defeated, and fled to save his own life. He came to the tents of Heber the Kenite. Heber and his family were related by marriage to Moses (Numbers 10:29-32). When he arrived, Jael greeted Sisera and invited him into her tent. There she offered him a cover, a drink, and a place to rest. Sisera asked Jael to stand at the door and deny his presence to any who may inquire. While Sisera slept, Jael took a tent stake and hammer and killed Sisera by pounding the stake through his temple into the ground. Jael then went out to meet Barak who was pursuing Sisera and showed him the what she did.

What made Jael a murderer? We can only guess. We do know that through her God fulfilled Deborah’s prophecy that God would hand Sisera over to a woman.

You may wonder what lessons are learned through Jael? Murder? God forbid, but lets look at the bigger picture. We can be certain, God was and still is, in control of protecting His people.

Today we are influenced more by the world then by His word. We can see by the tragedies happening today that God is sending His warnings to us to turn back to Him. The world is trying to push God, more and more, out of our lives, and is winning the battle. Through the persecution, no matter how strange or dangerous, we can be sure God has not left us or forsaken us. As we obey Him, He may even use a Jael to bring blessings into our lives. Whenever we truly trust in Him, we are safe in His hands. Do you trust Him no matter what?

God used an unknown heathen woman, to protect Israel, and you can be sure that He will protect you too!

Thank You

1 John 5:13