Daily Devotional

“Most blessed among women is Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite; blessed is she among women in tents” (Judges 5:24). 

They nicknamed her “Moses” because of the number of slaves she bravely led through the Underground Railroad. Harriet Tubman grew up in slavery. In 1849, she escaped to Philadelphia and then quickly returned to Maryland to rescue her family. Traveling at night and in secrecy, Tubman guided dozens of slaves to freedom. 

During the U.S. Civil War, Tubman worked for the Union Army as an armed scout and spy. Under her guidance she led a troop on a raid at Combahee Ferry, which liberated over seven hundred slaves. Tubman is a symbol of courage in American history. 

When Israel cried to the Lord for help, God raised up Deborah, a prophetess and judge. She called Barak to deploy troops against Sisera the commander of Jabin’s Canaanite army. Barak hesitated to go forward unless Deborah joined him. She agreed to go and said, “Nevertheless there will be no glory for you in the journey you are taking, for the Lord will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman” (Judges 4:9). He probably assumed that woman would be Deborah. 

At just the right time, Deborah gave the signal for Barak to attack Sisera’s forces. Apparently, a sudden storm caused their iron chariots to get stuck, so the soldiers fled. Sisera took off alone and headed north. Utterly exhausted after running for many miles, the enemy leader came to what he thought was a safe haven in Heber the Kenite’s tent. Heber’s wife, Jael, offered to give him a drink and hide him. When Sisera fell asleep, Jael killed him, finishing off the last of the Canaanite army. 

Jael is a symbol of courage in Bible history. She bravely exterminated a dangerous enemy of God’s people. Someday the Lord will rescue all His children from the slavery of sin. 

Dear God, I long for the day when Satan and all his forces will be wiped off the face of the earth.