Famous Women in the Bible

Howbeit Sisera fled away on his feet to the tent of Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite….

Judges 4:17

Peace symbolizes an intangible tranquility of calmness and serenity. Yet, how can one find peace   Deborah, a prophetess and judge for Israel, rallied the troops to attack General Sisera and his army of iron chariots. Whereas, Jael served as the executioner. Under the leadership of Deborah, Barak led the troops to Mount Tabor to prepare for battle. In the meantime, Heber the Kenite informed General Sisera the location of Israel army; however, unbeknownst to General Sisera, his 900 iron chariots, was about to face God in an army of 10,000 Israelites. As Israel army descended off Mount Tabor under a surprised ambush which lead to a ferocious encounter, the narrative in Judges 4:15 relates it as “the Lord discomfited Sisera.” This phase meant that Sisera became disoriented and ran away speedily. After much running, he found his de facto ally at the house of Heber.  Hint, Heber is a descendant of Moses’ father-in-law. Yet, Heber’s wife, Jael, became the focal point to climax this victory for God. I believe if we interviewed Jael about her encounter with General Sisera, her story will unfold as follows:
when sinful behavior ranges in one’s life? In Book of Judges one will find individuals who allow sin to disrupt their lives, and then they will cry out for God to restore peace. One particular passage in Judges (chapters 4-5) demonstrates how God used two women (Jael and Deborah) to defeat Israel’s enemy and restore peace.

I am that woman of whom Deborah prophesied that Sisera would be handed over to a woman. General Sierra was an enemy of Israel. He served as commander of the Canaanite army which consisted of 900 iron chariots. He had a bad reputation; he was a zealous oppressor toward the Israelite for 20 years. Remember, my ancestor, Zipporah was united with Moses, the deliverer of Israel from Egypt. Amazingly, the Scripture does not portray me as one of the bad girls. Yet, Deborah’s song of praise pictured me as a heroine. Yes, my action was gruesome and shocking, but I was only doing what Yahweh commissioned, the God of Israel wanted to deliver His people again from another oppressor, King Hazor. I recalled the story like this.

General Sierra came to my husband’s camp looking for refuge, a safe haven to hide since his 900 chariots were no longer a threat among my kinsmen. For my understanding, his army had suffered a brutal defeat just below Mount Tabor. There, I was standing in the doorway of the tent welcoming him to come and rest from running. He entered the tent tired and thirsty. He asked for water, but I graciously went above the usual hospitality and gave him warm milk instead.  I prepared a pallet for him to rest comfortably. Like any tired soldier, he went to sleep. At that moment when he was defenseless, I felt a passion for my ancestor, Zipporah and knew that I must end this torment for her people. So I grabbed a tent peg in my left hand and mallet in my right hand. I placed that peg right into his temple and drove it into his skull by hammering repeatedly. I nailed that peg so deep that it touched the ground through his skull. Little did I know that his life would end the same day that Deborah, the prophetess, prophesied! 

Please know that I am a woman of honor, make no mistakes about it. I am not the one that you can mess over especially my kindred. Yet, I am gentle, giving, fervent in spirit, and some even call me “most blessed of women.” I do have a mind of my own, though. Just like the Savior’s mother, Mary, we are the only two women in the Scripture with this description, “blessed above women.” Like Mary, I too became a willing vessel that Yahweh used to accomplish His deliverance for His people. Even though, my action was brutal and furious; I am genuine in character despite my method of redemption for God’s people.

I want you to remember these key points from this episode:

1)     God can use anyone, even the average woman

2)     Become fearless and break traditions

3)     Use the tools right by your disposal

4)     God’s time is now

5)     Act on the opportunities

6)     Allow God to use you

Safety and trust only occur when you find yourself in God’s hand.  Because of Jael’s lion-hearty act, Israel experienced 40 years of peace. Likewise, when you obey and trust God, you too can become a blessed woman of God while experiencing peace.  

By Debra Baker

My Wife

Check out the song mentioned in Judge 5 about these two characters by Rev P Under the Influence:

Deborah, my favorite Biblical woman

And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go.

Judges 4:8

Deborah the wife of Lappidoth was a wise and courageous judge of Israel. She was known for her wisdom. She was the only woman of the Bible who gained renown on her own merit, instead of her relationship to a man. Deborah’s vision was shaped by her relationship in GOD. Like the patriarch of Israel, one must hear GOD and believe GOD, then that person will acquire the courage to overcome oppression. Likewise, Deborah demonstrated these qualities and became a remarkable judge and a prophetess. Her courage aroused the people and led them in a victory procession of peace. Later, she even described herself as a “mother in Israel.” 



Having received instruction from God, Deborah summoned an Israelite warrior named Barak. Barak was Deborah’s protégé, her second in command and his name means lightening, Yet, Barak would not strike until he was ignited by Deborah’s power. Barak’s response when ordered by Deborah into battle demonstrates his discomfort. Notice “if you will go with me, I will go; if not I will not go.” (Judges 4:8) So Deborah agreed to enter the battle with the troops by his side. Although, she informed Barak, “However, there will be no glory for you in the course you are taking, because the Lord will deliver Sisera into the hands of a woman.” (Judges 4:9) Deborah joined the troops in battle,  led Israel out of idolatry, and restored their dignity as God chosen people.

Barak had hesitated faith. For instance, in response to God’s command, he said, “I’ll obey if…” Yet, Deborah did not abandon Barak for his hesitated faith. Rather, she accompanied him and gave him the strength to accomplish God’s purpose. 

Finally, this Bible story provides us a great example of a man and woman partnering as they obeyed the command of God. Their outcome enabled the Israelite warriors to win the battle! All the troops of Sisera fell by their sword; not a man was left. Deborah’s courage and wisdom in calling up an army to break Hazor’s control gave the Israelites 40 years of peace. Deborah’s peace and confidence as a leader stemmed in part from her ability to hear God clearly.

Deborah's undertaking makes her my favorite and reminds me the following lesson learned:

1) Trust in God’s Word

2) Be of good courage

3) Wise leaders surround themselves with the right people

4) We must be concern about people, not just our success

5) Acknowledged that all the glory belongs to God

By Gwendolyn Player

(My Consin)

Ruth Journey of Love

And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:                                                         Ruth 1:16

Photo by Cosmic Timetraveler on Unsplash

These words are often quoted in special ceremonies as a display of love. Yet, it came from a Moabite woman instead of a profound patriotic like Moses or David. Notice the satire because the Moabites were enemies of the Israelites. Although, one can easily trace their origin to Lot, Abraham's nephew; yet, they eventually became enemies. For instance, when the Israelites left Egypt, King Balak (Moabite) wanted the prophet, Balaam to curse the Israelites. Instead of cursing, Balaam blessed them. Ironically, this Scripture setting occurs during the period of the Judges of which every Israelite acted within his or her self-interest (Judges 21:25). So God used a Moabite to demonstrate the meaning of selfless love and placed Ruth in the lineage of the Savior.


Oftentimes, I hear many of my single colleague state that “I am waiting for my Boaz.” However, even before Boaz entered the picture, Ruth’s words alone exhibits love that was so devoted that she willingly forsake all to comfort someone else. For such a display of love to unfold, I tend to think it originates from reciprocity which creates a mutual dependency instead of a selfish intent. In other words, love must become equally shared between two individuals.  Before Ruth said these words, she experienced the same love from Naomi. For instance, Naomi’s demonstration of love to her two daughter-in-laws actually caused them to follow her back to Bethlehem. Repeatedly, we tend to demonstrate love conditionally as determine by the value or the usefulness of what you will receive. For example, how many times have you heard, "if you love me you will do this or that," or after something negative occurs someone will say, "I thought you loved me?" These examples demonstrate the profit of love accordingly to the expected outcome without valuing the worthiness of the giver.  Yet, Ruth's words focus on the receiver while removing any selfish benefits.


First, Ruth pleas with Naomi to accompany her even after repeated discouragement from Naomi.  Secondly, Ruth places emphasis on the journey, despite the distance, “I am going with you.” Thirdly, Ruth noted the importance of sustainment by stating the requirement for lodging. Thus, the significance of lodging enables one to acquire shelter from the natural elements including predators. Mainly, Ruth commits to the natural realm; and then she implies her willingness to join Naomi on her spiritual return to her culture. "Your people shall be my people, and thy God my God." This phase alone demonstrates her commitment to embrace Naomi’s way of life instead of her Moabites intricacies. Finally, Ruth shifts her total attention on her mother-in-law. Such a responsibility usually rests on the males of the family, and since there remains no males, Ruth became Naomi’s provider.

What an awesome demonstration of selfless love! How many of us have demonstrated such love to our love ones? How many of us tend to remove our selfish intention just to love another? How many of us realize the commitment to both the physical and spiritual journey of someone else? So the next time you hear the words, I love you, think about Ruth instead of waiting for your Boaz.