Deborah & Jael 

There are a couple of women in the Old Testament who truly inspire us to fight like a girl...

Deborah and Jael.

Deborah was a judge who found herself also accompanying the Israelite army to war. The entire army was defeated except the commander, Sisera, who managed to escape...temporarily. Until he ends up in Jael’s tent then it is good-bye Sisera.

What’s not to love in this story? The bad guys lose. The good girls win.

Once the battle is over, Deborah puts her musical skills to work and composes a song of praise to God for their victory. She thanks God for the part she was able to play but also thanks Him for Jael.

How refreshing is that?

Many of the female relationships we had seen in scripture prior to this weren’t exactly BFFs. Do you remember the drama between Sarah & Hagar? And the sisters - Leah & Rachel?  

What makes Deborah different from these women? She didn’t give in to the comparison game. She was confident in who God made her to be and the unique role He had for her life. When Jael steps on the scene, Deborah could have felt threatened. Instead, she celebrates Jael’s role as the one who killed the enemy.

Unfortunately, the story of Deborah and Jael was the exception rather than the rule in scripture and even today. We still see women struggle in their relationships. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Instead of comparing, let’s run our race, in our lane, doing what God called us to do. Rather than being insecure because someone else seems better at something, let us celebrate their victory and “rejoice with those who rejoice”. When jealousy wants us to tear someone down, we should build them up instead.  

You don’t even have to write a song like Deborah did. A call, a text, a little shout out on Facebook...it’s as easy as that. And it doesn’t have to be about something big like winning a battle or creatively using a tent peg. 

Tell your neighbor her garden is beautiful. Let the girl on the worship team know that she nailed that solo. Is your friend an awesome cook? Don’t just think it - say it!

Do your thing and encourage others to do their thing. Together, we can win some battles.  

~Anu