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Most blessed of women be Jael…
Judges 5:24 (ESV)

Feeling alone? Invisible? Tired of doing menial tasks?

I can answer all three questions with a resounding YES!

This road of widowhood can be so difficult, and it isn’t unusual to feel alone, invisible, and exhausted from all the responsibilities that knock on the door of our one-adult-household.

In the pages of Judges, chapters four and five, I discovered a woman named Jael. She spent her life as a shepherdess, roaming from place to place, living in the shadows of the men in the Kenite tribe. Her work was preparing food, putting up tents, pounding tent stakes, only to pull up tent stakes, and tear down tents so she could move to another spot and repeat the process all over again.

Exhausting!

Not much time for a life of bonbons and relaxation. Not much chance to be seen, let alone noticed.

I can identify!

No bonbons for this girl, either. There is little time for relaxation with all the responsibilities that have been placed on my shoulders as a widowed woman.

At the proper time, God used Jael to crush an oppressing Israelite enemy.

Jael’s arsenal came in the form of her skills and her tools she worked with every day.

An enemy of the Israelites came to her tent when she was alone, looking for protection and hiding.

He asked for water. She gave him milk and covered him with a blanket.

When the time was right…

She took hold of her simple hammer and her simple tent stake and eliminated the Israelite enemy.

When Jael showed her loyalty for the Israelites, she was honored and considered “most blessed of women.” Deborah was a powerful leader of the Hebrew people, and to honor Jael was significant. They were at opposite ends of the social realm, and Deborah took it upon herself to take notice and honor Jael.

There are two traits we can glean from Jael and Deborah. Jael’s work ethic and her willingness to go above and beyond in her tasks prepared her to bring honor to God’s people.

When we do the work, God will bring the notice.

Secondly, Deborah’s act of honoring Jael shows us the importance of honoring another sister in Christ, no matter their position or the call God has placed on them.

All of us have the ability to play a role in moving His kingdom forward.

Everyday tasks and everyday responsibilities prepare us for the role we will play in God’s story in both our community and in His kingdom.

Dear Father, help us to see the importance of everything we do. Remind us that we are never invisible and never alone. You always see us. You are always with us. Help us to stand together despite our stories, our circumstances or our pasts. Help us to realize when we honor each other we are honoring You and Your kingdom story. We want to be faithful to our calling and to You. In Your Mighty Name, Amen!