Cull the Herd

I don’t particularly care for extreme feminist ideologies, as I am a devout egalitarian, but lately, I have had several hankerings to share many of my convictions via text. This one, as you may have guessed, DOES concern the roles of women in authority, not only in the 21st century but before Christ as well. 

Just recently, I read Judges 4, which recounts Deborah’s victory over Sisera, King Jabin’s general who victimized the Israelites for 20 years. Deborah, eminently known as the only woman to govern Israel, commanded her army to destroy Sisera’s 900 iron chariots. Naturally, Deborah called for Barak, Israel’s military general to vanquish their foe. However, his response was, “If you will go with me, I will go, but if you will not go with me, I will not go” (Judges 4:8). …Interesting, I didn’t expect that reply, but Deborah answers him and says, “I will surely go with you. Nevertheless, the road on which you are going will not lead to your glory, for the LORD will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman” (Judges 4:9). I LOVE THIS RETORT and will soon tell you why. At any rate, Deborah led Barak and his army of 10,000 to Kedesh, where Canaan’s army stood. (At the time, King Jabin reigned over Canaan.) Just like Aragorn instructed the Elves and Rohan to “Show no mercy” against Sauroman’s dark forces at Helm’s Deep in Lord of the Rings: Two Towers, Deborah initiated the same policy, ordering her men to charge with boldness. According to Judges 4:16, every Canaanite warrior was slaughtered in that battle, including Sisera whose death was perhaps the worst of them all. Sisera died at the hands of an ally, Jael, the wife of King Heber who shared a confidence with King Jabin. When Sisera retreated to Jael’s tent, she murdered him by driving a stake into his temples while he was sleeping. Before doing so, she gave him drink for his weariness at his request and covered him with a rug to “conceal” him from the Israelites. Enough said, right? WRONG. King Jabin was killed within a short period of time too, and Israel lived in peace for 40 years. Judges 5 goes on to talk about specific events that occurred during the battle.

So, what about the roles of women in society? This Biblical episode makes it very clear: Women are capable. Of what? Efficient leadership, victory, intelligence, fortitude, resilience, peace, and as most of us know, murder. So why then do we question young girls who want to become President, lawyers, CEOs, even housewives (for those who view effeminate liberties or gender conventions too staunchly)? What makes Deborah’s story so significant is that she was challenging these gender-discriminating ideas during her rule, WHILE SHE REIGNED. Her authority to some degree was still undermined, yet she vehemently makes it clear that the feat and glory of Sisera’s death would not go to him, a MAN, but would go to a WOMAN. Deborah was not ignorant of the political and gender pressure either. I think it’s safe to say that her role as Judge intimidated men. In fact, it intimidated Barak so much, that he pleaded for her to brave the journey with him. Deborah’s eager willingness to Barak’s request also displayed her selflessness and versatility in leadership. Before the battle at Kedesh, Deborah was known as a prophetess, but after the battle, she was known as a warrior. “In the time of Shamgar son of Anath, and in the time of Jael… Warriors became fat and sloppy, no fight left in them. Then you, Deborah, rose up” (Judges 5:6-7) I’d like to think of Deborah as this classic INTJ description: “Although they are highly capable leaders, Masterminds (INTJs) are not at all eager to take command, preferring to stay in the background until others demonstrate their inability to lead.” Another question to ask is why did God appoint her at this time? I can’t answer it, but I’m pretty sure it deals with abandoning the stigma of sexes. 

Finally, let’s not forget about Jael, today’s unsung heroine but sung yesterday by Deborah and Barak. “Most blessed of all women is Jael, wife of Heber the Kenite, most blessed of HOMEMAKING WOMEN. He asked for water, she brought milk; In a handsome bowl, she offered cream. She grabbed a tent peg in her left hand, with her right hand she seized a hammer. She hammered Sisera, she smashed his head, she drove a hole through his temple. He slumped at her feet. He fell. He sprawled. He slumped at her feet. He fell. Slumped. Fallen. Dead” (Judges 5:24-27). God has a purpose for housewives. Husbands, don’t abuse that purpose, and forward-thinking women, do belittle their purpose. When men tell you to make a sandwich, remember what Jael did but use caution and wisdom and modify her technique.