The Woman Who Took a Hammer to the Enemy

Jael: The Woman Who Took a Hammer to the Enemy

Hey, Lady, what’s in your hand?

Let me ask you something really quick: if God called you to handle business but all you had in your hand was a tent peg and a hammer, would you be ready?

Most of us would be like, “Lord, can I at least get a sword or a squad?” But God has this wild way of showing us that the little thing in your hand is exactly what He’ll use to flip the whole situation.

That’s the story of Jael in Judges 4–5. Sis wasn’t a soldier. She wasn’t an Israelite. She wasn’t even in the original battle plan. But when the moment came, she picked up what she had, moved with courage, and secured victory for God’s people.

Now, talking about some biblical tea… her story isn’t cute and soft. This isn’t Noah’s ark or Daniel in the lions’ den. This is a woman luring an enemy commander into her tent, handing him a blanket, pouring him some milk, and then, while he’s out cold, driving a tent peg through his head.

Yeah. That’s in your Bible. And instead of God saying, “Now, Jael, that was a little extra,” the Word literally calls her “most blessed among women” (Judges 5:24). Same kind of blessing Mary got in Luke. Let that sink in.

So why is this here? Because Jael’s story isn’t about being violent. It’s about obedience, courage, and how God will use an everyday person with everyday tools to bring victory. And truth be told, we all got “Jael moments” in our lives.

Israel’s in a Messy Situation

At this point in Judges, Israel was on their rollercoaster of obedience (So relatable, or at least for me!). You know the pattern: they follow God, then get comfortable, start acting wild, God lets enemies run them over, they cry out, He sends a deliverer. Same cycle, different day.

This time, they were oppressed by King Jabin of Canaan. His military commander was Sisera, and dude was stacked. He had 900 iron chariots (ancient tanks). Israel was shook.

Enter Deborah, prophetess, judge, and all-around boss. She told Barak:

“Go, take ten thousand men... I will lead Sisera into your hands.” (Judges 4:6–7)

But Barak was like, “Uh, I’m only going if you come too.” (Judges 4:8). Deborah agreed, but she dropped a prophecy:

“The honor will not be yours, for the Lord will deliver Sisera into the hands of a woman.” (Judges 4:9)

Now, if you were reading this for the first time, you’d assume that woman was Deborah herself. But God had a plot twist loading. He’s amazing like that!

Jael’s Bold Move

The battle goes down. Israel wins. Sisera’s army is toast. But Sisera himself escapes on foot. He’s tired, sweaty, running for his life.

He stumbles across the tent of Jael, wife of Heber the Kenite. And since the Kenites had peace with King Jabin, Sisera thought he was safe. Wrong, he was oh so wrong!

Like a good episode or Dateline, Jael greets him all nice, offers him a blanket, gives him milk (which low-key knocked him out like NyQuil), and tucks him in. He’s feeling cozy, thinking, “Ah, I’m good here.”

But while he’s knocked out? Sis girl grabs a tent peg and a hammer, normal household tools, and drives that peg through his head so hard it pins him to the ground (Judges 4:21).

When Barak came running by, Jael stepped out like, “Oh, you’re looking for Sisera? Yeah, he’s inside... but uh, he’s not exactly moving around.” And just like that, Deborah’s prophecy was fulfilled.

Celebrated in Song

The next chapter is “The Song of Deborah,” basically a national praise and worship session after the battle. And guess who gets a whole verse?

“Most blessed of women be Jael,

the wife of Heber the Kenite,

most blessed of tent-dwelling women.” (Judges 5:24)

Let me remind you: this is the same Bible that says “Blessed are you among women” to Mary. And here’s Jael, a tent-dwelling woman with no title, standing in that same kind of spotlight. Why? Because she was bold, obedient, and positioned right where God needed her.

Five Life Lessons from Jael

1. God Uses the Unexpected

Jael wasn’t a soldier. She wasn’t even an Israelite. She was just living in a tent. And yet God used her to secure the final blow against Israel’s enemy.

Don’t ever think you’re too small, too random, or too unqualified. God loves using the ones no one sees coming.

2. Courage Means Acting in the Moment

Jael could’ve said, “This isn’t my fight.” But courage isn’t waiting until everything feels safe. Courage is saying yes in the moment.

• Sometimes courage is confronting the toxic co-worker.

• Sometimes it’s leaving that relationship.

• Sometimes it’s starting the thing God’s been telling you to do, even though you don’t feel ready.

Courage isn’t about never being scared. It’s about moving scared.

3. Use What’s in Your Hand

Sisera had iron chariots. Barak had an army. Jael had... a tent peg and hammer. And that was enough.

What do you have in your hand?

• A story only you can tell.

• A gift you’ve been hiding because you think it’s too small.

• A kitchen, a classroom, a notebook, a phone.

Don’t wait for a sword when God already gave you a hammer.

4. God’s Promises Don’t Always Show Up How You Expect

Deborah said a woman would get the honor. Nobody saw Jael coming. But that’s how God works, He’ll fulfill His word, but he will do it in a way that makes you say, “Ohhh, I didn’t see that one.”

Stop trying to predict how God’s gonna move. Just trust He will.

5. Obedience isn’t Always Popular or pretty.

Sisera thought Jael was on his side because of her family’s alliance. By choosing Israel’s side, she risked ticking off her own people.

Sometimes obeying God means losing approval. It means people won’t get you. But I’d rather lose friends than lose purpose.

Everyday Life: Your Jael Moments

Let’s be real, most of us aren’t about to hammer tent pegs into skulls. But the principle of Jael’s story shows up in everyday life:

• At work: speaking up when the boss is out of line.

• In relationships: putting up boundaries with folks who drain you.

• In faith: sharing your testimony even when you feel unqualified.

• In health: using the tools you’ve got (discipline, prayer, small changes) instead of waiting for a miracle pill.

• In community: being the one to stand up when others stay quiet.

Those are your Jael moments.

Conclusion: Grab Your Hammer

Jael’s story is dirty, messy and gritty, but it’s powerful. It reminds us that:

• God uses the overlooked.

• Courage matters more than comfort.

• What’s in your hand is already enough.

So next time the enemy strolls into your tent acting like he runs the place, remember Jael. Smile, serve the milk, and wait on God’s timing. And when the moment comes? Baby, grab your hammer.

Because when you act in obedience and courage, heaven looks down and says the same thing it said about Jael: “Most blessed of women.” Think on that!

Amen & Hallelujah

Hollie McCalip

Disclosure: I’m not suggesting anyone go out and hurt anyone. Use your grown-up brain.