I love that the Old Testament is full of stories about good conquering evil. Through the lens of a Jew born before Christ, every victory the Israelites had pointed to the ultimate victory of the Messiah and to the heart of a God who wanted justice to prevail. That said, there’s a very interesting account in the book of Judges, and I’m especially fond of it because it involves the forces of darkness being taken down by a woman. In the tradition of Eve, whose offspring would eventually crush the serpent’s head, this story is yet more proof of the Lord’s power to triumph over wickedness. Having been oppressed by a ruler named Jabin, who was the King of Canaan, and his 900 chariots fitted with iron, God heard the prayers of his people and put into motion a plan of deliverance. In those days, Israel was ruled by a judge named Deborah, who was a prophetess, and she called upon a military leader named Barak to gather 10,000 men to go to war against Jabin’s army, which was commanded by a general named Sisera. She declared that she would lead Sisera’s troops right to Barak and deliver them into his hands, but the credit would not go to him. Instead, she promised that the Lord would defeat the enemy by the hands of a woman. Sure enough, when Barak and his army met the Canaanite troops at Mt. Tabor, they conquered them swiftly. However, Sisera escaped and fled on foot. He found shelter at the tent of Jael, who was the wife of a Kenite, a group with whom King Jabin had an alliance. Expecting to be safe in her presence, the commander went inside and instructed her to let no one know he was there. She played along and covered him with a blanket, gave him some milk to drink, and watched him fall soundly asleep. Then, when his guard was down, she crushed his skull with a tent peg. Though it’s an unpleasantly violent account, this story is important because it foreshadows Christ’s victory and deliverance of humankind. Just as the Lord responded to the cries of His people and saved them through the efforts of a woman, He ultimately glorified Eve’s offspring, raised up His only Son, and smote Satan a fatal blow on the head. Even now, no matter how much ground wickedness seems to be gaining in our world, the devil is crushed, and God’s righteousness will prevail — even through unlikely means.

My friend, your Savior is full of goodness. He hears your cries, and He is always swift to deliver you. The schemes of darkness will have no victory in your life, because your soul is safely anchored in Jesus. Though the armies of hell try to come against you, their commander is a defeated foe, and he has no power to alter God’s good plan for your future. Regardless of how foreboding and uncertain things look, your Heavenly Father has already carved out the right path, and He will fight your battles as He faithfully leads you forward to greater blessings and abundance.