Jael's name means “wild goat”, and that is not the insult it sounds like
The Lord is positioning His people into places of influence and anointing them for service in the sphere of their own influence. This is sometimes in contrast to traditionally held views of the role of believers, as well as the tasks for which the Lord releases His anointing upon His people.
This shift — for purposes of taking the victory of the Lord beyond the usual “fields of engagement”, that is, within the church context — is vividly pictured in Judges 4 and 5.
The prophetic ministry and leadership role of Judge Deborah has prevailed for twenty years in the face of severe oppression and domination of the enemy. The anointing functioned on behalf of domestic needs among God's people. However, it is not until the surprise prophetic announcement in Judges 4:6 that the voice of the anointing addresses the presence of the enemy and the Lord's intended triumph.
The stage is set for great transition
Deborah and Barak come to the mutual understanding that they will commit to partnership, and thus they break the norm for victory to be attained by a single hero. It is important to note that this is not a decision of weakness — Barak is named in the Hebrews 11 line-up of faith. Everything is now in place for not only Barak to be involved with the anointing in a role of military victory, but also opens the way for Jael.
She was not a novice at the swing of the hammer
The story of Jael is well known. She has the famed enemy, Sisera, arrive at her tent door. She comforts him with a refreshing drink. Then she raises her hammer and drives the tent peg through the unsuspecting head of the sleeping enemy.
This is not “conventional” warfare. She represents the new and the now plan of God: to take the battle outside of the four walls of the church, and to use her well-honed skills to defeat the enemy in the sphere of her own influence.
She was not a novice at the swing of the hammer. Likely, every time that tent had moved through the years, she had been the one to raise it and drive the tent pegs to secure it. Now, that same well-honed skill is activated for the purposes of defeating the enemy, and thus advancing the prospering of the people of God both financially and militarily.
The leadership secret is in her name
The “leadership secret” awaits our discovery in the meaning of Jael's name. Granted, it is quite a combination of seemingly unrelated diverse meanings.
We're comfortable and blessed when we realise that firstly “Jael” means valued. That's exactly how the Lord is assessing the role and activity of His people in the marketplace today.
The second meaning is more difficult to appreciate. It means “wild goat”. However, before dismissing this as almost an insult, please note that the original intention of the Hebrew word is all about climbing. Her hammer is activated, and her feet are perfectly formed to ascend.
You are anointed to be sure-footed and to climb.
Rev. Peggy I. Kennedy
The Lord values you, and He has outfitted you — even anointed you — to climb the very surfaces of the mountains of society that have previously repelled believers. You won't be pushed back. He's activating your skills and outfitting your feet. He has placed you in the specific sphere of your own influence.
Rev. Peggy I. Kennedy
Speaker and author with Two Silver Trumpets Ministry in Canada, where she and Jack Kennedy have served the church for over fifty years.