We know that the Old Testament predates the New Testament; that is an obvious fact. However, it also sometimes pre-shadows the New Testament. What I mean by this is that the Old Testament resembles a shadow cast backward in the time from the events of the New Testament. I think that verses 24 through 27 of Judges, chapter 5 offer an illustration of this.

Deborah sang of Jael as being the “Most blessed of women.” After the events of the New Testament we think of Mary, the mother of Jesus, as being the most blessed of women. So, let’s look at the two and see how they contrast and compare.

Jeal took the life of Sisera by piercing his temple with a tent peg. The song, in describing these events, uses words that call to mind a comparison between Jael and an expert archer. The verbs used for “shattered” and “pierced” are used elsewhere in the Old Testament to refer to arrows hitting the mark. She is acting as a warrior. In verse 27 the words “sank” occurs three times and “fell” occurs twice. In the original Hebrew this builds up to the climactic word “dead.” The word translated as “dead” is literally the word for “destroyed.” Jael refused to remain neutral in the fight against evil. Sisera was a mighty and devastating leader of destruction against Israel, but Jeal, by piercing his head, destroyed the destroyer. Jael was blessed because she pierced and took the life of the destroyer. She temporarily set Israel free.

Jesus was born of Mary. Jesus could have been a warrior, but he chose to be a servant. Instead of piercing evil, he allowed 3 nails and a spear to pierce him. Instead of temporarily destroying evil, Jesus chose to allow evil to destroy him. Christ’s resurrection defeated the destroyer forever.

Jesus changed everything. Christians are not most blessed by destroying someone, no matter how evil they may be. We are most blessed when we lead someone to Jesus and He saves them from evil.