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Was Jael's Deception Of Sisera
A Godly Action?

By Glenn Davis

Many people heartily condemn Rahab because she dared to lie to save the lives of two men.  Jael, on the other hand, seems more acceptable because she did not agree to lie when Sisera asked her to [Jud. 4:20].  Her reply isn't recorded, so we don’t know what she agreed to do.  But we do know that all her actions toward Sisera were deceptions of her true intentions.  She may never have lied with her lips, but her every action was a lie.  Why is it that Rahab is usually criticized, but the deceptions of Jael usually escape criticism? 

Like the Pharisees, we often like to cling to the letter of the law.  It is so easy to judge others who must make hard decisions in difficult situations.  Nevertheless, the Word of God is the Word of God, and we cannot compromise it.  We are bound by love and duty to follow it.  However, we must make sure we are understanding it accurately.  We have written on the ethics of Rahab’s lie elsewhere.  Let’s take a moment to look at the deceptions of Jael.

The Deceptions Of Jael

Was Jael right in what she did - using the art of deception, lying with her actions?  

Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly, we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. 2 Cor. 4:2, NIV

Paul plainly says that we, as Christians, do not use trickery.  When we examine the context, as all good Bible students must do, we see that he is referring specifically to how we present the Word of God. 

Unfortunately, the Word of God is often presented with deception.  For example, if we give people the impression that coming to Jesus will solve all their problems, we are not giving them a true picture.  A popular end-times theory also twists Scripture for thrills and profit.

The Truth About
Deception

Jael, however, was not in this situation.  She was in a war zone, and the enemy general came to her for help.  Our historical Bible story suggests that Jael offered her help.  He ran to her tent because he had an alliance with her husband, and she seemed to welcome the opportunity to assist him.  In fact, she was welcoming the opportunity to stand with the people of God and destroy their enemy.

When we examine the stories of women in the Bible like Rahab, Jael, the Egyptian midwives [Ex. 1:15-21] and even the actions of God Himself [1 Kings 22:22-23, 2 Thess. 2:11-12], an interesting principle emerges.  Before we look at the principle, we must make it clear that the Bible requires honest communication in all forms in normal situations.  Lying or deceptions are harshly condemned as something God hates [Pr. 6:16-17] when they are practiced against innocent people, for personal advantage or to hide our own or others' sins.  It is not a tool to get out of trouble, deserved or not.  

What Jael was dealing with was not a normal situation.  The principle that we see coming out in these types of extreme circumstances is that:  Evil people who would use the truth for evil have forfeited their right to the truth.  The truth about deception is that it is a legitimate weapon and defence in this narrow area.

“For many of them, such deception as Bonhoeffer would soon be involved in was no different from lying.  Bonhoeffer’s willingness to engage in deception stemmed not from a cavalier attitude toward the truth, but from a respect for the truth that was so deep, it forced him beyond the easy legalism of truth-telling.”  Bonhoeffer, 365  [Bonhoeffer was a Christian, German pastor who worked undercover to oppose the Nazis and eventually became involved in a plot to kill Hitler.  The plot failed, and he was arrested and executed.]

For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.  2 Thess. 2:11-12, NIV

This allows for deception in times of war [but not slander - we can deceive our enemy but cannot exaggerate their actions or falsely accuse them] and trickery, such as undercover police officers or undercover government agents may use [as long as they are against evil people and not innocent people].  It would also include things like an abused wife opening a secret bank account to save money to escape an evil man, churches helping those fleeing from injustice or people hiding those being persecuted from the persecutors [i.e. hiding Jews in WWII].

Jael's deceptions show that, in these exceptional cases, deception does not have to be defensive only, as Rahab’s was.  Rahab lied when confronted to protect those under her care.  Jael actively went about deceiving Sisera.  So both defensive and offensive acts are permissible in these limited circumstances.

What Does Deception Mean?

What does deception mean?  A good definition is getting someone to believe, without doubt, something that is false.  As mentioned in The Truth About Deceptions section above, this is ONLY legitimate when dealing with evil people bent on evil purposes.

How was Jael able to trick Sisera so successfully to his death?

She went out to meet him confidently.  Her every word, her every action told him she was on his side.  She understood his problem; she had the solution and was glad to help.  Any faltering in her voice, any sideward glances, any hesitancy in her actions would have betrayed her true intentions and probably gotten her killed.

She did more than welcome him.  She served him well.  He wanted water; she gave him milk.  He was tired, and she covered him with a blanket, which would not only warm him but also give him an added sense of security in hiding.  She went out of her way to show him he was an honoured guest.

Jael was careful not to give Sisera any reason to doubt her loyalty or intentions.  She did her job so well that he felt secure enough to go to sleep in her presence.  He trusted her.  That is a good definition of deception.  Because Jael was successful, a cruel, oppressive enemy of God’s people was destroyed, and she earned a place of honour in Scripture.

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