Summer Stories: Deborah, Prophetess & Ruler of Israel + Jael, Spiker of Heads
Plus, I SUP'd!
Hi, it’s me. How’s your summer going so far? I don’t know how things are where you live, but in Seattle this feels like the halfway-ish point of summer. I know some kids around the country go back to school in August, but our kids have traditionally started school the week after Labor Day, so we still have a full month and change left of summer, theoretically.
I mentioned previously that we canceled a family trip to New York1 due to Bryan’s cancer treatment schedule, so we spent some of that money on fun at-home adventures, like purchasing a couple stand-up paddle boards (SUP) and related gear.
Bryan started expressing an interest in SUP last summer, and I have to admit that I passive-aggressively avoided the subject. (Bryan always says I do things aggressive aggressively, but this is my newsletter.) I think I’m allergic to activities that require gear and prior planning and logistical effort to participate in. I hate the idea of getting ready to go (see also yoga studios, camping, and joining a gym), but once I am doing that thing I enjoy myself.
We’ve been out a couple times now, and while it took time and effort getting the SUPs and related gear loaded, I can see a future in which it’s practically effortless because we go frequently enough to get into a rhythm, and we keep the gear stored conveniently. Plus, I stood up on my first attempt! which is a great motivator.
Bravo to Bryan for being our Family Adventure Hype Man.
In the video below you’ll see me stand up, wobble, attempt to lengthen my ore but I accidentally pull it apart (sound on for “Oh shit oh shit oh shit”), then start yelling at a total stranger that I just stood up for the first time. She reminded me to be “strong in the middle,” which is going to be the title of a future newsletter edition, I’m sure.
Today’s newsletter is the final in a series of five stories intended to distract you while I work behind the scenes to update All The Things leading up to my newsletter relaunch … in two weeks, August 9th.2
If you missed it, you can read the first story about Ned Stark HERE, the second story about Tony Hale HERE, and the third story about Theresa Fette HERE, and the fourth story about Debbie Fiderer HERE.
Deborah, Prophetess & Ruler of Israel + Jael, Spiker of Heads
Deborah's story as a leader in the community can be found in Judges 43 of the Old Testament in the Christian Bible. As a judge, she was well-respected, presided over disputes, and made tough decisions for other people. In addition to this civil leadership role, she was also a prophet, which was a spiritual leader to her community.
As you can imagine, in that day it was very rare for a woman to fill either one of these roles. Even today, there are some evangelical communities who prevent women from exercising their gifts fully, not allowing them to lead.
One day, Deborah spoke a prophetic word to the commander of the army, Barak, saying that God would deliver the enemy army and its commander, Sisera, into their hands. All Barak needed to do was to be in the right place at the right time to scoop him up.
"I'll only go if you go," Barak said to Deborah.
Many years ago I read this story and thought to myself, Really? Are you that big of a wuss, Barak? God said he would deliver this army into your hands.
But I’m older now, and I get it. I read this part with a bit more empathy because I understand what it feels like to be afraid and not trust God's promises. Even with very clear direction, it seems like an absurd scenario with a high risk factor. And when the worst case scenario is that everyone dies and the country is taken, I too, would pause to consider whether I believe.
However, Deborah has no doubt.
"Fine," she said. "I'll go with you. But a woman will get all the glory."
As promised, God delivered ALL ten thousand men in Sisera's army, and they were killed. But in a dramatic plot twist, Sisera abandons his men, runs away, and finds a tent to hide in.
The tent belonged to a woman named Jael.
Jael invites him inside, makes him feel safe, and lulls him to sleep with warm milk and a calm demeanor. Then, once his guard is down, she drives a tent stake through his head like a bad ass, killing him.
In the celebration that followed, Deborah's prophecy was fulfilled that a woman would get all the credit. Both she and Jael were celebrated in song — here’s the verse mentioning Jael:
“Most blessed of women be Jael,
the wife of Heber the Kenite,
most blessed of tent-dwelling women.
He asked for water, and she gave him milk;
in a bowl fit for nobles she brought him curdled milk.
Her hand reached for the tent peg,
her right hand for the workman’s hammer.
She struck Sisera, she crushed his head,
she shattered and pierced his temple.
At her feet he sank,
he fell; there he lay.
At her feet he sank, he fell;
where he sank, there he fell—dead.”4
This story shows me what strong female leadership can look like.
Deborah is fierce, confident, and decisive — all attributes typically associated with men. Yet, in the victory celebration that follows, Deborah calls herself a "mother in Israel."
Villagers in Israel would not fight;
they held back until I, Deborah, arose,
until I arose, a mother in Israel.5
She's fierce and cunning because she's nurturing and feminine.
It was cathartic for me to see her celebrate femininity as an asset to leadership, not a disadvantage.
In the workplace, I tend to lead with my nurturing and fun side, which is a great team building quality because people trust me. However because of this, I’m often not taken seriously by those in leadership — even though I can also drive a metaphorical tent stake through a problem when needed.
What about you? How does the story of Deborah and Jael change or reinforce what you think about yourself as a leader? About someone you know who might have leadership potential? What do you think about the value of feminine, nurturing qualities as a leadership style? I'd love to hear about your experience or observations.
Until next time,
Jen
News + Notes
It may not surprise you that a Zug offspring is a prolific writer. Our son Thomas (age 18) also loves to record and edit audio and video footage. Recently he experimented with combining them all — writing an essay, recording the audio, and setting it to some video b-roll he’s recorded over the years. He gave me permission to post it here (it’s five minutes long):
I mean, for real for real this is good, right? Or am I a biased mom? If you leave him a comment here or on his YouTube page, I’m sure he’d love it.
Here’s where I wrote about our canceled summer plans:
Yes, I know I said August 2nd, but I need more time. I wasn’t expecting my dog to die in the middle of this, ya know?
Love this. I just wrote guidelines for curriculum writers about using part of the Deborah story with children. Not easy, with the whole tent peg scene, but they need to see strong female leadership in the Bible. Related, I just saw the Barbie movie and have some thoughts that might get shared later.... Also, SUP and your kid’s creativity—wow!
1. I'm going to have to come visit so I can try paddle boarding with y'all--WAY to go, Jen!!!
2. Jael was always my favorite Biblical woman (with Deborah high on the list) the idea of being a bad ass BECAUSE she's a 'Mother in Israel' is absolutely awesome and probably a little mind blowing for a few of our more conservative friends--but that story should be every pastor's Mothers' Day sermon!