When you hear “women in the Bible,” what comes to mind? How do Jael and Deborah compare to other women in the Bible?
What gender roles and/or patterns have you noticed in other biblical stories you’ve interacted with in the past?
What differences and/or similarities did you notice between the stories told in chapter 4 vs chapter 5?
The Song of Deborah may be one of the oldest texts in the biblical canon [03:05]. What, if anything, might that indicate about how various interpretations and portrayals of gender in the Bible have changed over time?
Applying the Text:
Who are the heroes in this story? Who are the villains? Is it clear to the reader? Does it depend on the reader?
How does violence show up in this story? Is it the same or different compared to the way violence shows up in Joshua?
Do you see Jael’s heroism in this story as empowering or problematic (or both/neither/other)?