The Message

Judges 5:24-27-31 The Message (MSG)

24-27. Most blessed of all women is Jael,wife of Heber the Kenite,most blessed of homemaking women.He asked for water,she brought milk;In a handsome bowl,she offered cream.She grabbed a tent peg in her left hand,with her right hand she seized a hammer.She hammered Sisera, she smashed his head,she drove a hole through his temple.He slumped at her feet. He fell. He sprawled.He slumped at her feet. He fell.Slumped. Fallen. Dead.

28-30. Sisera’s mother waited at the window,a weary, anxious watch.“What’s keeping his chariot?What delays his chariot’s rumble?”The wisest of her ladies-in-waiting answerswith calm, reassuring words,“Don’t you think they’re busy at plunder,dividing up the loot?A girl, maybe two girls,for each man,And for Sisera a bright silk shirt,a prize, fancy silk shirt!And a colorful scarf—make it two scarves—to grace the neck of the plunderer.”

31. Thus may all God’s enemies perish,while his lovers be like the unclouded sun.The land was quiet for forty years.