Sisera was a powerful Canaanite military commander who led the army of King Jabin of Hazor against the Israelites during the time of the judges. He is mentioned several times in the Old Testament, most notably in Judges 4 where his defeat and death at the hands of a woman named Jael marked a significant victory for the Israelites over their oppressors. Here is an overview of Sisera’s story and role in Scripture:
Sisera’s Oppression of Israel
The Bible first introduces Sisera in Judges 4:2 which states that “the Lord sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor. The commander of his army was Sisera, who lived in Harosheth-hagoyim.” So Sisera was the military leader of Jabin, a powerful Canaanite king who oppressed the Israelites for 20 years from his capital city of Hazor (Judges 4:3). Under Sisera, the Israelites suffered greatly as he had a massive army with 900 iron chariots, allowing him to ruthlessly subjugate Israel.
Deborah and Barak’s Victory Over Sisera
After crying out to the Lord, the Israelites are delivered through the judge and prophetess Deborah and military commander Barak. Deborah summons Barak to go and fight against Sisera, assuring him that the Lord will lure Sisera right into their trap (Judges 4:7). Barak assembled 10,000 men from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun and met Sisera’s mighty army at Mount Tabor. There the Lord confused and overwhelmed Sisera’s chariots, allowing Barak to defeat them. Sisera fled the battle, abandoning his trapped army (Judges 4:15-16).
Sisera’s Death at the Hands of Jael
After fleeing the lost battle, Sisera ran to the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite. He assumed he would find refuge there since there was peace between Jabin and Heber’s family. However, Jael cunningly invited Sisera into her tent, letting his guard down. She gave him milk to drink, and while he slept from exhaustion, she drove a tent peg through his temple with a mallet, killing him (Judges 4:17-22). This brave act by Jael secured victory for Israel over Sisera and Jabin.
Sisera’s Immorality and Abuse of Power
Although skilled in war, Sisera did not operate by honorable principles. He oppressed the Israelites ruthlessly with his formidable military assets. Deborah’s song in Judges 5 accuses Sisera of utilizing his power and position for evil, stating:
They chose new gods;
then war was in the gates.
Was shield or spear to be seen
among forty thousand in Israel?
My heart goes out to the commanders of Israel
who offered themselves willingly among the people.
Bless the Lord.
Here Deborah condemns the immorality that Sisera represented as he instigated war and violence against the people of God. Sisera stands in Scripture as a picture of what happens when strength and might are divorced from ethics and justice.
Sisera’s Defeat Encouraged the Israelites
The story of Sisera’s dramatic reversal of power at the hands of Deborah, Barak and Jael, would have greatly encouraged the Israelites. Though Sisera seemed unstoppable, the sovereign Lord intervened miraculously on behalf of His oppressed people. God used unexpected means like flooding the Kishon river to disable Sisera’s chariots, and Jael’s hammer and tent peg to kill the feared military leader. This showed that victory comes from the Lord, not from military might and technology. God is able to save His people, no matter the strength of their enemies.
Sisera’s Name Became Synonymous with Israel’s Enemies
Given his fearsome reputation and oppression of Israel, Sisera’s name became symbolic for enemy rulers who persecuted God’s people. In Psalm 83, a later plea for deliverance from foreign threats, the psalmist prays:
Do to them as you did to Midian,
as you did to Sisera
and Jabin at the river Kishon (Psalm 83:9).
Here Sisera stands parallel to other infamous villains who opposed Israel. His defeat was so decisive that Sisera’s name lives on as a standard synonym for whatever enemies rise up against God’s people in the future.
Lessons from Sisera’s Life
Though he was a ruthless and immoral enemy of God’s purposes, Sisera’s life provides some valuable lessons and reminders for students of Scripture:
- God protects and cares for His people, despite the strength of their enemies. Sisera’s demise shows God’s power over mightiest foes.
- Unethical conduct and abuse of power ultimately fail. Sisera’s oppression was overturned because it lacked moral backbone.
- God graciously answers the prayers of His people in need. Israel’s cry was heard and Sisera’s tyranny overthrown.
- God uses unexpected means like flooding rivers and tent pegs to achieve His sovereign purposes. We must trust His unconventional methods.
- Leaders should operate by principles of justice and ethics, not mere military clout. Sisera’s example is one to avoid.
This commanding figure from Israel’s judges period stands as a warning and encouragement through the peaks and valleys of redemptive history. Sisera reminds us of God’s faithfulness and also the importance of matching power with moral courage.
In summary, Sisera was the powerful commander of Jabin’s Canaanite army who oppressed Israel for 20 years during the period of the judges. But God worked through Deborah, Barak and Jael to overthrow Sisera, granting victory to His people. This pivotal moment revealed God’s mighty hand of deliverance against ruthless enemies like Sisera who trust in their own strength. The lessons from Sisera’s life teach us to rely on God’s sovereign care and couple might with moral integrity.
