The Word for Today with Ray

Thursday, September 24, 2026

Her Hand to the Nail and Hammer - Judges 5:26

In the book of Judges we learned, “Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day, saying, praise you the LORD for the avenging of Israel, … Blessed above women shall Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite be, blessed shall she be above women in the tent. He asked water, and she gave him milk; she brought forth butter in a lordly dish”, and in chapter five and verse twenty-six of Judges, we learn how Deborah and Barak sung, “she put her hand to the nail, and her right hand to the workmen's hammer” where we read,

She put her hand to the nail, and her right hand to the workmen's hammer; and with the hammer she smote Sisera, she smote off his head, when she had pierced and stricken through his temples.

The verse reads, “She put her hand to the nail, and her right hand to the workmen's hammer;” The writer began with the words, “she put her hand to the nail” which means “she, Jael, stretched out and extended her, Jael’s, physical hand toward the pin, peg or tent stake”, “and her right hand” or “and her, Jael’s, right physical hand” “to the workmen’s hammer” which means “toward the laborer’s mallet or hammer”. The writer shared how “Deborah and Barak’s” song included the details about “Jael” extending her physical hand toward the tent stake, and she stretched forth her right physical hand toward the laborer’s mallet or “hammer”.

The verse goes on to say, “and with the hammer she smote Sisera, she smote off his head, when she had pierced and stricken through his temples.” The writer continued with the words, “and with the hammer” which means “and by the use of the laborer’s mallet or hammer” “she smote Sisera” or “she, Jael, struck, beat down and conquered Sisera whose name means ‘battle array’ and was the conquering general under king Jabin of Hazor”, “she smote off his head” which means “she, Jael, utterly destroyed, annihilated and crushed his, Sisera’s, physical head”, “when she had pierced” or “at the time she, Jael, smote, shattered and severely wounded” “and stricken through” which means “and struck, passed and abolished” “his temples” or “his, Sisera’s temples on the side of his head. The writer shared how “Deborah and Barak” included the way “Jael” took the laborer’s mallet or hammer and struck “Sisera” by passing the tent stake through the temples on the side of his head.

When we consider the words in this verse, we see how “Deborah and Barak” recounted the story of “Jael” using a “tent stake” and a laborer’s “hammer” to strike down “Sisera”. “Jael” was thorough in her work, and God wants us to be the same way in His Kingdom. “God so loved the world, that He sent His Only Begotten Son (Jesus), that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16), and when we submit our lives to Jesus who died on the cross for our sins and was raised from the grave after three days as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and to help us thoroughly accomplish the task He assigned for us in this world. (See John 16:13; Acts 1:8; Matthew 4:10)

Next time we learn how Deborah and Barak sing, “at her feet he bowed”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

Jael Blessed Among Women - Judges 5:25

In the book of Judges we learned, “Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day, saying, praise you the LORD for the avenging of Israel, … Blessed above women shall Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite be, blessed shall she be above women in the tent”, and in chapter five and verse twenty-five of Judges, we learn how Deborah and Barak sung, “He asked water, and she gave him milk” where we read,

He asked water, and she gave him milk; she brought forth butter in a lordly dish.

The verse reads, “He asked water, and she gave him milk;” The writer began with the words, “he asked water” which means “he, Sisera, requested refreshing water”, “and she gave him milk” or “and she, Jael, provided him, Sisera, with milk from the kine”. The writer shared how “Deborah and Barak” also included within their song the way “Sisera” desired refreshing water from “Jael”, however, she provided him with “milk of the kine” instead.

The verse continues, “she brought forth butter in a lordly dish.” The writer added the words, “she brought forth butter” which means “she, Jael, carried curdled milk or cheese” “in a lordly dish” or “within a great, majestic and noble basin such as a deepened out bowl”. The writer shared how “Deborah and Barak” sung of the way “Jael” carried curdled milk or cheese to “Sisera” within a majestic basin.

When we think through the words in this verse, we see how “Deborah and Barak” included the story of “Jael” providing “Sisera” with “milk of the kine” rather than refreshing “water”. “Jael” was given wisdom by Jehovah God because “Sisera” was soon to die at her hands. God will give us wisdom over His foes when He is determined to defeat them, and although they may initially seem to have an advantage, because we have received His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and help us know how to manage our adversaries according to His perfect will and plan. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; James 1:5)

Next time we learn how Deborah and Barak sing, “she put her hand to the nail, and her right hand to the workmen's hammer”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Jael Blessed Among Women - Judges 5:24

In the book of Judges we learned, “Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day, saying, praise you the LORD for the avenging of Israel, … Curse you Meroz, said the angel of the LORD, curse you bitterly the inhabitants thereof; because they came not to the help of the LORD, to the help of the LORD against the mighty”, and in chapter five and verse twenty-four of Judges, we learn how Deborah and Barak sung, “blessed above women shall Jael the wife of Herber … be” where we read,

Blessed above women shall Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite be,

blessed shall she be above women in the tent.

The verse reads, “Blessed above women shall Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite be …” The writer began with the words, “blessed above women” which means “saluted, praised and adored over other female human beings” “shall Jael the wife of Heber” or “will Jael whose name means ‘mountain goat’ and was the Kenite who killed the general Sisera as he slept by driving a peg through his temples into the ground, the female spouse of Heber whose name means ‘comrade’” “the Kenite be” which means “the ‘smiths’ and was the tribe from which the father-in-law of Moses was a member who lived in the area between southern Palestine and the mountains of Sinai”. The writer shared how “Deborah and Balak” sung of the praise and adoration that would exist for “Jael” the female spouse of “Heber the Kenite”.

The verse goes on to say, “… blessed shall she be above women in the tent.” The writer continued with the words, “blessed shall she be” which means “saluted, praised and adored will she, Jael, exist” “above women” or “over the other female human beings” “in the tent” which means “within the temporary and transient habitation, dwelling place or home”. The writer shared how “Deborah and Barak” sung of the adoration that “Jael” would have over all other female human being who dwell within temporary dwelling places.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn about the way “Deborah and Barak” included praise and adoration for “Jael” who killed “Sisera” with the tent stake. Over all the other “women” who lived in “temporary dwelling places”, “Jael” would receive honor over them. God knows who is effective in His Kingdom, and He wants all of us to fulfill His desire for our lives. When we yield to His Son Jesus as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and give us the ability not only to do what He desires, but also to perform it in a manner that receives praise and honor from Him. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 3:8,14; Colossians 3:24)

Next time we learn how Deborah and Barak sing, “He asked water, and she gave him milk”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Curse You Meroz - Judges 5:23

In the book of Judges we learned, “Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day, saying, praise you the LORD for the avenging of Israel, … The kings came and fought, then fought the kings of Canaan in Taanach by the waters of Megiddo; they took no gain of money. They fought from heaven; the stars in their courses fought against Sisera. The river of Kishon swept them away, that ancient river, the river Kishon. O my soul, you have trodden down strength. Then were the horsehoofs broken by the means of the pransings, the pransings of their mighty ones”, and in chapter five and verse twenty-three of Judges, we learn how Deborah and Barak sung, “Curse you Meroz” where we read,

Curse you Meroz, said the angel of the LORD, curse you bitterly the inhabitants thereof;

because they came not to the help of the LORD, to the help of the LORD against the mighty.

The verse reads, “Curse you Meroz, said the angel of the LORD, curse you bitterly the inhabitants thereof;” The writer began with the words, “curse you Meroz” which means “execrate and bind you, Meroz whose name means ‘refuge’ and was a place in northern Palestine”, “said the angel of the LORD” or “uttered, declared and proclaimed the envoy and messenger belonging to Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God”, “curse you bitterly” which means “execrate and bind you, Meroz, in an angry, hurt and resentful way” “the inhabitants thereof” or “the people and dwellers within Meroz”. The writer shared how “Deborah and Barak” sung of the messenger of Jehovah God and His execration upon the dwellers and abiders within “Meroz”.

The verse continues, “because they came not to the help of the LORD, to the help of the LORD against the mighty.” The writer added the words, “because they came not to the help” which means “since and on account that they, the people of Meroz, did not respond, come near or approached the succor, aid and assistance” “of the LORD” or “belonging to Jehovah who is the existing One and is the proper name for the One True God”, “to the help of the LORD” which means “to the the succor, aid and assistance” “against the mighty” or “in opposition to the powerful and strong”. The writer shared how “Deborah and Barak” called out the people of “Meroz” on account that they did not arrive or respond to the assistance and aid belonging to Jehovah God in opposition to the powerful foes of “Sisera and his army”.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how “Deborah and Barak” spoke to the idea of the people of “Meroz” not responding to the aid of Jehovah God in His opposition to “Jabin, Sisera and their army”. God wanted people to be involved in His Kingdom work, and the same is true today in His offer of salvation to everyone through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. When we yield to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and equip us with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and give us the boldness to be involved in His winning people against the enemy of our souls. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:37)

Next time we learn how Deborah and Barak sing, “Blessed above women shall Jael the wife of Heber be”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

The Horsehoofs Broken - Judges 5:22

In the book of Judges we learned, “Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day, saying, praise you the LORD for the avenging of Israel, … The kings came and fought, then fought the kings of Canaan in Taanach by the waters of Megiddo; they took no gain of money. They fought from heaven; the stars in their courses fought against Sisera. The river of Kishon swept them away, that ancient river, the river Kishon. O my soul, you have trodden down strength”, and in chapter five and verse twenty-two of Judges, we learn how Deborah and Barak sung, “Then were the horsehoofs broken” where we read,

Then were the horsehoofs broken by the means of the pransings,

the pransings of their mighty ones.

The verse reads, “Then were the horsehoofs broken by the means of the pransings, …” The writer began with the words, “then were the horse hoofs” which means “at that time the were the heels, footprints and hinder parts” “broken by the means of the pransings” or “smitten, struck and hammered from the cause of dashing, rushing and galloping”. The writer shared how “Deborah and Barak” sung of the hoofs of the horses beat loudly and hammered because of their dashing and galloping.

The verse goes on to say, “… the pransings of their mighty ones.” The writer continued with the words, “the pransings” which means “the dashing, rushing and galloping” “of their mighty ones” or “belonging to their, the horses of Sisera’s, power and strength”. The writer shared how “Deborah and Barak” sung of the pounding of the horses’ hooves of “Sisera” by their dashing and galloping.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how “Deborah and Barak” were singing about the thundering of the powerful “horses” of “Sisera”. Because they were running and galloping so fast, it caused the horses to make a pounding sound. Once again we see how the functions of the army of Jabin and his army thought they were advantaged by powerful horses, however they failed under the power of Almighty God. God has a plan for the redemption of all mankind through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. When we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and provide us with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and help us trust in Him even when the things of the natural are thundering around us. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Revelation 4:11)

Next time we learn how Deborah and Barak sing, “Curse you Meroz”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Tuesday, September 22, 2026

The River of Kishon Swept Them Away - Judges 5:21

In the book of Judges we learned, “Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day, saying, praise you the LORD for the avenging of Israel, … Zebulun and Naphtali were a people that jeopardized their lives unto the death in the high places of the field. The kings came and fought, then fought the kings of Canaan in Taanach by the waters of Megiddo; they took no gain of money. They fought from heaven; the stars in their courses fought against Sisera”, and in chapter five and verse twenty-one of Judges, we learn how Deborah and Barak sung, “the river of Kishon swept them away” where we read,

The river of Kishon swept them away, that ancient river, the river Kishon.

O my soul, you have trodden down strength.

The verse reads, “The river of Kishon swept them away, that ancient river, the river Kishon. …” The writer began with the words, “the river of Kishon” which means “the flowing waters belonging to Kishon whose name means ‘winding’ and was a river in central Palestine; scene of the defeat of Sisera by the Israelites in the time of the judges and the destruction of the prophets of Baal by Elijah” “swept them away” or “bore away violently or scooped off, them, Sisera and his army”, “that ancient river” which means “that onrushing flowing stream or torrent of antiquity”, “the river Kishon” or “the flowing stream Kishon whose name means ‘winding’”. The writer shared how the flowing stream named “Kishon” was used to defeat “Jabin, Sisera and their armies” who were against Israel.

The verse continues, “O my soul, you have trodden down strength.” The writer added the words, “O my soul” which means “O my, Deborah and Barak’s, mind, will and heart”, “you have trodden down strength” or “you, Deborah and Barak’s soul, have marched on, taken courage and are powerful and mighty”. The writer shared how “Deborah, along with Barak” sung as an encouragement to their mind and will because they had taken courage and strength for the battle.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how the “River Kishon” was used to defeat “Jabin, Sisera and their armies”. This caused “Deborah and Barak” to exclaim how their mind and will was lifted up because they were courageous against their hating foes. God wants us to win the victory over sin and death, and we accomplish that when we receive His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and rose from the dead after three days. When we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and give us the ability to have courage and strength to be victorious with Him in this world. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; 1 John 5:4)

Next time we learn how Deborah and Barak sing, “Then were the horsehoofs broken”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

They Fought From Heaven - Judges 5:20

In the book of Judges we learned, “Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day, saying, praise you the LORD for the avenging of Israel, … Zebulun and Naphtali were a people that jeopardized their lives unto the death in the high places of the field. The kings came and fought, then fought the kings of Canaan in Taanach by the waters of Megiddo; they took no gain of money”, and in chapter five and verse twenty of Judges, we learn how Deborah and Barak sung, “they fought from heaven” where we read,

They fought from heaven; the stars in their courses fought against Sisera.

The verse reads, “They fought from heaven;” The writer began with the words, “they fought” which means “they, the stars, battled and waged war,” “from heaven” or “separate and apart from the sky, abode of the stars, the atmosphere and the visible universe”. The writer shared how even the “stars” in the sky fought on behalf of the people of “Israel”.

The verse goes on to say, “the stars in their courses fought against Sisera.” The writer continued with the words, “the stars in their courses” which means “the blazing, rolling, round and shining celestial bodies within their, the stars’, causeways and paths” “fought against Sisera” or “battled and waged war in opposition to Sisera whose name means ‘battle array’ and was the conquering general under king Jabin of Hazor and slain by Jael”. The writer shared how the shining celestial bodies within their paths battled “Sisera”.

When we consider the words in this verse, we discover how “Deborah and Barak” sung about how the celestial bodies in the sky got involved in the fight in opposition to “Sisera”. God is able to employ whoever and whatever He desires to accomplish His will, and when it comes to “Israel”, He will call upon Heaven and Earth to rescue them. God loves Israel, and He loves us. He sent His Son Jesus to the earth from Heaven to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when He raised Him from the dead after three days, He made the way through faith and trust in Him to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and provided with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and demonstrate His power over the earth and sky to reach people for His Kingdom. (See John 3:13, 16; 6:38, 51; 16:13; Acts 1:8)

Next time we learn how Deborah and Barak sing, “the river of Kishon swept them away”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…