Everyone agrees that the Old Testament is difficult to understand, and it is. But when we take Nephi’s word and liken the scriptures to us, and in particular liken scripture to Jesus Christ, amazing insights can unfold. Here is what we can learn from Deborah, Jael, Gideon, and Samson.

Deborah (Judges 4)

Deborah was a prophetess and judge at a time when apparently truly righteous men were scarce. At least, that’s what we assume. At any rate, she was fearless when it came to fighting the adversary. When Barak, the leader of the Israelite army, comes to her for direction, he not only fears to go after the Canaanites, he demands that she go with him to bolster him and his men during the battle. She says she will not only accompany him but, in the name of the Lord, He shall “sell Sisera into the hand of a woman” (Judges 4:9).

Jael (Judges 4)

Attached to the story of Deborah is Jael, an obscure woman that is easily looked over. When Sisera, the captain of the Canaanite army flees in battle, he finds shelter in Jael’s home. After feeding him, she covers him with a blanket and hammers a nail through his head. It would be easy to take this as a “woman power” story, but it is much more. Let’s examine some of the words used that we recognize and can liken.

Sisera comes into Jael’s tent (safe and holy place) where she immediately covers him with a mantle. In verse 18, it uses the words cover and mantle. Jesus Christ’s atonement covers our sins in two different ways: 1) by preventing and protecting us from sin, and 2) by allowing us to repent of our sins. Using a nail of the tent (temple), she destroys the evil that has come into her house. This story now becomes a beautiful example of how to draw the power of Jesus Christ, through His atonement, in our own lives.

Women of today often wish there were more women in the scriptures. We don’t need more women, we need to understand the women we read about—better. Deborah rejoices in song, praising, “blessed above women shall Jael … be above women in the tent” (Judges 5:24). Who could these women be in the tent other than temple workers or temple goers?

Gideon (Judges 7)

Most of the time, the Israelite armies were small compared to their enemies. In this way, they would always depend on God to fight their battles. But in this one instance, the army is too large. The Lord fears that the soldiers won’t feel a need to turn to Him for help, so He tells Gideon to test the men. While drinking, if they lap like a dog they are to be sent home. But those who cup their hand to the water and sip are to remain. Again, as we liken this scene to the temple, we are reminded of Jesus Christ; what He did for us, and our complete dependence upon His atoning sacrifice.

Samson (Judges 13-16)

This is a story about lost potential. Samson was blessed from birth with many great things that gave him power over his enemies. The spirit was with Samson, he was special, and he had a great destiny in store. But what ended up happening is he misuses this power. He first marries outside the covenant. Then he has relations with a harlot. Finally, he meets Delilah, who seduces him with evil purposes. His weakness is breaking the law of chastity over and over again, which causes him to lose all his power.

As members of the church, we have this same potential. What are we doing with it?