James Cordova Arts

Retablo, 2004

Hand-adzed wood, home-made gesso, water-based natural pigments, piñon-resin varnish, leather.

Jael and Sisera (Jg: 4 - 21)

Because Israel had sinned against God, God allowed the Canaanite king, Jabin, to conquer them. Sisera was the commander of Jabin’s army and led a campaign against the insurgent Israelites. Under the leadership of Barak, the Israelites led a military campaign against Sisera and his army. When the Israelites won the battle, Sisera escaped to Jael’s tent. Because Jael’s husband and his family were at peace with Jabin, Sisera trusted Jael, who gave him to drink. Sisera ordered her to watch over him while he slept, allowing no one to enter the tent. While he slept, however, Jael, took a wooden peg and a hammer, and drove the peg through Sisera’s head. The death of Sisera was a blow to the Canaanite’s and helped bring victory to the Israelites.