Is this the campsite of an Amazonian?
Or is a Kenite woman in such a league?
Behind displays of generous provision -
Milk and cream, when water would suffice…
This hospitality comes at brutal cost
As Jael sets her hand to hammer’s strike
In violent action, crushing skull
Sisera’s blood flowed forth in flood.
Is this good news? This killing field?
This act of murder – desperate act
Of liberation and release – perhaps?
What drives a woman to domestic violence
Apart from fear of her own victim-place?
There is no justifying of temptation.
But – Jael’s move has made others safe.
Judges 5:24-26 (Jael)
(C) 2017, A.Koh-Butler
See also this great article about reading Jael’s story in a women’s prison
https://www.christiancentury.org/article/critical-essay/reading-jael-s-story-women-s-prison
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