Numbers 30
Men swear oaths and women make thoughtless utterances... hmmm... interesting. As a woman, I have to confess I have sworn some oaths that were really thoughtless utterances. Fortunately, for my husband, I don't think that I've ever made them in his hearing so he doesn't bear my guilt. :-) I alone am guilty for my own thoughtless utterances.
Does the apparent male privilege and responsibility of the patriarchal society in the old testament offend me? Not in the least. That is the way it was. Just because I don't always appreciate the way history presented itself, doesn't mean I should change it or ignore it. It is what it is. And... just because men at the time were definitely "head of the household" doesn't mean that God didn't bless women. Miriam, afterall, was a prophetess. As we move forward in history through both the old and new testament we will see where God has called many women, the least in this world, to be first: to lead (as servants) his people and to proclaim the good news of the kingdom. To utter words of good news!
I am grateful that my husband does not have to bear the guilt for my sins. They are a bit heavy for him to bear. But, we have a bridegroom (see also: Matt 9:15; Mark 2:19; Luke 5:34; Rev 21:1-3 and my favorite Isaiah 54:4-6 ) who was able. OK... I cannot resist posting Isaiah 54:4-6 (NIV) - it really is a favorite and good news:
“Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame.
Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated.
You will forget the shame of your youth
and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.
For your Maker is your husband—
the LORD Almighty is his name—
the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer;
he is called the God of all the earth.
The LORD will call you back
as if you were a wife deserted and distressed in spirit—
a wife who married young,
only to be rejected,” says your God."
My earthly husband, has not heard my thoughtless utterances, but my maker, my redeemer, my beloved husband, Jesus the Christ has and he bore the weight of our sins upon the cross that we might be freed from sin to be his loving bride, the faith-filled and faithful children of God.
"...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus." (Romans 3:23-26 NIV)
Hoping this all makes sense to all of you this morning. God's Peace - Pr. J
Men swear oaths and women make thoughtless utterances... hmmm... interesting. As a woman, I have to confess I have sworn some oaths that were really thoughtless utterances. Fortunately, for my husband, I don't think that I've ever made them in his hearing so he doesn't bear my guilt. :-) I alone am guilty for my own thoughtless utterances.
Does the apparent male privilege and responsibility of the patriarchal society in the old testament offend me? Not in the least. That is the way it was. Just because I don't always appreciate the way history presented itself, doesn't mean I should change it or ignore it. It is what it is. And... just because men at the time were definitely "head of the household" doesn't mean that God didn't bless women. Miriam, afterall, was a prophetess. As we move forward in history through both the old and new testament we will see where God has called many women, the least in this world, to be first: to lead (as servants) his people and to proclaim the good news of the kingdom. To utter words of good news!
I am grateful that my husband does not have to bear the guilt for my sins. They are a bit heavy for him to bear. But, we have a bridegroom (see also: Matt 9:15; Mark 2:19; Luke 5:34; Rev 21:1-3 and my favorite Isaiah 54:4-6 ) who was able. OK... I cannot resist posting Isaiah 54:4-6 (NIV) - it really is a favorite and good news:
“Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame.
Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated.
You will forget the shame of your youth
and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.
For your Maker is your husband—
the LORD Almighty is his name—
the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer;
he is called the God of all the earth.
The LORD will call you back
as if you were a wife deserted and distressed in spirit—
a wife who married young,
only to be rejected,” says your God."
My earthly husband, has not heard my thoughtless utterances, but my maker, my redeemer, my beloved husband, Jesus the Christ has and he bore the weight of our sins upon the cross that we might be freed from sin to be his loving bride, the faith-filled and faithful children of God.
"...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus." (Romans 3:23-26 NIV)
Hoping this all makes sense to all of you this morning. God's Peace - Pr. J
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