A couple of things stood out for me today.
The test for an unfaithful wife bothered me a bit, because it feels a little voo-doo'ish, with curses and bitter water and whatnot. The point of the test, of course, is to prove whether the wife is guilty of adultery (as suspected by the husband) or if the husband is guilty of misplaced jealous. The fact that there is a test, is actually really good for the woman - in that society, I would think that the word of the husband would have been enough to sentence her to a punishment of death, and how do you prove that you have not been unfaithful? This was a pretty public test, and the man would not want to bring his wife in for this public spectacle if he was not seriously suspicious. Obviously, this marriage was in a sorry state. Either there was adultery going on, or there was no trust in the relationship. I'm not sure why they couldn't simply ask the priest and have him use the Umin and Thurrim, but maybe that would be using it too lightly? Either way, God would need to intervene miraculously in this test in order for the woman to be pronounced guilty or innocent.
This does actually seem to be protective of the woman. But it still seems like an odd way to determine guilt or innocence. Your thoughts?
What struck me most though was this verse....
When a man or woman wrongs another in any way and so is unfaithful to the Lord, that person is guilty and must confess the sin he has committed. He must make full restitution for his wrong, add one fifth to it and give it all to the person he has wronged. Numbers 5:6-7
(emphasis mine)
You can tell that the Holy Spirit is as work in your life when you feel guilt when you sin. It's a good thing. You can tell a fair amount about your relationship with God by your response to your guilty conscience. Justifying your sin, ignoring your sin, making light of your sin - all lead to a very quick downward spiral. But confession and restitution restore relationship.
We need to apologize. But apology is not enough. If it is within our power to do so, we need to fix it. Not only do we need to fix it, we need to make it better than it was to begin with!
You can tell if someone is truly sorry.
But the part that hit me the most is the fact that no matter the sin, no matter who we hurt by our sin, the fact is that we have been unfaithful to the Lord. As David said "Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight" (Psalm 51:4).
When we wrong someone, we need to confess it to them, make restitution (and beyond!), and restore our relationship with God.
I need to do this. And I need to teach my children to do this.
Tomorrow's passage: Numbers 7-8, Mark 13:21-37
3 comments:
Yeah, the infidelity test bugged me a bit, too, but more because there wasn't a similar test for the husbands!!!! I mean, the Ten Commandments were for EVERYONE, right, so why are we just testing the women here??
But again, I guess it comes down to societal norms of the time. The likelihood of a woman coming to the priest complaining about her husband was probably non-existant, since she had essentially no rights. Not even the right to fidelity in marriage or the right to have legitimate complaints heard!
But I really like your point that this test is, in a way, for the husband as well. It isn't testing his fidelity to his wife as much as it tests his faith in her and in God. Which is really a much harsher test!!
And yes, I couldn't help but flash back to the stories I've read about the witch hunts back in the early days of the US where they'd toss a woman into a body of water and if she floated, she must be a witch (and was promptly burned at the stake or hanged), but if she sank, she must have been innocent. (but of course, it was often too late for her to be released to enjoy her freedom)
The main difference, of course, is that humans thought up the witch hunt tests, while God dictated this one. There are only 6 references in the whole Bible to the Urim and the Thummim and none of them talk about how they were actually used or what the outcome was of a decision where they were used. I get the sense that they were used for huge issues involving the entire nation though, not just individuals. The fact that they were a part of the high priest's holy attire kind of suggests that, too, I think.
Great post Tammy. I didn't catch that phrase in the verse about making restitution. It's important to remember that we need to ask forgiveness of Him, not only for sins committed against Him, but sins committed against other people because those sins are against Him as well.
I also found the test for an unfaithful woman to be very strange. I don't recall any other time or circumstance where a test like this is performed. You're right that in saying that it probably was good for the woman - as long as she really had been faithful!
One of the things that stuck out for me from the readings was about not cutting hair in Numbers 5:6
"All the days of his vow of separation, no razor shall touch his head. Until the time is completed for which he separates himself to the LORD, he shall be holy. He shall let the locks of hair of his head grow long.
I wonder if this is why all of the pictures that depict Jesus show him with long hair as a symbol of his dedication to God?
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