Tim Maas Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

I agree that multiple passages in the Bible express the type of attitude indicated by the verses cited in the question. However, I interpret these passages as being a narrative of events that occurred in a fallen world, rather than dealing with conduct or attitudes commanded or condoned by God.

The cited passage from Genesis was an event that occurred in Sodom, a city that has become synonymous with sin and godlessness. The passage from Judges occurred at a time when (as the Bible itself reiterates in both Judges 17:6 and Judges 21:25) there was no king in Israel, and everyone did that which was right in his own eyes, and also when the Israelites repeatedly forsook God and practiced evil.

To me, the operative sentiment for Christians is the thought expressed by Paul in Galatians 3:28 that, in Christ, earthly distinctions of gender, social class, or nationality no longer exist.

February 05 2020 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Lena Wms Student @Christ Gospel Church, S.S.Teacher, Observer

I think what is important to remember is that our Heavenly Father wastes nothing. There is a reason He has placed both of these accounts in our Bible for us to consider. Since God formed and fashioned Adam female so perfectly, I find it rather difficult to believe that God places little value on the female body or her character. This being stated, there must be something more to these two instances that God would call our attention to them by recording them. 

Let's look at what is so strikingly similar in both cases. Strangers show up in a town, they are befriended by someone and taken into their home, sometime after dark, the men of the city surround the home and demand the stranger be delivered up so they can "know" them. (sexually) The homeowner attempts to pacify the crowd by offering his own virgin daughter(s) and the man's concubine. 

This seems so harsh, until we look at a covenant:

Salt Covenant (Loyalty)
According to Jewish studies, salt was very expensive and every hard to get. But, when a guest came into your home (which is why the man in Judges was left wandering the streets, I'm guessing) you immediately offered them a morsel of bread with a small amount of salt. This was an oath that no matter what, you would lay down your worldly possessions, your own family, even your own life to protect this person that had come under your roof. The stranger could then rest easy, knowing they were safe to sleep without fear of harm to their person or their possessions. 

We see in Lot's case, he attempted to speak peacefully to the men of Sodom and reason with them. They threatened to be more harsh with him than his guest. Had the angels not struck the men with blindness, and pulled Lot back inside his home, he would have perished that night. 

So why did these homeowners offer their own daughters to pacify these horrible men? Because they took an oath to protect at all cost. (Reminds me of the three musketeers.) 

What about the poor concubine that lost her life that night? How fair is that, one might ask? God punishes sin. The entire tribe of Benjamin was and is still being punished for these crimes against this one woman. Read Judges 20 and 21 to see how many men lost their lives in battle because of this one woman. God did not approve of the treatment of her and He required their proud blood. (Proud in the fact they thought they could fight against the entire army of Israel with the LORD God on their side and win.)

Jesus told His followers they were the "salt" of the earth. Matt 5:13
They were to be the loyalty covenant with and for people. Giving them a "safe" place to rest. Our tears are salty. There is safety in our tears before God. As we lift people up before the LORD in prayer, they can find safety in our salt as it were. We have the ability to lose our saltiness. The flavor can go out of our prayers and they can quickly become a form, a duty, or even a chore. 

Be worth your salt. This was soldier's payment in biblical days. Salt was worth everything to people. But if it was tasteless, like sand.

Quite interestingly it is easier for a woman to cry than a man. A woman is given power with the angels. 1 Cor 11:10. As a woman, I do not feel slighted by my Heavenly Father. I feel very protected and cherished.

Be blessed,
Lena

February 07 2020 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report