Numbers 5: Understanding The Word

"This is the law regarding jealousy when a wife goes astray and defiles herself while under her husband's authority."

Numbers 5:29

One of the biggest problems that a lot of good people have with the Old Testament law - a woman who has an affair is punished, but there is no mention of consequences for a man who has an affair.  At least, that's what a lot of people tell themselves.

We've actually seen quite a few laws throughout Leviticus which detail the strict punishments for a man who sleeps with another's wife or who rapes a woman.  There are many other sexual restrictions specifically written to men ("If a man sleeps with...").  This is the first I've seen regarding a married woman (Leviticus had only laws regarding single women or women who were promised, but hadn't yet married).

It's amazing how often we hear people making the same mistake the serpent made in Eden.  He truncated the Lord's words and then made up some cockamamie justification for why it's okay to do something that everyone involved knew was wrong.  This unfortunately happens more and more every day.

My advice would be to look at God's Word and try to understand the basic underlying principles: love, justice, peace, courage, etc.  This particular section about a married woman's punishment in the case of adultery directly appeals to our need for commitment, honesty, and faithfulness.  These are true and necessary for both men and women, regardless of whether men are mentioned in the law or not.

Question of the Day:

Are there any bible verses or biblical themes that bother you for specific reasons?  Perhaps you're struggling with the balance between seeming opposites, such as tolerance versus purity?  I would encourage you to re-read any passages that frustrate you, and look for common underlying themes.

Prayer of the Day:

Help me to find the balance between tolerance and purity, between commitment and freedom, between justice and mercy.  Help me to see the constants: faith, hope, and love.  Help me to always choose the path which follows these three constants, and thereby best serves You.  Amen.