Protecting Lineages

Protecting Lineages

Exodus 21: ⁷ “And if a man sells his daughter to be a female slave, she shall not go out as the male slaves do. ⁸ If she does not please her master, who has betrothed her to himself, then he shall let her be redeemed. He shall have no right to sell her to a foreign people, since he has dealt deceitfully with her. ⁹ And if he has betrothed her to his son, he shall deal with her according to the custom of daughters. ¹⁰ If he takes another wife, he shall not diminish her food, her clothing, and her marriage rights. ¹¹ And if he does not do these three for her, then she shall go out free, without paying money.

 

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GOD continued with HIS conversation with Moses by telling him rules of deceitful dowries and divorce.

 

My Observations:

• GOD seemed to be protecting the lineage of CHRIST and the lineage of people who would point people to HIM.
• GOD told Noah there was evil on the boat, knowing that a mindset of conquering people was present.
• Women rarely owned land and animals, used for dowries and divorce settlements, due to the lack of protection from the mindset of Canaan.

 

This is a very complicated set of scriptures that needs a broader view than the words. GOD loves people and loves freedom withing CHRIST. HE made Adam and Eve as free people and told them to multiply that freedom. Satan tricked Adam and Eve into becoming something different by obtaining knowledge they could not handle.

 

The knowledge of good versus evil could be manipulated into something used by those who feel “only the strong survive.” Out of the people of Canaan bore raiders, thieves and liars who would steal land and people and enslave them to do harsh work or provide pleasure.

 

GOD seemed to want to protect the lineage of CHRIST that was laced with adultery and brokenness. HE was also protecting the lineage of people who would serve CHRIST and point the way to HIS ultimate reign.

 

But what does this have to do with a dowry or a divorce settlement? GOD did not want women, who could not take care of themselves at the time due to “customs”, to be left destitute. I believe each rule seen needs to have JESUS at the core for understanding.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the rules for protecting wives and ex-wives?
• What promises has GOD given you to protect you?
• Are your customs and traditions pointing people to CHRIST as the Savior and daily leader?

 

Value Proposition

Value Proposition

Genesis 29: ¹⁵ Then Laban said to Jacob, “Because you are my relative, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, what should your wages be?” ¹⁶ Now Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. ¹⁷ Leah’s eyes were delicate, but Rachel was beautiful of form and appearance.

 

¹⁸ Now Jacob loved Rachel; so he said, “I will serve you seven years for Rachel your younger daughter.”

 

¹⁹ And Laban said, “It is better that I give her to you than that I should give her to another man. Stay with me.” ²⁰ So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed only a few days to him because of the love he had for her.

 

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Human ownership had arisen as a custom. Handmaids were property of the wives and herdsmen were property of the flock owners. Laban asked Jacob a precarious question. “What should your wages be?” Jacob had to show that he valued Rachel.

 

My Observations:

• Jacob knew there was a lot at stake in him getting married.
• Jacob desired to marry Rachel.
• Jacob met Rachel first and had sheep herding in common with her, but he also knew about Leah.

 

Since Jacob knew about Leah, he may have also known that a cultural tradition was in place that stated the eldest daughter must be married first, then the next and the next. Jacob tried to circumvent tradition by proposing a large number of years that he would work for Laban to get permission to marry Rachel.

 

Seven years was nothing to Jacob because he was able to interact with Rachel., He had conversations with her and worked side by side with her for seven years tending Laban’s sheep. This seemed very easy to Jacob. But he did not know what was coming.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD mention Leah’s “delicate” or “Weak” eyes to Moses?
• Have you ever valued something so much that you were willing to work for it?
• Have you ever bargained with GOD, trying to get your way, by telling HIM how many years you’ve done something?