Numbers 5 - Confession and Restitution for Sin | Bible Podcast, David Alley, Peace Christian Church
The Bible by David Alley · David Alley
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Show Notes
In this video listen to Numbers 5 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.
In Numbers 5 we find the test for an unfaithful wife. This seems unfair to modern people, but this is actually remarkable progressive and this video will explain why.
In the ancient near east culture at the time, trial by ordeal was common. Women suspected of adultery could be thrown into water with weights attached. If they floated, they must be guilty, but if they drowned, alas they were innocent. Or they could be tested by fire. Their hand was plunged into the flames and if it burned, they were guilty, but if it wasn’t burned they were innocent and could be released. In these cases everything was against them.
But this Bible passage flips it around completely, putting the matter in the hands of God, not in the hands of people. A miracle is required to prove guilt, rather than prove innocent. And in the case that the woman is vindicated, which is more likely, the jealous husband is shown to have unfounded suspicion, and not trust his own wife.
This was a huge step forward because it protected women’s rights. Dr Creasy says it should be called the test of a jealous husband, not the test for an unfaithful wife.
If God didn’t put things like this in place back then, we would never think the way we did now, about equality and the like. These type of rules have changed the way the world thinks and brought us to today. We should be amazed at our God who knew what was needed at what time.
Finally, symbolically we are the Lord’s wife, and must be careful of being unfaithful to Him. Such unfaithfulness will eat us away from the inside and make us fruitless.