Genesis 12
This is a short chapter, so I'll be quick and dirty about it. Abram, aka Abraham - the great ancestor, has been instructed by God to leave his father's house and his country. He takes with him his wife (Sarai), slaves, livestock, possessions along with his nephew, Lot and all his family, slaves, livestock and possessions. After passing through several places, Abram heads to Egypt. Just before entering Egypt, he says to his wife, "I know well you are a woman, beautiful in appearance... Say you are my sister, so that it may go well with me because of you, and that my life may be spared on your account" (vv.11b-13).
As the story goes, indeed the Egyptians were quite taken by Sarai and when the officials saw her, they reported the beauty to Pharaoh. Consequently, Sarai was taken into Pharaoh's house and for her sake, Abram was dealt with rather nicely, receiving sheep, oxen, male/female asses and male and female slaves. Sound familiar? The woman is taken into the "house" and her man/pimp is rewarded/paid - for what exactly - her company, services maybe?
In today's economy, what Abram received on account of Sarai would be the equivalent to a rather nice chunk of change for the exchange and company of a woman. My, my, my... Could the sacred text also be a basis to argue for legalizing prostitution? Could the beginning of the "oldest profession" have gotten its start from the bible? Say it ain't so!
And where is God in all of this? Right smack dab in the middle of it! "But the Lord afflicted Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram's wife." Ah yes, the rest of the story! It is clear and has been clear from the beginning, 'man's' contempt and lack of care and respect of and for women. But, God is also clear about the worth and treatment of women. Here we see a divine response as God "afflicts Pharaoh and his house" on account of Sarai. Later we will learn that God will arguably destroy several cities on account of the mistreatment of a woman. Who'd a thunk it?
© Dorinda G. Henry, 2010
THEOLOGIA HABITUS EST!
This is a short chapter, so I'll be quick and dirty about it. Abram, aka Abraham - the great ancestor, has been instructed by God to leave his father's house and his country. He takes with him his wife (Sarai), slaves, livestock, possessions along with his nephew, Lot and all his family, slaves, livestock and possessions. After passing through several places, Abram heads to Egypt. Just before entering Egypt, he says to his wife, "I know well you are a woman, beautiful in appearance... Say you are my sister, so that it may go well with me because of you, and that my life may be spared on your account" (vv.11b-13).
As the story goes, indeed the Egyptians were quite taken by Sarai and when the officials saw her, they reported the beauty to Pharaoh. Consequently, Sarai was taken into Pharaoh's house and for her sake, Abram was dealt with rather nicely, receiving sheep, oxen, male/female asses and male and female slaves. Sound familiar? The woman is taken into the "house" and her man/pimp is rewarded/paid - for what exactly - her company, services maybe?
In today's economy, what Abram received on account of Sarai would be the equivalent to a rather nice chunk of change for the exchange and company of a woman. My, my, my... Could the sacred text also be a basis to argue for legalizing prostitution? Could the beginning of the "oldest profession" have gotten its start from the bible? Say it ain't so!
And where is God in all of this? Right smack dab in the middle of it! "But the Lord afflicted Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram's wife." Ah yes, the rest of the story! It is clear and has been clear from the beginning, 'man's' contempt and lack of care and respect of and for women. But, God is also clear about the worth and treatment of women. Here we see a divine response as God "afflicts Pharaoh and his house" on account of Sarai. Later we will learn that God will arguably destroy several cities on account of the mistreatment of a woman. Who'd a thunk it?
© Dorinda G. Henry, 2010
THEOLOGIA HABITUS EST!
Is this another example of a woman being used for a man's gain without her willingness and/or self gain. When do we, women, start taking our own value to the bank? I'm just asking for other's opinions of contemporary times, without the deep research of biblical scripture. Call you say?
ReplyDeleteTerri: Yes, this is another example of someone else gaining on account of a woman. Women will begin to place a higher value on our own talents and bodies when we stop allowing others to define us. When we, as women get to a place where we realize we were made whole and complete without any missing parts or "ribs." ;) When we arrive at that place, we will begin to see God in our own image, we like Ntozake Shange will say; "i found god in myself & i loved her/i loved her fiercely."
ReplyDeleteVirtuous Women go figure
ReplyDelete