FAMILY LIFE AND RELATIONSHIP --- PART 3

MARITAL SECURITY
The security of a wife’s position improved considerably when she produced her first child, particularly if it was a son. A woman’s primary duty to her husband and his family was procreation -- Genesis 1:28; Genesis 9:1 -- and until she gave birth to a son, she feared displacement by a second wife, called a concubine. Polygamous marriages were by no means rare, especially in wealthy families. They resulted in two ill-defined family groups, controlled by the mothers but under the overall authority of fathers. As one might imagine, there were inevitable jealousies and frictions. The legal status of a woman was consistently poor in Bible times. With no evidence at all, a husband could accuse his wife of adultery, and she was compelled to face a trial by ordeal. She had to abase herself by taking an oath, eating dust and a cereal offering, and drinking bitter water. In a sense, she made herself sick. A priest, meanwhile, made pronouncements regarding the dire results that would come to her if she were guilty: she would become an outcast with no hope of survival. But if she maintained her serenity, and if her -thigh did not rot nor her abdomen swell- she was considered to have proved her innocence. In such an event she would go free, and her husband bore no blame for his false accusation -- Numbers 5:12-31. If a woman took a vow, it was legal only as long as her father or husband approved it. If she became a widow, the vow still remained in force and could be used against her -- Numbers 30:3-15. A woman in Israel was always under the protection of a male. It could be her father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, husband, or some other member of her husband’s family. She had few legal rights and, in contrast to Babylonian traditions, could not inherit at her husband’s death. It is small wonder that widows were classed with orphans and the poor. A childless widow could on occasion return to her father’s family -- Genesis 38:11; Leviticus 22:13; Ruth 1:8, thus becoming subject again to the authority of her father. A Hebrew widow could also remain with her late husband’s family. She would then come under the protection of her -redeemer- a male relative of her husband’s family who assumed responsibility for her. If a husband died leaving a woman childless, the husband’s brother had the responsibility to marry her. Their first baby boy together was then regarded as the heir of the first husband. It was normal for a brother to accept the obligation for such a marriage --levirate. It could be refused on various grounds, but such refusal was considered dishonourable, for it was a man’s duty to perpetuate his brother’s name and to safeguard the family fortune. In addition to the marriage, he was perhaps involved in avenging the family reputation, and he had to ensure that family property increased and remained within family control. If an Israelite fell into debt and was forced to sell himself into slavery, normally one of his relatives would -redeem- him -- Leviticus 25:47-49. If a poor Israelite had to sell his land or his house, the redeemer had the right of first refusal over all other prospective purchasers. It was as much his duty as his right to prevent family property from passing into the hands of strangers -- v 25. The prophet, Jeremiah, bought his cousin Hanamel’s field under similar circumstances -- Jeremiah 32:6-15. The most familiar Old Testament story of a childless widow, her -redeemer- and their levirate marriage is recorded in the book of Ruth. One of Naomi’s two sons married Ruth. When both of Naomi’s sons died, Naomi left her home in Moab and returned to Bethlehem to sell some of the family property. Ruth, as a widow, returned with Naomi to her husband’s family. Although a close relative was prepared to buy the land and keep it in the family, he was not ready to marry Ruth as well, which was part of his responsibility -- Ruth 3:12; Ruth 4:4. He knew that a son of that union would be deemed a son of the deceased, bearing the dead husband’s name, and thus ultimately inheriting the land -- Ruth 4:4-6. The next relative in order of kinship was Boaz, who became Ruth’s -redeemer. He was prepared to accept the double obligation of purchasing the land and marrying Ruth -- Ruth 4:9-10. This principle illustrates the role Yeshua plays in our own lives. He is our -Redeemer- Who rescues us from our helpless state. He is our Boaz - a Gentle Saviour Who loves us and grants us new life.