Biblical Understanding of Actions Unbecoming to Women

 

In the Bible, we see several situations early in Scriptures that reveal circumstances that are unbecoming to women.  It is difficult not to ask the question why?  Abram (later renamed to Abraham) instructed his wife Sarai (later renamed Sarah) to assume the role of sister rather than of wife when they enter Egypt.  Although true (Sarai was his half-sister), the information that he shared with Pharaoh was misleading.  We learn that Abraham did this fearing that the Egyptian Pharaoh would kill him desiring Sarah because of her beauty.  Pharaoh, discovering the truth sent both Abram and Sarai on their way.  At the conclusion of this story, we do not read that God corrected Abram as if this were a misdeed.  

     Later Abram's use of Hagar, for breeding purposes as suggested by Sarai led us to hear about Hagars' contempt toward her mistress.  Scripture doesn't tell us whether Hagars' contempt was due to being an unwilling participant, or perhaps her attitude arose because she was able to give Abram something that Sarai believed she could not.  We see Hagar pushed into the wilderness when Abram permitted Sarai to do with the servant as she desired.  However, we also see God intervene by telling Hagar to return regardless if there was mistreatment.  

     After Sarah had given birth to Isaac, we see her sending Hagar off to fend for herself again.  She became homeless and her son (Ishmael) fatherless at the age of thirteen.  Hagar cried to the Lord, and He heard her prayers and gave her insight to the plans He had made for them.

     Abraham repeated past behavior when he asked Sarah to be an object of deception again.  Whether she was willing or not, they deceived King Abimelek with the same story they had used in Egypt saying, "she is my sister."  We learn through Scriptures that Abimelek took Sarah.  Upon further reading that the word “took” is clarified.  It does not mean sexual indiscretion; however, the physical holding of Sarah was with Abimeleks' intention to take her fully as a wife.  God’s revelation through a dream prevented from Abimelek from acting inappropriately toward Sarah.  Abimelek was told to return Sarah to Abraham, or there would be dire consequences leading to his death.  At the same time, we learn that God shut the wombs of all women under Abimeleks' care for a period of time until Sarah was returned.  In human understanding, it is easy to conclude that Abraham's deception unfairly harmed women.  It is crucial when these thoughts arise that we assure ourselves that all wrongs will someday be made right and that Gods' ways are higher than our own.  Like Job, we cannot presume to understand the mind of God.
     What Scriptures reveal is that humanity has often not had complete confidence in Gods' protection.  Maybe we ourselves are struggling with anxiety over a personal circumstance that causes us not to trust God.  Ultimately we see that God is pleased with Abraham and commends him for his faith (Hebrews 11).  Abraham's trust increased when he took steps of obedience to sacrificially offer his one and only son (Genesis 22:12, 16-18) and God blessed him.  As we read the Bible, it is essential to understand that God is the ruler and the judge of all actions of humanity and we are not.  Isn't it easy for us to condemn what we do not understand? 
   In Genesis 22 we see that Abraham received wonderful news of becoming an uncle.  His brother Nahor through his wife Milkah (sister to Sarah) had begat eight sons.  Okay, begat is a little King James Version, but is there a better word?  Then we read, Nahor begat additional sons through his concubine whose name was Reumah.  We learn that men had multiple avenues through which they could multiply as well as derive pleasure.  I had to wonder about the nature of concubinage as I wanted to label it sinful so I looked up an explanation through a website I find reliable to pose this question,  “what is a concubine?” 
     According to the website Got Questions, “a concubine is a female who voluntarily enslaves and sells herself to a man primarily for his sexual pleasure.  Concubines in the patriarchal age and beyond did not have equal status as a wife.  A concubine could not marry her master because of her slave status, although, for her, the relationship was exclusive and ongoing.  Sometimes concubines were used to bear children for men whose wives were barren.”  They go on to say that because most women in ancient times were unskilled or uneducated and that choosing this lifestyle was more than likely a form of survival.
     We may never truly understand the reasoning behind actions that appear to be unbecoming to a woman.  Jesus treated all women with respect, many of whom atrocities had been committed.   Referring to the story of the “Sinful Woman” (as it is labeled in my Bible) found in Luke chapter 7 Jesus speaks to the Pharisee named Simon saying, “Do you see this woman?” (verse 44).  Jesus recognized her value and proclaimed the actions that proceed out of her heart to serve Him greater than the actions that had proceeded from the heart of His host who had not honored Him.  Following this account, we read in Luke 8 that Jesus is teaching in parables when his disciples ask him to explain them.   Jesus explains, “For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.  Therefore, consider carefully how you listen.” (Luke 8:17-18a) As we read (or listen) to the truth found in Scriptures, Jesus reveals that we will receive answers to our questions.  I gain comfort in His promises.