Then in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter. He said to them, ‘Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.’ (Mark 10: 10-12)
This tough and clear pronouncement may help us better understand how Jesus would have us deal with both relationships and sinfulness.
At the time there was no religious or civil dispute regarding divorce in case of adultery. Under the law of Moses adultery was a clearly acceptable cause for divorce. Remarriage was expected and honored.
Jesus seems to be saying that whether or not there is a divorce there will be adultery. The key issue is not how to reclaim a less complicated relationship but how to deal with the consequences and complications.
The Greek word for adultery is similar in legal and sexual meaning to our English usage. We don't know precisely what Jesus said in, probably, Aramaic. But the Hebrew Bible uses two terms for adultery.
The most common Biblical term is zanah. This literally means highly fed but is often used for sexual infidelity, prostitution, and especially cult prostitution. Less common - but more consistently used in the case of marriage - is na'aph.
The prophets Jeremiah and Hosea provide the most context for na'aph. The problem seems to be one of misplaced value, confused priorities, and undisciplined self-indulgence. These are all - clearly - sources of profound unhappiness.
But in the vast majority of cases the stories of the Hebrew Bible focus on how na'aph is responded to with patience, forgiveness, and committed love. This is most dramatic in Hosea where the prophet is instructed to marry a prostitute and forgive her continuing adulteries, "even as the Lord loves the sons of Israel, though they turn to other gods and love raisin cakes." (Hosea 3:1)
We are often foolish. We often fail to do the right thing. We often choose raisin cakes when offered a feast of great value. To be in relationship with such creatures means - inevitably - to be hurt and to hurt others. The helpful and healthy response is most often to forgive, to love, and to remain in relationship.
This tough and clear pronouncement may help us better understand how Jesus would have us deal with both relationships and sinfulness.
At the time there was no religious or civil dispute regarding divorce in case of adultery. Under the law of Moses adultery was a clearly acceptable cause for divorce. Remarriage was expected and honored.
Jesus seems to be saying that whether or not there is a divorce there will be adultery. The key issue is not how to reclaim a less complicated relationship but how to deal with the consequences and complications.
The Greek word for adultery is similar in legal and sexual meaning to our English usage. We don't know precisely what Jesus said in, probably, Aramaic. But the Hebrew Bible uses two terms for adultery.
The most common Biblical term is zanah. This literally means highly fed but is often used for sexual infidelity, prostitution, and especially cult prostitution. Less common - but more consistently used in the case of marriage - is na'aph.
The prophets Jeremiah and Hosea provide the most context for na'aph. The problem seems to be one of misplaced value, confused priorities, and undisciplined self-indulgence. These are all - clearly - sources of profound unhappiness.
But in the vast majority of cases the stories of the Hebrew Bible focus on how na'aph is responded to with patience, forgiveness, and committed love. This is most dramatic in Hosea where the prophet is instructed to marry a prostitute and forgive her continuing adulteries, "even as the Lord loves the sons of Israel, though they turn to other gods and love raisin cakes." (Hosea 3:1)
We are often foolish. We often fail to do the right thing. We often choose raisin cakes when offered a feast of great value. To be in relationship with such creatures means - inevitably - to be hurt and to hurt others. The helpful and healthy response is most often to forgive, to love, and to remain in relationship.
posted by Didymus | 6:27 AM
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