Day 56: Jealous Husbands

Today's readings: Numbers 5, Deuteronomy 5, and Psalm 90.

I. In the fifth chapter of Numbers, the focus by Moses is on purity, restitution, and trust within the community of Israel while they are in the wilderness.

• Purity (5:1-4): God tells Moses to remove anyone who is ceremonially unclean (those with skin diseases like leprosy or with bodily discharges) from the camp. This isn't about punishment, but it is about maintaining holiness because God’s presence is among them.
• Restitution (5:5-10): If anyone is guilty of "breaking faith with the Lord," they shall confess it, make restitution either "to him to whom he did the wrong," or barring that to a kinsman, but if none are available then to the priest, who shall make a sacrifice of atonement for him.
• Trust (5:11-31): In an unusual passage, a ritual is described for a jealous husband who suspects his wife of adultery but has no proof. Before a priest, this ritual is performed wherein the woman drinks "bitter water" and the outcome is left to divine judgment. This odd trial by ordeal (very common then) seems to be to prevent vigilante justice and leaves judgment in God’s hands rather than human accusation.

II. Deuteronomy 5 contains a renewal of the covenant at Sinai (5:1-5), where Moses restates the Ten Commandments to the new generation before entering the Promised Land (5:6-21). A notable difference from that in Exodus 20:1-17, is the Sabbath command which is tied to Israel’s deliverance from Egypt, emphasizing gratitude for redemption. Moses reminded them that they had asked him to be their mediator for God's will at Mt. Sinai (5:22-27). The Lord grants this request (5:28-33) and the chapter ends with an exhortation to not turn away from God's commands, as obedience to Him leads to life and blessing in the land (5:28-33).

The BIY Companion, Vol 1, has some interesting comments on this:

In the ancient world, a woman was considered her husband's property, and he could do whatever he wanted to her. This tension between men and women - where men are tempted to dominate and use women - is one of the consequences of the Fall. In the Bible, we see God limiting a man's total authority over his wife in favor of a higher law. Since the Israelites have just been set free from slavery, they do not know how to live as free people, so God is teaching them. They are shown a new way of treating jealousy between spouses. This is a definite step toward greater equality and respect between men and women. (p. 122)

III. Psalm 90 is another one of lament. The Ignatius Bible notes:

The speaker confesses that God is eternal (90:1-2), complains that human life is short and burdened by troubles (90:3-12), and cries out for God's mercy, pleading for some measure of happiness in this life (90:13-17). (p. 909)

This is probably one of the most human-sounding psalms I've read thus far in this series. Most people can identify with what the speaker says in it and usually pleads for the same.

That's all for today!