The claim that the Bible, and by extension God, endorses the taking of women as sex slaves in the Old Testament is a serious accusation that requires careful examination. This complex issue demands we consider historical context, the concept of divine accommodation, the progression of biblical ethics, and ultimately, the example of Jesus Christ.
Biblical Passages in Question
Critics often point to several Old Testament passages to support this objection:
1. Numbers 31:17-18 - Israelites instructed to kill Midianite males and non-virgin women, but keep virgin girls alive.
2. Deuteronomy 20:10-14 - Rules for warfare, including taking women as captives.
3. Deuteronomy 21:10-14 - Instructions for marrying a woman captured in battle.
4. Judges 21:10-24 - Israelites attacking Jabesh-Gilead and taking virgin girls.
5. Exodus 21:7-11 - Rules for selling a daughter as a servant.
6. Zechariah 14:1-2 - Prophetic passage mentioning women being "ravished" in an attack on Jerusalem.
These passages, troubling to modern readers, require careful interpretation within their historical and theological context.
Divine Accommodation and Progressive Revelation
The framework of divine accommodation suggests that God, in His wisdom, chose to reveal His will progressively, working within and gradually reforming existing cultural norms. This approach recognizes several key points:
1. Ancient Near Eastern Context: The laws and practices described often represented improvements over prevailing norms of surrounding cultures.
2. Gradual Moral Development: God worked within existing cultural frameworks to gradually elevate moral standards.
3. Protection for the Vulnerable: Many of these laws provided a degree of protection and rights for captives and women that was progressive for the time.
4. Preparation for Fuller Revelation: These early stages laid groundwork for more comprehensive ethical teachings to come.
For example, Deuteronomy 21:10-14, while permitting the marriage of captive women, also provided them with protections including a month of mourning and the right to be freed if the marriage was unsatisfactory. This was a significant step forward in a time when captives typically had no rights at all.
The Trajectory of Biblical Ethics
The broader trajectory of biblical teaching moves towards equality and respect for all humans as image bearers. This progression suggests earlier passages should be understood as part of a journey towards a higher ethical standard, not as God's final word on human relationships.
Jesus: The Ultimate Revelation of God's Character
Jesus' treatment of women provides the clearest picture of God's true attitude towards gender and human dignity:
1. Equal Dignity: Jesus consistently treated women with respect, speaking to them publicly and teaching them.
2. Protection from Exploitation: He actively defended women against sexual exploitation and double standards.
3. Theological Engagement: Jesus engaged women in serious theological discussions, affirming their intellectual and spiritual equality.
4. Valuing the Marginalized: He often praised and elevated women who were socially marginalized.
5. Challenging Patriarchal Norms: Jesus frequently challenged cultural norms that devalued women.
This treatment stands in sharp contrast to the idea of God endorsing the sexual exploitation of women. It suggests that earlier, troubling passages should be interpreted through the lens of Jesus' life and teachings, which consistently affirmed the full dignity and worth of women.
Conclusion
While certain Old Testament passages remain challenging to modern readers, interpreting them as divine endorsement of sexual slavery misses important contextual and theological nuances. A more holistic reading of Scripture reveals a God who consistently moves His people towards greater justice, compassion, and respect for human dignity.
The concept of divine accommodation helps us understand how passages that appear problematic to modern readers could have represented steps towards justice and compassion in their original context. Meanwhile, the example of Jesus provides the clearest picture of God's character and His ultimate will for human relationships.
This perspective invites us to wrestle with difficult texts while maintaining faith in God's ultimate goodness and the Bible's overarching message of redemption and human dignity. It challenges us to read Scripture not as a flat text, but as a progressive revelation culminating in the radical love and equality taught and embodied by Jesus Christ.
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