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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | what purpose served by this distinction? | Num 31:17 | DocTrinsograce | 175202 | ||
...in addition, the following might be useful: http://www.rationalchristianity.net/numbers31.html |
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2 | what purpose served by this distinction? | Num 31:17 | Parable | 175215 | ||
Thanks, the link is good, except it fails to address the killing of the boys. | ||||||
3 | what purpose served by this distinction? | Num 31:17 | mark d seyler | 175244 | ||
Hi Parable, It was understood that the boys would grow up desiring to avenge the killing of their people, and would turn against the Israelites. The girls would not. Love in Christ, Mark |
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4 | scriptural evidence? | Num 31:17 | Parable | 175248 | ||
That's a good working hypothesis. What scriptural evidence might you suggest to support this idea? |
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5 | scriptural evidence? | Num 31:17 | mark d seyler | 175250 | ||
This was simply the cultural norm. God did not explain Himself to Joshua. I suppose He didn't feel the need to. Love in Christ, Mark |
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6 | guiding principles? | Num 31:17 | Parable | 175251 | ||
So, are you suggesting this is an example of "situational ethics" based on "cultural relativity"? | ||||||
7 | guiding principles? | Num 31:17 | mark d seyler | 175255 | ||
I'm not suggesting anything. I'm certainly not suggesting "situational ethics". I am simply answering what may have been the reason. Scripture is silent, so we can only speculate. Love in Christ, Mark |
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8 | how to rightly divide the Word? | Num 31:17 | Parable | 175259 | ||
Regarding the expectation on boys that was not the same as for girls, you said "This was simply the cultural norm." This implies that cultural expectations influenced the decision to kill the boys and spare the girls. This implies that in a different culture, with different expectations, the outcome might be different. For example, if this were to occur in a society in which the girls would grow into women who feel empowered to act, they too might desire to exact revenge upon the Israelites and therefore would also be killed. Of course, this is speculation. However, if the expectation on the boys is the justification, then this is an example of pre-emptive self-defense, is it not? My point is that while cultural norms are always important to consider in attempting to understand what people do in the Name of God, how does one rightly divide the Word in order to distinguish actions in the context of cultural norms and those that transcend culture and are appropriate in every circumstance? |
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9 | how to rightly divide the Word? | Num 31:17 | mark d seyler | 175260 | ||
In discussing cultural contexts to Scripture, remember that we are merely speculating on why a particular command was given to a particular people. I think you are correct regarding your thoughts on the expectations between boys and girls at that time, in that place. I do tend to think of this as pre-emptive self-defense. To answer your question, I think a very strong indicator is to look at the type of passage, for instance whether it is narrative or didactic, and the context in which it occurs. A narrative of the wilderness wanderings of Israel that contains a specific command for a particular battle does not carry the same personal application as a didactic passage concerning the conduct of the believer in the the New Testament. There are also these kinds of statements in the Old Testament, such as: Micah 6:8 "O man, He has declared to you what is good. And what does Jehovah require of you, but to do justice, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" When you are talking about these orders issued by Moses, consider that the Bible declares of him: Numbers 12:6-8 (6) And He said, Now hear My words, If your prophet is of Jehovah, I will make Myself seen by him in an appearance; I will speak to him in a dream. (7) It is not so with My servant Moses! He is faithful in all My house. (8) I speak to him mouth to mouth, and by an appearance, and not in riddles; and he looks upon the form of Jehovah. So why have you not been afraid to speak against My servant, against Moses? One other thought I have on this topic. We are not neccessarily talking about "cultural expectations", since God knows the future. He may well have known that these boys would grow up to be warriors against Israel had they been allowed to live, and chose to take them home to Him instead. Love in Christ, Mark |
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