2. Marriage in the Time of Christ
6. THE TIME OF CHRIST
The prostitute, who served men in their perceived needs, became the poor man's substitute for the extra wives that he could not purchase. She was regarded as a figure of shame. However her activity did not affect paternity rights and patriarchal family structure, so she became a thing of religious neutrality and a social necessity. Her role was strengthened, although marginalised on the edge of society, as monogamy became the norm and she became a fact of life, a safety valve against abuse and rape, rather as prostitution is regarded today. We know that at the time of Christ the men were still visiting harlots, like their father Judah had done, (Genesis 38), and stoning women taken in adultery. Prostitution did, and still does, advance the cause of those who wish to put women into one of two roles, mysteriously sexual, or a good housekeeper. Surely God's helpmeet for Adam can blend the two roles -dual roles.
However, nearly 2,000 years down the track, at the time of Christ, there was at last a way out for Tamar, for she did not have to have children to be legitimate, (Genesis 38) and Dinah (Genesis 34) who could never have joined the marriage market after her humiliation, could remain single with honour. Up until then these women had no role. Jesus put a value on women that had been missing for all those years, and all the states of womanhood were of value, provided they accepted him. The Samaritan woman, foreigner, cohabiting out of wedlock, with multiple husbands, was told great revelations and later converted many of her countrymen. Jesus conceded her arguments that redemption was for non Jews as well, in John 4. Why, in this new era, circumcision was of no covenantal use, women could even be baptised, and make their own covenant relationship, a major and wondrous step forward for women.
In Christ’s teachings, Jesus turned the negative prohibition of adultery into a positive reaffirming of the true Eden marriage, and called it good and holy, and the half slave like status of women did vanish and a new concept of wifehood came into view. The statements of our Lord protected women, and awakened men to their responsibilities. He denounced the lustful and loveless men who caused the adulteress to sin. He forgave the harlot, if she loved him, and repented of her ways. Jesus foresaw a society where these reformed women could lead meaningful, forgiven lives and where unjust relationships had no place. Throughout history men have sought to shift the blame, for wanton ways, to women, and many aggrieved women have joined in the chorus. His message is godly, and not the mere man's excuse, of Genesis 3:12, "that she did tempt me and I did eat". Jesus taught the men that they were not free agents, but had responsibilities, and so the doctrine of a husband's obligation was born. Jew, Greek and Roman divorce laws made divorce easy, so many must have been appalled by the surprising statements that a man's wife was not a man's property, nor for his amusement, and that his wife was his wife for good. She was one flesh with him, and for loving care. He made it clear that he did not mean that man could ill use Genesis 2:23, that "bone of my bone, and flesh of my flesh, I can jolly well do what I like with her"
*************************************************************************** For a moment in time, the Christian world stood still and accepted the full import and holiness of the Seventh Command, where marriage was spoken of as a divinely bestowed institution.
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7. TURNING BACK
However for the next near 2,000 years, sin and bad habits, and lust prevailed again, and because those who saw pleasure as a horror any expressions of sexuality were forbidden. It is only in our own day that language has allowed us to express sexuality, and research has shown that dysfunctional sexuality, leads to dysfunctional behaviour and lives are impaired.
