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Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Family Values

I am working on a small group study about family values and how scripture prioritizes discipleship to Christ over the family (luke 12:49ff)
One really interesting book with this regard is Sacred Marriage

Then I came to Deut. 24:5

NRSV: "When a man is newly married, he shall not go out with the army or be charged with any related duty. He shall be free at home one year to be happy with the wife he has married."

A few things I have noticed with regards to this verse.
1) "Happy" more closely means "glad" or "pleased" and seems to have a sexual subtly here--that no where else in scripture does it contain such usage. Typically it is used to describe religious rejoicing.

2) It appears that the newly married man is freed (made innocent) from social obligations for one year.

However, perhaps because this is a limited freedom, the idea is that building a strong marriage core for that first year will allow the man to be better at his social responsibilities.

4 comments:

Unknown said...

Gotta love the Bible, eh?

Unknown said...

It also might mean that he has 1 year to get his wife pregnant so that in case he dies in battle, he'll leave an heir.

wes said...

Don,
I agree...I do not think scripture has any concept of our "make marriage work" therapeutic family values. That is why I wonder if "happy" is sexual/procreation focused.
NIBC seems to concur as well.

Unknown said...

Not surprising that NIBC & I might be trucking the same road. They're one of my fav commentaries.

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