Exodus 21:9 If he selects her for his son, he must grant her the rights of a daughter.
Yesterday’s impotent anger at the verses and commentary encouraged me to keep digging, keep searching, so I reached out to a friend who has much more education in Biblical studies to try to move past the anger, as that’s not where God wants me to stay.
Exodus 21:10 If he marries another woman, he must not deprive the first one of her food, clothing and marital rights.
My friend shared a quote by Peter Enns, “God lets His children tell the story.” Exodus 21 was written by a certain group, in a certain situation, at a certain time and place in history. God doesn’t change, but people certainly do. If God lets His children tell the story, then our humanity–good and bad–is going to creep into our telling. But as long as we are focused on God, He can use it and use us to shine His light.
Exodus 21:11 If he does not provide her with these three things, she is to go free, without any payment of money.
Precious Savior, Thank You for the nudge to keep digging, keep searching when scripture makes me so angry. Thank You for the rock solid knowledge that You are the God of love, not division, not hierarchy, not patriarchy. Help me, daily, to draw a little closer to You so I can keep telling Your story as I understand it. Amen.
Exodus 21:12 “Anyone who strikes a person with a fatal blow is to be put to death.
Have a blessed day.