Studies In Theology - 12/07/2006 (Virgin Girls As Plunder? & A Nagging Efficiency In Communication?)

STUDIES IN THEOLOGY;

Popular Christianity 12/07/2006

Study Notes And Journal Entries,

An Observation

By

David A. Archer

02/15/1968

(r.f.p.p.s.h.)

12/07/2006

31:25 describes the plunder being taken in the destruction of the Midianites - in which was included human captives; virgin girls no less.

This all was divided according to the instructions presented, presumably.

Besides indicating the use of slavery at this point, it raises another question in my mind; What would priests do with virgin girls? ~ (I can imagine what I would do in that situation with virgin girls given the configuration of the tribes) ~

It is stated that Moses took 1 of every 50 prisoners and gave them to the Levites, 32 of the captives are said to have been given to the Lord via Eleazar the priest. ~

The human captives are counted just as the live stock are in this instance. ~

The generals then made additional offerings to the Tabernacle (the Lord) - through Moses and the priest. ~

It was said that this 'was done as a reminder to the 'Lord' that the people of Israel belong to him.' ~

This is a definite change in tone. it is almost as though such a statement infers that their actions were the Lords responsibility! ~

It further differs in that all previous sort of action(s), were to remind the people of that covenant. ~

It almost indicates a competition of reminding so to speak. The people of Israel doing things to remind the Lord - and conversely, the Lord instructing certain actions to remind the people of Israel. ~

This combined with the incessant guilt trip complaints about having been 'better off dead somewhere else' so to speak, then tends almost to liken itself in the imagination, to a nagging old couple - niether being one or the other, male or female in that respect. ~

Amusing thought, no less. ~

Chapter 32, Book Of Numbers describes another pronounced divergence within the Israelites. Reuben and Gad found land on the East side of the Jordan river which they wanted instead of that, with the others, on the West side.

Something else of note, is that those two tribes were previously assigned to the South of the Tabernacle. ~

This definitely indicates a social separation as well as progress away from nomadic tendencies - toward cultivation - in the reasoning being that concerning domestication of various sorts. Including fortification of towns for wives and children. ~

In 32:04, another noticeable difference occurs in the people of Israel, now being referred to as the community of Israel. ~

It continues to describe battles yet to be fought by the Israelites in the interest of procuring the land promised them, and it does so in sort of a third person reference pertaining to the Lord in statements such as the Lords battles, and the Lord has driven out his enemies - the Lord conquers the land so on, and the like. ~

Just as a note; it isn't until this haggling deal of sorts, that any reason is presented for battle and progress to be for the benefit of females particularly. That is to say, the reason(s) seem now divided pertaining to battle and progress, though still under the initial single point of focus in a larger social sense - being the Lord. ~

In 32:33, it describes entire kingdoms now being owned by the Israelites - the whole land and its cities as it states in one passage. ~

It then continues to state that towns were even built entirely, as well as some being re-built which were previously destroyed. Most definitely indicating a pronounced lack in nomadic aspects at this point. then further demonstrating perhaps the non-chronological/linear traits within this work at this point. ~

Chapter 33 is a written account of the places the Israelites camped after leaving Egypt. (41 separate moves if memory serves)~

In reviewing this written account of travel - it again piques my interest to compare the dates prescribed for noted ceremony and celebration of the Lunar calendar, with the modern calendar we use commonly within society. ~

Briefly it states that they set out from Ramsese in early spring - on the 15th day of the first month - after the first passover. ~

Immediately, as previously mentioned - this celebration could be likened to Mardi Gras (as previously mentioned) I believe. ~