Numbers 5:11-31
Q.1. What was the purpose of the adultery test? Why was the sanctity of marriage to be so important to God’s people? – (Num.5:11-31)
Few cases of adultery are simple. People will lie about their sins, unless exposed such as with David with Bathsheba (2 Sam.12:5-7). God established an ‘adultery test’ to be officiated by the priest, in order to exonerate the innocent and convict the guilty (Num.5:11-15). How this operated exactly is unsure, but this part of God’s revelation was intended to prevent adultery amongst God’s people, and to put an end to the destructive impact of jealousy (Num.5:16-31). The procedure would resolve the dispute. The difficulty in rebuilding trust, and the issue of jealousy, are major obstacles to the restoration of a harmonious relationship after adultery.
Q.2. How did God protect the innocent party against jealousy and false accusations? – (Num.5:14, 18, 25, 28-31)
It is difficult for us to relate to the provision of ‘the law of jealousy’, because in most modern-day cultures people choose the person they marry (c.f. Num.5:29). If either party has been coerced against their freewill then the marriage is annulled. Jealousy is often at the heart of an abusive relationship. Here God, in His kindness, made provision for the restoration of a relationship in cases of false accusations – if the woman has not defiled herself and is clean, she will then be free and conceive children (Num.5:28). Childlessness was considered a curse. The birth of children ensured that the family inheritance was passed on.