Reading: Chapter 3: The Twisted Webs of Fallen Sexuality: An Honest Look from the Old Testament

Chapter 3 The Twisted Webs of Fallen Sexuality: An Honest Look from the Old Testament

Part One

The Old Testament presents a raw and unfiltered account of humanity's fallen state, offering a profound understanding of our struggles and shortcomings. In particular, the Old Testament does not shy away from addressing the complexities and challenges surrounding the practice of sexual experience. This honest portrayal serves several crucial purposes. One of which is to highlight the desperate need for a Savior. This chapter will begin by examining why understanding the truth about fallen humanity's struggles with sexuality in the Old Testament points to the anticipation of the Redeemer, Jesus Christ. In the second part of this chapter, we will look at some of the stories of fallen sexuality. 

1. The Reality of Human Sinfulness:

The Old Testament paints a realistic picture of human sinfulness, acknowledging that all individuals are prone to moral failings and vulnerabilities. From the accounts of deceit, adultery, incest, and abuse, we see the consequences of humanity's fallen nature. This unfiltered portrayal reminds us that we cannot save ourselves and need a divine solution to overcome our inherent brokenness.

2. The Promises of Restoration:

Amidst the narratives of fallen sexuality, the Old Testament contains promises of restoration and redemption. God, in His mercy and love, offers hope to His people. For example, in Genesis 3:15, God declares that the woman's seed will crush the serpent's head, foreshadowing the coming of a Messiah who will bring victory over sin and evil. These promises create an expectation of a deliverer who will restore humanity to its intended state. 

3. Prophecies of the Messiah:

Throughout the Old Testament, there are numerous prophecies concerning the arrival of a Savior or Messiah. Isaiah 9:6-7 speaks of a child who will be called "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Micah 5:2 prophesies that this Redeemer will be born in Bethlehem. These prophecies generate a sense of anticipation among the Israelites as they look forward to the fulfillment of God's promise to send a Messiah who will bring salvation and transformation.

4. Types and Foreshadowing:

Within the Old Testament, various types and foreshadowing point to Jesus Christ. For example, with its animal offerings, the sacrificial system foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, where He bore the sins of humanity. The Passover lamb symbolizes Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the world's sins. These shadows and symbols prepare the hearts of God's people for the coming Messiah.

5. The Fulfillment in Jesus Christ:

The arrival of Jesus Christ in the New Testament fulfills the promises and prophecies of the Old Testament. He is the long-awaited Savior who brings redemption, forgiveness, and restoration to fallen humanity. Jesus' life, death, and resurrection offer the ultimate solution to the brokenness and sin depicted in the Old Testament. Through His sacrifice, Jesus provides a path to salvation and reconciliation with God, transforming lives and offering hope to all who believe in Him.

Conclusion:

The Old Testament's honest portrayal of fallen humanity's struggles, including sexual falseness, is a powerful reminder of our need for a Savior. It points to the anticipation of Jesus Christ. He fulfills the promises, prophecies, and types depicted throughout the Old Testament. Through His redemptive work, Jesus offers forgiveness, healing, and transformation to all who turn to Him. As we delve into the Old Testament narratives, let us recognize the depth of our fallen nature and gratefully embrace the grace and salvation found in our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Part Two

Now, let us venture into the complex and unsettling landscape of fallen sexuality in the Old Testament. It is a solemn journey, to be sure, but one that will clarify our understanding of this significant aspect of human existence.

1. Power and Pleasure: A Destructive Dance:

Our trek starts in Genesis, specifically Genesis 6:4-6. Here, we witness a chilling transformation of power and pleasure – a heady mixture that seizes humanity and leads to evil thoughts that saturate their hearts, culminating in divine sorrow. It reveals how fallen sexuality is not a mere matter of personal desires. Still, it is intricately intertwined with the abuse of power and the misuse of pleasure for self-serving ends.

2. The Shadow of Homosexual Abuse:

Our path takes us next to Genesis 19:5 and Judges 19:22 – the chilling tales of Sodom and Gomorrah and the Benjamite men of Gibeah. These are not stories for the faint-hearted. They deal with homosexual abuse, an ugly underbelly of human perversion. 

3. The Unsettling Reality of Incest:

Then comes Genesis 19:34-36, a profoundly unsettling narrative of incest between Lot and his daughters. An act born out of desperation to continue their lineage, the daughters engage in sex with their father. This narrative highlights the depths of moral decay that can set in when societal norms collapse.

4. A Dishonest Dance in Marriage:

Next, we look at Genesis 12:10-20 - Abam and Sarai in Egypt:

In the face of a severe famine in Canaan, Abram took Sarai and traveled to Egypt. Fearing that the Egyptians would kill him because of Sarai's incredible beauty, he told the Egyptians that Sarai was his sister. As a result, when Pharaoh's officials saw her, they praised her to Pharaoh, and she was taken into his palace.

God, however, protected Sarai by sending plagues to Pharaoh and his household. When Pharaoh realized what had happened, he reprimanded Abram for his deception and sent him away, along with Sarai and all the possessions they had acquired in Egypt.

Further, we look at Genesis 20:1-18 - Abraham and Sarah in Gerar:

Later in their journey, Abraham and Sarah arrived in Gerar. As before, Abraham introduced Sarah as his sister out of fear that he would be killed for her. Abimelek, the king of Gerar, took Sarah to be his wife. However, God appeared to Abimelek in a dream before anything happened and warned him that Sarah was a married woman.

Abimelek confronted Abraham about the lie. Like Pharaoh, he rebuked Abraham for his deception. Abraham explained that he thought there was no fear of God in Gerar and that they would kill him because of his wife. Also, he justified his lie by saying technically, Sarah was indeed his half-sister, as they shared the same father. After returning Sarah to Abraham, Abimelek gave him livestock, servants, and permission to settle anywhere in his land.

In both situations, Abraham's fear led him to put Sarah in potentially compromising positions. Yet, God intervened to protect Sarah and returned her to Abraham. These events underscore the complexity of Abraham and Sarah's relationship, the cultural dynamics of their time, and the divine protection that enveloped them.

5. Tangled in Power Dynamics and Inequity:

The narrative in Genesis 16 uncovers a tangled web of power, desire, and injustice involving Sarai, Abram, and Hagar. Sarai, barren, offers her servant Hagar to Abram. This story highlights the power imbalances and injustices within societal structures, calling us to strive for equity and consent in our relationships.

6. Deception and Exploitation:

Genesis 38 reveals a disturbing narrative involving Judah and Tamar. In a desperate attempt to continue her lineage, Tamar disguises herself as a prostitute to engage in sex with her father-in-law. This unsettling story brings to light the moral degradation of the time, emphasizing the critical role of honesty, consent, and respect in sexual encounters.

7. The Light of Leviticus:

Amid the chaos of fallen sexuality and societal decay, the Book of Leviticus emerges like a lighthouse, casting a steady beam of guidance. This text speaks to the prevalent moral decay of the Old Testament era, offering a moral compass to transform a nation of enslaved people into a moral, ethical society.

8. Boundaries Set in Leviticus:

Leviticus boldly outlines laws prohibiting various sexual practices that were rampant in the ancient world. These laws were the necessary boundaries to restore order and holiness in the Israelite society.

9. Forward into Understanding:

Through the lens of these Old Testament narratives, we gain crucial insights into healthy relationships, consent, power dynamics, and the sanctity of human intimacy in marriage. With earnest reflection and commitment to ethical principles, we can traverse the labyrinth of fallen sexuality, fostering relationships that honor each individual's inherent dignity and worth.

10. Other Old Testament Narratives – Echoes of Fallen Sexuality:

Echoes of fallen sexuality continue to resound in the Old Testament, featuring prominently in stories involving Eli's sons (1 Samuel 2:22), David and Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11-12), Amnon and Tamar (2 Samuel 13), and Hosea and Gomer (Book of Hosea). These stories serve as stark reminders of the destructive consequences of fallen sexuality but also as testaments to God's unfailing grace, mercy, and redemptive power.

For instance, David, God's chosen king, succumbs to his lust for Bathsheba, leading to adultery, murder, and a cascade of consequences reverberating through his family. Yet, even here, God's mercy is manifest – Nathan, the prophet, is sent to expose David's sin, and David is brought to sincere repentance through this confrontation.

In the narrative of Amnon and Tamar, we are shown the devastating fallout of sexual sin. Amnon, encouraged by his friend Jonadab, commits an atrocious act against his half-sister, Tamar. The repercussions of this sin echo through their lives, and their family descends into chaos.

Solomon, the son of King David, was known for his wisdom, wealth, and building projects, including the First Temple in Jerusalem. He also wrote several books in the Bible, like Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Songs.

The Song of Songs, also known as the Song of Solomon, stands out as it differs from other biblical texts. It's a collection of romantic and passionate poems shared between a bride and groom, celebrating their love and longing for each other. The book is full of vivid, poetic, and, at times, erotic language that exalts monogamous love between a man and a woman. It offers a view of sexuality that is joyful, respectful, and mutual within a committed relationship.

However, Solomon's personal life contrasted with the monogamy ideal celebrated in the Song of Songs. The Bible tells us that he had 700 wives and 300 concubines (1 Kings 11:3). Many of these marriages were political alliances, a common practice among kings at the time. But the Bible says these wives led Solomon astray: "As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the LORD his God" (1 Kings 11:4).

Solomon was fallen despite his wisdom and deep understanding of love and intimacy, as reflected in the Song of Songs. His sexual practice allowed his heart to be turned away from God due to his many wives. His story serves as a reminder that wisdom alone isn't enough; one must also stay devoted to God and His commands. It's also a testimony to the human capacity for contradiction: a man who could write so beautifully about love and intimacy could also lose his way so dramatically in his personal life.

The story of Hosea and Gomer provides a touching allegory of God's relationship with His people. Despite Gomer's repeated unfaithfulness, Hosea is commanded to forgive and accept her, just as God does with Israel, showcasing His boundless love and forgiveness.

These narratives illuminate the far-reaching consequences of fallen sexuality: shattered relationships, immeasurable pain, and societal upheaval. Yet amidst the heart-wrenching stories, God's redemptive plan shines brilliantly. His infinite love, grace, and mercy demonstrate that no one is beyond His reach. Even as we acknowledge the pain caused by sexual sin, we are called to approach such situations with grace, mercy, and the intent to heal and restore, as God does.

 Come, Lord Jesus, and redeem us! 

Discussion Questions

1. How does the Old Testament present a raw and unfiltered account of humanity's fallen state?
   
2. In what ways does the Old Testament address the complexities and challenges surrounding the practice of sexual experiences?
3. Why is it important for the Old Testament to highlight our desperate need for a Savior?
4. How do the promises of restoration in the Old Testament offer hope to humanity?
5. What prophecies in the Old Testament point to the coming of a Messiah who would bring redemption and transformation?
6. How do the types and foreshadowing in the Old Testament prepare the hearts of God's people for the arrival of Jesus Christ?
7. How does Jesus Christ fulfill the promises and prophecies of the Old Testament regarding the redemption of fallen humanity?
8. What lessons can we learn from the Old Testament's realistic portrayal of human sinfulness and vulnerabilities?
9. How do the accounts of deceit, adultery, incest, and abuse in the Old Testament highlight the consequences of humanity's fallen nature?
10. Why is it important to recognize that we cannot save ourselves and need a divine solution to overcome our inherent brokenness?
11. How do the promises of restoration in the Old Testament create an expectation of a future deliverer who will restore humanity to its intended state?
12. How do the prophecies of the coming Messiah generate a sense of anticipation among the Israelites?
13. How do the types and foreshadowing in the Old Testament help prepare the hearts of God's people for the coming of Jesus Christ?
14. How does Jesus Christ embody the long-awaited Savior who brings redemption, forgiveness, and restoration to fallen humanity?
15. What role does Jesus' life, death, and resurrection play in providing the ultimate solution to the brokenness and sin depicted in the Old Testament?
16. How do the sacrificial system and the Passover lamb in the Old Testament symbolize Jesus' sacrifice and role as the Lamb of God?
17. What is the significance of the Old Testament's moral compass, as seen in the Book of Leviticus, for transforming a nation into a moral, ethical society?
18. How do the boundaries set in Leviticus regarding sexual practices aim to restore order and holiness in Israelite society?
19. What insights can we gain from the Old Testament narratives about healthy relationships, consent, power dynamics, and the sanctity of human intimacy?
20. How does the Old Testament's portrayal of fallen sexuality and the need for redemption in Jesus Christ call us to approach such matters with grace, mercy, and the intent to heal and restore?