Lesson 7 Customs of the Biblical World cont

Lesson 7: Customs of the Biblical World (cont). From Wayne Jackson’s book

Religious Customs • Working on the Sabbath – Prohibition of work in the Law of Moses was rather general, requiring human judgment in its application • The Jewish rabbis developed a whole system of traditional demands that reached absolute absurdity

Religious Customs • Washing of Hands – Ritual washing was part of the “tradition of the elders” (Mark 7: 3) – Jesus condemned the hypocrisy by pointing out their traditions made void the law of God (Mark 7: 8 -13). • The law required honor and respect for one’s parents (cf. Ex. 20: 12; 21: 17); the Jews would designate as “Corban” (i. e. , “given to God”) income due to their needy parents. – The Mishna declared that a vow could not be revoked even in the face of “honor due to parents. ” – That procedure did not prevent them, however, from using those revenues for their own pleasures.

Religious Customs • Fasting – Only one fast demanded by OT law (Lev. 16: 31) – Christ recognized value in fasting (Mt. 4: 2; Lk. 5: 35) – Fasting is a voluntary act arising from the heart. – Jews made an “art” of fasting to attract attention • The Mishna detailed Jewish traditions regarding fasting – Conducted on Mondays and Thursdays of a designated period – Extremist Jews would fast every week on those days (cf. Lk. 18: 12) – The strictest would affect their appearance » Hair disarrayed and garments soiled » Whiten face to accentuate paleness (cf. Matt. 6: 16 -18) • Not a demonstration of piety but a circus of ostentation • Jesus strongly condemned (Matt. 6: 16 -18).

Social Customs • Jewish attitudes toward the Gentiles – “Gentile” had become a designation of reproach • Anywhere outside “the holy land” was unclean • Even dust from Gentile country was defiled (cf. Matt. 10: 14) – If a Jew entered a Gentile building, he was considered defiled for the remainder of the day, thus, excluded from religious exercises (cf. John 18: 28; Acts 10: 28). • According to Jewish rabbis, it was unlawful to eat meat that had been used in pagan ceremonialism (cf. 1 Cor. 10). – The Gentiles frequently ridiculed Judaism with jokes. – Jesus broke down the “middle wall of partition” between Jew and Gentile and created an international church!

Social Customs • Animosity between the Jews & the Samaritans – Origin and composition of Samaritan people is obscure • • Israelites left in Palestine when 10 tribes taken to Assyria Mixture of Hebrew & Gentile ancestry Strictly Gentiles Could have been a mixture of all three classes – The Jews considered Samaritans as aliens (Matt. 10: 5; Luke 17: 16, 18) and had no dealings with them (John 4: 9) • Samaria was viewed a foreign land, and the word “Samaritan” was used in a reproachful way (John 8: 48). • Samaritans entertained similar hostilities toward the Jews (cf. Luke 9: 52 -53). – Helps us understand better the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10: 30 -37)

Social Customs • Public association between men and women – Jewish woman not secluded but active in community • • Entertain guests in the home (cf. John 12: 2 ff) Attend public festivals (marriage feasts) (cf. John 2: 1 ff) Work with her husband in a business (cf. Acts 18: 2 -3) Operate her own enterprise (cf. Acts 16: 14) – Careful not to be overly familiar with men on streets • Jewish Rabbis said: “Let no one talk with a woman in the street, not with his own wife. ” • Woman could be divorced for “familiarly talking with men” • Reminds of Jesus & Samaritan woman in John 4 – Limitations of women’s teaching and leadership role in the early church not based upon custom but Creation principles (1 Tim. 2: 8 -15; 1 Cor. 11: 2 -16; 14: 34 -35)

Social Customs • Marriage – The institution of marriage is regulated by universal Divine law that transcends custom, but there are certain optional and variable traditions pertaining to marriage. – In some instances, a marriage was arranged by parents. • Abraham arranged for Isaac to marry Rebekah (cf. Gen. 24). • 1 Corinthians 7: 36 -38 may be addressing arranged marriages – During the first century, it appears that the general rule was that young people who were “of age” could arrange their own marriages. • Jewish rabbis set the minimum age for marriage: – 12 years old for girls; 13 years old for boys – A boy should certainly be wed by the time he was 18 -to-20

Social Customs • Marriage – Betrothal was a vital part of marriage in Biblical times. • Once a prospective bride was chosen, a formal declaration of marital intent was made in the presence of two witnesses. • The couple was then betrothed. • The betrothal period was fixed by law. – 10 -12 months for a maiden; 3 months for a widow • From the time of her betrothal until the marriage actually took place, a woman was treated as if she were actually married. – – – The betrothal could not be dissolved except by divorce. Breach of faithfulness was regarded as adultery. When it was discovered that Mary was with child, while “betrothed” to Joseph (Matt. 1: 18), Joseph was mindful to “put her away. ”

Social Customs • Marriage – Ceremony usually occurred on Wednesday afternoon • On the day of the marriage, the bridegroom, accompanied by his “friends” (cf. John 3: 29), went to the home of the bride. • The bride’s father presented his daughter to her betrothed. – The marriage contract was read and sealed. • That evening, bride was taken to her new home (groom being elsewhere) in presence of her virgin companions (cf. Psa. 45: 14). – The bride’s companions lighted lamps (Matt. 25: 1 ff) and all awaited the groom’s arrival. – When a messenger announced that he was near, the virgins would go out to meet him and escort him back to the house. – The bride was adorned with ornaments (Jer. 2: 32) and there was singing and feasting (cf. Psa. 78: 63; Jer. 7: 34; John 2: 1 ff). • The marriage festivities usually lasted 7 days (cf. Judg. 14: 12).

Social Customs • Death – In the event of death in a Jewish home: • • • Body laid out and washed with warm water (Acts 9: 37) Wrapped in linen cloths with spices (Lk. 23: 56; Jn. 19: 39 -40; 11: 39) Usually buried on the same day (Acts 5: 6, 10; 8: 2) Prior to burial, mourners would gather to lament the dead Women led the way to the burial place (cf. Luke 7: 13 -14) – The dead were buried outside the cities (cf. Luke 7: 12) • • Sometimes in tombs, with niches carved in walls Huge stone rolled across the tomb’s entrance Cord stretched over & sealed with wax (cf. Mt. 27: 60, 66; 28: 2) Whitewashed to prevent defilement from a corpse (cf. Num. 19: 16). – Christ used of Pharisees (Matt. 23: 27; Luke 11: 44) – After funeral, neighbors prepared meal at deceased’s home • Intense period of mourning for seven days (Gen. 50: 10) • Followed by lesser mourning for 30 days (Num. 20: 29)