022 What's up with that? Part 1: Understanding Biblical Law and Family Dynamics Across Time

We Who Thirst by Jessica LM Jenkins

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In this episode Jessica answers listener questions about ancient law and household dynamics.

Delve into the fascinating world of ancient biblical marriage and family structures that challenge our modern assumptions. In this eye-opening episode, we explore how the concept of household—not the individual—formed the foundation of Old Testament society and shaped everything from inheritance laws to marriage practices.
Have you ever wondered why biblical patriarchs had surrogates for their wives? Or why inheritance went to sons instead of daughters? The answers lie not in male lust or gender discrimination, but in understanding the radically different social structures of ancient times.
Most surprising is the revelation about who actually controlled reproduction in biblical households. Contrary to popular teaching, it was the matriarch—not the patriarch—who managed this domain. This explains why Sarah gave Hagar to Abraham, and why Rachel and Leah gave their handmaids to Jacob. These weren't acts driven by male desire but by women exercising their household power (sometimes to the detriment of other women).
We also unpack how concepts we take for granted—human rights, democracy, individualism—simply didn't exist when the Mosaic Law was written. This helps us understand that God was working incrementally through existing cultural frameworks, planting seeds of justice that would grow over time. As Jesus himself acknowledged when discussing divorce laws, some Old Testament practices were permitted "because of the hardness of your hearts," not because they represented God's ideal.
The story of Tamar brings these principles to life, showing how her actions weren't manipulation but a creative solution to hold Judah accountable to his family obligations. When Judah declared, "She was more righteous than I," he recognized that she understood household commitments better than he did.
Understanding these cultural dynamics doesn't mean we must approve of ancient practices, but it helps Scripture make sense in its context. What questions do you have about Old Testament marriage and family practices? Send me a message—I'd love to explore more of these topics in future episodes!

Listen to this YouTube talk to learn more about ancient households and heterarchy: https://youtu.be/OO-E36xt_2E?si=NKuPvHVrujk14VTq

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Chapters

1. 022 What's up with that? Part 1: Understanding Biblical Law and Family Dynamics Across Time (00:00:00)

2. Welcome and Episode Introduction (00:00:42)

3. Biblical Patriarchs and Women's Rights (00:01:30)

4. Household vs. Individual in Ancient Society (00:05:45)

5. Abraham, Sarah, and Moses' Marriages (00:12:02)

6. Polygamy and Old Testament Marriages (00:16:23)

7. Inheritance Laws and Family Dynamics (00:23:28)

8. Tamar's Story: Justice and Obligation (00:32:04)