Preparing for the holidays a bit early, aren't we? Why so early and always before Halloween? What's your obsession with trusting Christmas on everyone? I'm well aware of the strong opinion of those skeptics out there. I've upset many, but if you'll entertain me with your time for just a bit longer you'll soon see why the push for this and sense of urgency. It's going to get scary, plus I'm tired of being told to be quiet about saying "Merry Christmas."
For starters, I'd like to wish all the sex workers an early Merry Christmas. Sometimes they're forgotten. Yes, I'm sending a shout out to all the proud or humble, free or enslaved, sex workers. To people, men, women, and children who are knowingly and unknowingly being used for sex, those being lied to, enslaved with traps.
It's not "what you do" but "who you are, naturally," sometimes. Note, this always must stem back to original intent of male and female relations. If your understanding of intent is based off science, exclusively, then there's our reason for our current culture. If original intent for male and female is based off of a spiritual godly or biblical understanding, you will understand more of our human nature and why altering what is natural is setting this up for destruction.
Vocation is not only a job but passion where you devote fully. As a Christian, it's under the belief that you do what's right in front of you to the best of your ability. What if the circumstances in your life forces change of your vocation. What does that make you? Sometimes, what society expects, or demands of you, is what you are, at any cost. Is there any hope for these women or our future?
Rahab a woman caught up in a role, job, dare I say, vocation. Whatever title, she was in a position of societal demand, but who was she really? The other women Jesus encountered, and women in his own ancestry, many prostitutes. What drew them to Jesus? They're the female equivalency to Jesus's sacrificial life, in many ways. Jesus, a man willing to die on the cross. Most men during that time willing to die in war, or daily protect family. A woman's body is often thrown in between life and death to satiate the demands of men. She can sustain her family with her body in more ways than we can count.
How many times recorded in the Bible? Here's one that doesn't get too many mentions. To her, Merry Christmas to the nameless concubine. Read Judges 19. (Here's a portion but encourage you to read entire passage for context.) 27 When her master got up in the morning and opened the doors of the house and went out to go on his way, then behold, his concubine was lying at the doorway of the house with her hands on the threshold. 28 And he said to her, “Get up and let’s go,” but there was no answer. Then he put her on the donkey; and the man set out and went to his [y]home. 29 When he entered his house, he took a knife and seized his concubine, and cut her in twelve pieces, limb by limb. Then he sent her throughout the territory of Israel. 30 All who saw it said, “Nothing like this has ever happened or been seen from the day when the sons of Israel came up from the land of Egypt to this day. Consider it, [z]make a plan, and speak up!”)
Was he resentful that she played the harlot? Her father sounded like a lazy drunk who kept the master hostage as well. Was he shell shocked at the threats to his safety and surprised at how vile that town was? Is that why she ran from him, knowing how unstable he may have been? There was no safety for this particular woman, anywhere. Rahab had faith in the God of Israel. Her life was to serve others with her entire self. Her entire household was saved, which meant she lived with her family, and may have been their source of income. How common is that today? Each time she had to give herself up, her entire being, a little more was chipped away. (This happens to male victims as well.) With death, it's more sudden or even instant. With this work, it is a slowemotional and physical death.
How many times, specifically speaking about the Bible, do women get thrown under the bus to cover up the actions of men? How many times in modern society?
To put some of this into perspective, I was reading a book, and discovered a section written from a former Navy SEAL described in horrific detail a rescue mission he undertook. Dead bodies, spoiled food rotten, no electricity while waiting for further rescue support. When they arrived at port overseas, he admitted their source of comfort went to drinking and the enjoyment of ladies, the details he specifically admitted to leaving out. That's when they're called in. One of the only things that kept these traumatized shell shocked men feeling human or whole again was giving and receiving the closest experience designed to unite the female and male. Original intent. Replicate the experience of love to be made full and whole again, to be grounded and centered. Take humanity, or perhaps try to offer it back during this exchange. Another similar story I recall regarding a Vietnam war vet encountering a violent attack, leaving most men wounded or killed. He resorted to killing children and raping an innocent woman. Why did she need to take that on?
How often is that the case? In many instances for women, they're put in positions that are life and death and will put themselves in positions to protect. Many times, the only a source of income to their families. Sacrificial and life-sustaining.
There's a time and place for everything. Ruben a male Biblical character, found himself getting caught up with a prostitute who ended up being someone he forgot about. Queen Vashti from Esther was expected to be carried, and wearing (possibly only) her crown to be shown off to the King and his friends. Human nature, the same. The use of women's bodies for sexual gratification or mere entertainment. Because Queen Vasti refused to submit that time, she was replaced so other wives would not speak up like her.
Is prostitution good or bad? Debatable and to be further discussed in more writings. But returning to our Christmas Greetings. You're wondering why bring all the darkness out? The wet blanket of news.
In contrast to all the evil we just discussed, there is Mary. Joseph, a just man. Joseph being asked to take on a roll of stepfather. He became a protector of Mary and Jesus. That's what we're waiting for! Receive this humble blessing of Hope knowing miracles still happen and happening everyday a baby is born. It happened when He humbled Himself and became one of us. HE did not forget about us.
The women that came before Mary could never have imagined how impactful their lives would be today. It's a bit of a comfort knowing these circumstances women found themselves in is not exclusive to our time. It's also a sad reality knowing that this is still a problem. That's the reason for the season.
There are "just" loving fathers. There are good loving women. Jesus was raised in a broken patched up home. Two ordinary decent people in a small town. (“And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.” (John 1:45–46.) Three is the magic number if you recall Schoolhouse Rock. And that is what Mary Joseph and Jesus represent in respects to how He relates to us. We have the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit on Earth. We have the example Mary, Joseph, and Jesus. His ancestry was a mess. Women raped. Murders. Have we not learned from human history? This is the reason why we celebrate. He set the example. He humbled Himself and came to show us how to live life and to show that He does care, He does think about His people, enough to come to Earth, and be among His people.
There is hope, and please continue to stay tuned and get more of these relevant Bible passages discussing actual historical events that brings relevance to our current problems.
There are solutions and there is still hope.
Merry Christmas!
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