NYM Ministries: Adultery in the Bible (from Today's Native Father #125)

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PRODUCT/RESOURCES INDEX Today's Native Father Archive of Articles Free booklets Marriage/Parenting Tip Calendar of workshops E-mail questions or comments	This article is from Today's Native Father, issue #125, January/February, 2003. Related articles from this issue: Internet Infidelity Create a Family Internet Agreement Addicted to E-mail? Not me!
	Adultery in the Bible A Bible Study by David Hertzler
	“ Adultery is nothing new. People in Bible times were tempted with adultery, even without the Internet and other modern technology. Can their experiences help us help us learn to “just say No” today? (Warning: This Bible Study may not be suitable for younger children. Parental discretion advised.) Genesis 38 - Adultery as an antidote for grief. Judah lost his wife and two sons. Tamar lost her husband. In their grief and loneliness, both turned to sex. Do you know of any adulterous unions in your community that are driven by grief or loss? What advice would you give Judah or Tamar about dealing with their grief? What advice could you give grieving widows or widowers in your community? Proverbs 7:6-27 - Adultery as relief for boredom. A bored woman, whose husband is away on a trip, seduces a bored young man who has nothing better to do than “walk the trails” at night. The writer warns young men to stay away from women like this. But do you think this woman’s husband carried some responsibility for what happened that night? Why? If you are bored, whose fault is it? It has been said that “idleness is the Devil’s workshop.” What mental habits could you practice to avoid boredom and the idleness that goes with it? 2 Samuel 11 - Adultery as relief for restlessness King David, a career soldier, almost got killed in battle. His soldiers told him to stay off the battlefield and stick to the political business of running his kingdom. Full of restless energy, he walked his palace roof in the dark, looking into neighbours’ windows. Take a family vote: who do you think was most at fault for this incident, David or Bathsheba? Many men experience job restlessness in midlife. What could be some good ways of dealing with this restlessness? Judges 16 - Adultery as a power game Samson, whose physical strength was legendary, began chasing Philistine prostitutes, teasing them to “catch me if you can.” Finally, one of them did. Do you know men (or women) whose bragging rights are established by the number of women (or men) they have “scored” with? What would you say to such a person? What would you like to say to Samson or Delilah? Malachi 2:10-17 - Adultery as treachery God speaks through the prophet to his people, who are committing spiritual adultery, calling it “treachery.” In what way(s) is divorce a form of adultery (see also Matthew 19:9)? God also calls adultery “violence” (verse 16). How might adultery contribute to the levels of violent crime in our communities? In which of the Ten Commandments (see Exodus 20:1-17) does God give His final word on adultery?
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