Posted ByLISA on May 13, 1999 at 13:01:28:
In Reply to: Re: Deut.22:5 - Man and Woman's clothing posted byJoshua Daniels on May 12, 1999 at 13:28:51:
: There's more to it. For example, also in Deut., Yah commanded that everyone put a "paddle" on the handle of their weapon and use it for a spade to cover their excrement, which was commanded to be done outside the camp. Apparent conflict with the idea of not carrying that which pertains to men: did the women never crap, or did they carry weapons? It's not reasonable to assume that they borrowed someone's sword for the trip. Other places in the Torah and subsequent history present pictures of women who were responsible for their own personal defense, so not carrying swords was, at least, honored more in the breach than the observance, no pun intended.
: Also, as with everything Yah wrote, the denotative and connotative meanings both apply. This was a command not only against cross-dressing, but the use of artificial penes for lesbian behavior, make-up for men (it existed back then, and was a strictly female province), dressing in drag to avoid the draft or to enlist as a man and fight, etc.
: In short, He's saying, "I drew a line when I made you. Accept the limitations that go with it, and don't try to step over it."
: Some concepts currenlty revered as traditional are demolished by a thorough reading of the Scriptures. For example, the ancient Israelite men wore earrings with not a single word of censure from Yah (Exodus 32, 35, Numbers 31); they were even asked to donate their SPARE earrings and bracelets to make decorations for the Tabernacle, and gave so much that Moses had to tell them to stop, or else the people couldn't carry the Tabernacle for the weight of it.
: Bodypiercing is endorsed in the Scriptures as well, by God Himself (Ezekiel 16:8-13).
: But I digress. Picking pieces of the Scriptures out to make or demolish arguments is risky; it's best to stick a bookmark in it and read it from cover to cover like a novel, taking notes of anything odd, remarkable, or that stirs questions. It's also best to not accept any explanation of apparent inconsistencies that conflicts with any part of the Scriptures; you're just rearranging inconsistencies that way, not resolving any real questions.
: Cheers. Email me to rant, rave, or question.
: Joshua