What hath Bush wrought?

By DOLPH HONICKER

A Presidential Prayer Team urges us to “pray for the President as he seeks the wisdom to legally codify the definition of marriage. Pray that it will be according to biblical principles.” The prayer team’s first goal should be that marriage consist of a union between one man and one or more women. (Gen. 29: 17-28).

Laban has two daughters, Leah the elder of “tender eyes,” and Rachel the younger, “beautiful and well favored.” Jacob, naturally, has eyes for Rachel and vows to serve Laban seven years.

But Laban, a sly old dog, throws a big party at the end of seven years, slips Leah into Jacob’s bed and he “went into her,” awakening the next morning to learn that Laban had “beguiled” him.

Teed off, Jacob asks why. Fulfill Leah for a week and Rachel is yours, says Laban. But, you have to serve me seven more years as well. After a week with Leah, Laban gives Jacob Rachel. And Jacob “went in also unto Rachael.”

The rest reads like an R-rated soap opera. Leah bears Jacob four sons. The barren Rachel, angry, offers her maid, Bilhah, to Jacob and he “went into her.” She bears three sons.

Leah, not to be outdone, offers up her maid, Zilpah, and the race is on.

To reinforce this theme: (II Sam. 5:13): “And David took him more concubines and wives out of Jerusalem after he was come from Hebron; and there were yet sons and daughters born to David.”

(II Chron. 11:21): “And Rehoboam loved Maachan the daughter of Absalom above all his wives and his concubines: for he took eighteen wives, and threescore concubines; and begat twenty and eight sons, and threescore daughters.”

If the wife isn’t a virgin she must be stoned to death unless her family brings “tokens of her virginity.” A Saudi ukase? No, (Deut 22:13-21).

Bush’s new law should forbid marriage between a believer and a nonbeliever (Gen. 24:3):

“And I will make thee swear by the Lord ... that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Cananites, among whom I dwell.”

Also, (Num. 25:1-9): “And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab. ... And Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor; and the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel.

“And the Lord said unto Moses, take all the heads of the people, and hang them up before the Lord against the sun, that the fierce anger of the Lord may be turned away from Israel.”

Knights of the Christian Crusades followed suit, catapulting severed heads of Muslims over the walls of fortresses; today’s Islamic fanatics practice beheadings on a smaller scale via TV.

“And Moses said unto the judges of Israel, Slay everyone of his men that were joined unto Baalpeor.”

Phinehas, thereupon, takes up a javelin and thrusts it through both Israel and the belly of his woman.

Goodness! No conservative compassion at all.

Also, if a married man dies sans kids, his brother must marry the widow. If he refuses or deliberately does not impregnate her, he should be fined one shoe and otherwise punished. (Gen. 38:6-10) and (Deut. 25:5-10).

In Deuteronomy we read: “If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child, her husband’s brother shall go in unto her.”

If not?

“... then let his brother’s wife go up to the gate unto the elders, and say ... he ... will not perform the duty of my husband’s brother. ... Then shall (she) come unto him in the presence of the elders, and loose his shoe from off his foot, and spit in his face, and shall answer and say, So shall it be done unto that man that will not build up his brother’s house.”

This is true Bush country.