The Elisabeth Taylor of the Middle east (Full Version)

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Godhead -> The Elisabeth Taylor of the Middle east (6/28/2008 1:07:34 AM)

For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.
(Joh 4:18)

This woman must be the Elisabeth Taylor of the Middle east. How did she have so many husbands? Did they leave her, or did she leave them? Could women divorce husbands in them days? If not then she must have been a bad cook or something. Anyone shed some light on this?



Ezra -> RE: The Elisabeth Taylor of the Middle east (6/28/2008 4:30:33 PM)

Since the Holy Spirit has chosen to limit our knowledge of this woman's past to whatever is stated by Christ, it would be wise to avoid any further specualtion on how or why she happened to have had five husbands, and was then living with a man who was not her husband.

The more significant aspects of this Samaritan woman are:

1. That the Lord Jesus went out of His way to have this encounter with her -- "He must needs go through Samaria". This indicates a compelling reason, i.e. the salvation of this woman as well as many other Samaritans, which did take place.

2. She was honest about herself and recognized that she was a sinner.

3. She was also somewhat knowledgeable about religious matters, and about the coming Messiah who would "tell us all things". Therefore she must have studied the Scriptures.

4. After she was convicted, she became a bold witness for Christ, and brought many of her countrymen to Jesus.



Godhead -> RE: The Elisabeth Taylor of the Middle east (6/28/2008 11:08:11 PM)

Thanks for that good answer [:D]

The fact that she was married several times does not mean that she was a horrible sinner. Her previous husbands could have died, or left her for some reason. She was married which is not a sin. Maybe she just had a run of bad luck. Any who, it does show that God differentiates between being married and just being with someone.



DaveW -> RE: The Elisabeth Taylor of the Middle east (7/1/2008 2:32:56 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Godhead

For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.
(Joh 4:18)

This woman must be the Elisabeth Taylor of the Middle east. How did she have so many husbands? Did they leave her, or did she leave them? Could women divorce husbands in them days? If not then she must have been a bad cook or something. Anyone shed some light on this?
The woman was a samaritan. While Jews had adopted some form of allowing women to divorce their husbands (mostly thru petitioning a rabbinical court to force the husband to issue a certificate of divorce) the samaritans did not. Only husbands could initiate a divorce and the woman had no say-so either way. The most common reason: childlessness. They were also very strict and swift about stoning adulterers.

It is possible the "one she was with" was not a lover but a man (perhaps a relative) who had compassion on her so she would not starve on the street.



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