Hebraic Musing - Is ‘sex’ good or bad?
We have been raised with a
‘puritanical’ attitude toward anything to do with the topic of ‘sex’. Within Christianity, the ‘Holiness’ movement
has been so protective of dress codes that might stir the imagination that ‘sex’
has been driven out of our education system, and out of church teaching. So when the schools or the ‘guys at the
firehouse’ teach sex it is in a red-faced and embarrassing mode. Maybe I am overstating somewhat; but on the
other hand…
When we treat the topic as
‘forbidden’ or ‘bad’ or ‘something you should not do or even think about’ are
we causing curiosity, experimentation and ‘boundary challenging’?
A 13 year old young lady in our
Torah Study shared an experience she had while visiting with cousins who are
being raised in the big city in a very Christian ‘community’. She and her cousin were arguing as to whether
the horse in a picture was male or female.
Out of frustration and to clearly settle the argument she pointed to the
external organ and said “See, it’s a male”.
The cousin snickered; and the cousin’s parents faces turned red,
embarrassed and upset at this blatant pointing out of the genitals of an
animal.
Question -- How else do you
determine the sex of an animal, like a cat; but to tip it upside down and look
at the organs? (Okay, you don’t have to
tip a horse.)
In our study, we proceeded to
recognize that the Israelites were agrarians and raised animals. Thus the family would naturally discuss
procreation of the herd, flock, etc.
Even Jacob’s genetic engineering was disclosed! It was probably a dinner-time topic as
needed. And the Bible clearly
distinguishes male and female in many ways and many purposes. Biblically – God created sex, so it must be for
good. We would not be here if it were
not for sex. God’s first commandment was
in Gen 1:27-28 … male and female he
created them. God blessed them and said
to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue
it….” NIV
Back to the key question - “Is ‘sex’
good or bad?” in the Torah study group I answered the question with a
question. “Is the fire in the fireplace
(place for fire) good?” Naturally the
answer is ‘yes’. Next question; “When
there is a fire outside of the fireplace is that good or bad?” Everyone cringed as each one visualized the
damage and devastation caused by fire out of control and in the wrong or
unintended place. Same with ‘sex’. When it is where it belongs and for the right
purpose, it is great and we can thank God for giving us this gift. However, when ‘sex’ is not where God
intended it to be we can all visualize the damage and consequences we have seen
and heard of caused by infidelity, fornication and adultery and the desolation
of marriages, families and relationships.
Notice that each of these damaged items were top concerns to God.
Let us get back to the issues in
the first paragraph. Why can’t sex
education be taught in homes by parents; or in churches with the goodness and
Godly principles stressed? As an aid,
there is a book written by Kenneth Taylor (author of The Living Bible) titled
“ALMOST 12 – The story of Sex”. It is a
short book, you can read it in about 20 minutes; but as you read aloud,
shoulder to shoulder, to a 10, 11 or 12 year old it can seem like 2 hours; especially
if you need to read it in remedial mode to a 13 to 18 year old. When the parent reads it this way to the
child/young adult, the child recognizes not only that this is the view of God,
our creator; but more importantly, this is his/her parent’s view. I’ve bought, read and given away many copies
(and only have one copy left on my shelf now!).
Points to Ponder
If you buy the
book, get more than one copy; you will think of someone who also needs a copy.
Sex must be
good, otherwise none of us would be here.
“So
whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
1 Corinth.10:31 NIV
Yosef a.k.a. Joe Brusherd
March
7, 2023
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages
exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith”
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”
Weekly “Hebraic Musings” insightsbyyosef.blogspot.com
Note – This is a reprint of
Hebraic Insight #58 - Is ‘sex’ good
or bad? published March 17, 2010
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