The five mentioned matriarchs of Genesis are interesting characters for modern day readers to know and appreciate. However, as it was pointed out several times in class, the Old Testament is not feminist literature. I acknowledge that point and even affirm it to a point. Yes, it is not feminist literature in that it was not written to support women or fully explore the difficulties faced by women in the days of the Old Testament. Yes, it is not feminist literature in that it was most likely written by men, for me, and the stories about women were to support or explain the men around them....
But, I do not truly think that is all there is to the definition of feminist literature. The mere fact that women, specifically in Genesis, are given such prominent roles and storyline is a commentary all on its on. Women did not need to be included. Women did not need to be named. Women did not need to save the day. Women did not need to direct the action of the story. Women did not need to 'trick' the men in their lives. There is a lot that women did not need to do, but they did and the narrative supports that.
Part of feminist literature is not just writing something that is feminist. It is also reading something that is not seen as 'feminist' and trying to understand how it could be applied to our understanding of women yesterday, today, and tomorrow. I read the scriptures as something that lives and breaths within the midst of modern day Christianity, that to state that the stories are to be read one way and only one way is a false statement. A good story is not the story that means only something to the people during the time it was written but mean something to individuals throughout the rest of time. I can connect with Sarah's story whenever I comprise on an assignment because I'm scared that if I don't finish it sooner someone else will take the credit. I can relate to Rebekah's story when I have aunts telling me that certain populations of men are not fit for me to marry. I can relate to Leah's story as an older sister with a much prettier younger sister, and that there is tremendous pressure to be the first to get married. I can relate to Rachel's story because it's difficult to be denied the one thing you want and desire, and there's nothing I can do about it.
No these stories are not "feminist", but they can, do, and will mean many things to me as a woman.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Friday, April 29, 2011
Matriarchs of Genesis: Rachel
Rachel was beautiful, lovely to look upon, and instantly attracted the attention and love of the handsome stranger. Jacob, said stranger, was immediately taken with Rachel and offered her father the only thing he had: hard work. How Rachel felt about him the narrative does not say, but the reader is led to assume that she returned Jacob's love and affection. However, she may have felt an stronger love for her sister Leah...
A Jewish tradition says that Rachel was in on tricking Jacob on what should have been her wedding night. Legend says that Jacob and Rachel had developed secret signs so that Jacob would know without a doubt that he was with Rachel. However, for whatever reason, Rachel taught these signs to Leah so that on the wedding night Jacob would not stop the events until it was too late. Maybe Rachel felt she had no choice when her father Laban approached her and told her what he was planning. It's not hard to imagine Laban using threats or violence to get his way, which was for Leah to be married first. However, as the tradition suggests, Rachel also acted out of love for her sister, and through her actions she secured a placement within a household for her sister.
However, if this tradition is true, then Rachel created a life that may have contained more hurt and frustration than if she had alone married Jacob. Without knowing it, she had entered herself into a womb contest with Leah that she was never able to win. She also was not made the mother to the heir, as that honor went to Leah. Although Joseph did many great things, Jacob did not make him the heir. Instead, Judah, Leah's son was given everything and it his name we read in the genealogy line to David.
Rachel made a difficult choice in allowing her sister to marry Jacob before her. I wonder if she imagined the consequences of such a decision, that she tried to imagine all the bad that could occur being married to the same man as her sister. But, what if Leah remaining within their father's household was a punishment Rachel was not willing to subject her sister to. That not only would Rachel be escaping Laban's household, but now Leah would be too. Sisterly love may have initially trumped whatever romantic love was between Rachel and Jacob....
A Jewish tradition says that Rachel was in on tricking Jacob on what should have been her wedding night. Legend says that Jacob and Rachel had developed secret signs so that Jacob would know without a doubt that he was with Rachel. However, for whatever reason, Rachel taught these signs to Leah so that on the wedding night Jacob would not stop the events until it was too late. Maybe Rachel felt she had no choice when her father Laban approached her and told her what he was planning. It's not hard to imagine Laban using threats or violence to get his way, which was for Leah to be married first. However, as the tradition suggests, Rachel also acted out of love for her sister, and through her actions she secured a placement within a household for her sister.
However, if this tradition is true, then Rachel created a life that may have contained more hurt and frustration than if she had alone married Jacob. Without knowing it, she had entered herself into a womb contest with Leah that she was never able to win. She also was not made the mother to the heir, as that honor went to Leah. Although Joseph did many great things, Jacob did not make him the heir. Instead, Judah, Leah's son was given everything and it his name we read in the genealogy line to David.
Rachel made a difficult choice in allowing her sister to marry Jacob before her. I wonder if she imagined the consequences of such a decision, that she tried to imagine all the bad that could occur being married to the same man as her sister. But, what if Leah remaining within their father's household was a punishment Rachel was not willing to subject her sister to. That not only would Rachel be escaping Laban's household, but now Leah would be too. Sisterly love may have initially trumped whatever romantic love was between Rachel and Jacob....
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Matriarchs of Genesis: Leah
I think Leah gets a lot of flack for her role within the biblical narrative. Her story is not romantic, so there goes half of the female readership. Then, readers like to blame all of Rachel's problems on Leah, so there's another quarter of female readership gone. Next, readers tend to view Leah as unremarkable...
Well, apparently that is what Jacob thought as well, which is why God chose to honor Leah over Rachel. Rachel's son Joseph may have become a powerful leader in Egypt, but Leah's son Judah is a part of the Line of David, ergo the line of Jesus. It is Judah's sons through Tamar that continue to provide the connection between Abraham and David.
Then, since God saw that Leah was originally unloved by Jacob, he gave her many sons to make up for her husband's lack of emotions. Leah conceived and bore five sons before Rachel had even one, giving Leah a placement within the household that would difficult for Rachel, the beloved wife, to win against. Jacob would never set Leah aside because she had given him many sons in which to build up his household.
However, it must have been difficult for Leah to watch how this affected her sister within the household. Yes, Leah wanted the love of her husband, but she also must have loved her sister as well. Balancing her desires and needs to have a solid placement within her husbands household and the pain/suffering Rachel felt at being barren must have been difficult for Leah. Watching her sister try repeatedly to become pregnant and to only fail each time would be difficult for any sister who felt a semblance of love or caring for her sister.
As the older sister myself, it is difficult to not assume that Leah would not look out for her needs or try to make the best of a situation, but she may have also tried to take care of her little sister. Was she perfect at it, no, but I wish I could hear Leah tell her side of the story from her point of view...
Well, apparently that is what Jacob thought as well, which is why God chose to honor Leah over Rachel. Rachel's son Joseph may have become a powerful leader in Egypt, but Leah's son Judah is a part of the Line of David, ergo the line of Jesus. It is Judah's sons through Tamar that continue to provide the connection between Abraham and David.
Then, since God saw that Leah was originally unloved by Jacob, he gave her many sons to make up for her husband's lack of emotions. Leah conceived and bore five sons before Rachel had even one, giving Leah a placement within the household that would difficult for Rachel, the beloved wife, to win against. Jacob would never set Leah aside because she had given him many sons in which to build up his household.
However, it must have been difficult for Leah to watch how this affected her sister within the household. Yes, Leah wanted the love of her husband, but she also must have loved her sister as well. Balancing her desires and needs to have a solid placement within her husbands household and the pain/suffering Rachel felt at being barren must have been difficult for Leah. Watching her sister try repeatedly to become pregnant and to only fail each time would be difficult for any sister who felt a semblance of love or caring for her sister.
As the older sister myself, it is difficult to not assume that Leah would not look out for her needs or try to make the best of a situation, but she may have also tried to take care of her little sister. Was she perfect at it, no, but I wish I could hear Leah tell her side of the story from her point of view...
Matriarchs of Genesis: Rebekah
Rebekah may be my most favorite matriarch in the Genesis narrative. She is portrayed as a strong character, who makes decisions that are followed through, drives the narrative, pulls the strings... I think she is great! In fact, I think is one of the few female characters within the narrative to truly outshine and out perform the male characters within her story. She is portrayed as being stronger and smarter than her father, Isaac, Esau, and even Jacob.
Her father asked her opinion about whether she wants to journey to a foreign land to marry Isaac. He allowed her to have the final decision rather than dictating to her what she had to do. An unusual custom when fathers typically made all the decisions for their daughters.
Narrative seems to imply that Isaac was not much of an even match for her. Even when Isaac takes a chapter from his father's book of trying to pass Rebekah off as his sister, it doesn't work out for him at all. King Abimelech sees Isaac and Rebekah together almost immediately and thus Rebekah's chastity within her marriage is never questioned. Later in the narrative, Rebekah receives a direct message from God describing the twin brothers that will be born to her. Special because it is the mother, the woman, Rebekah who receives the message and not the father, the man, Isaac.
Finally, it would be wrong to state that Rebekah did not control her household. It may have been Isaac's household, but it was Rebekah who ultimately exerted the dominant influence over everything. Her quick actions and plans resulted in her favored son, Jacob, receiving the blessing that meant for his older brother. She was instrumental in hoodwinking Isaac, pushing Esau out of the picture, and establishing Jacob as the one to get it all. Interestingly, Esau does not retaliate against Rebekah, but reserves all his anger towards Jacob and his parents as a whole.
In my opinion, Rebekah is one of the strongest female characters within the entire biblical narrative. She was not perfect, but she commanded her family with strength and authority that is unmatched by few others...
Her father asked her opinion about whether she wants to journey to a foreign land to marry Isaac. He allowed her to have the final decision rather than dictating to her what she had to do. An unusual custom when fathers typically made all the decisions for their daughters.
Narrative seems to imply that Isaac was not much of an even match for her. Even when Isaac takes a chapter from his father's book of trying to pass Rebekah off as his sister, it doesn't work out for him at all. King Abimelech sees Isaac and Rebekah together almost immediately and thus Rebekah's chastity within her marriage is never questioned. Later in the narrative, Rebekah receives a direct message from God describing the twin brothers that will be born to her. Special because it is the mother, the woman, Rebekah who receives the message and not the father, the man, Isaac.
Finally, it would be wrong to state that Rebekah did not control her household. It may have been Isaac's household, but it was Rebekah who ultimately exerted the dominant influence over everything. Her quick actions and plans resulted in her favored son, Jacob, receiving the blessing that meant for his older brother. She was instrumental in hoodwinking Isaac, pushing Esau out of the picture, and establishing Jacob as the one to get it all. Interestingly, Esau does not retaliate against Rebekah, but reserves all his anger towards Jacob and his parents as a whole.
In my opinion, Rebekah is one of the strongest female characters within the entire biblical narrative. She was not perfect, but she commanded her family with strength and authority that is unmatched by few others...
Matriarchs of Genesis: Sarah
Oh Sarah, how I wish I knew more about you and your side of the story. Your husband decides to leave his homeland, most likely yours too, and to start wandering through out the country side. Were you okay with it? Did you protest, say that you didn't want to go, or did you say "wherever you go, I'll go"? Oh, and you mean so much to Abram that he is willing to put your life at risk to save his own by calling you his sister and not his wife. In fact, he valued you so much that he did it twice! Yet, you were the first wife and the only person you had to answer to was Abram. You helped manage his household, the servants, workers, slaves. You had the status, but not always the circumstances to back up your placement within your own household. You were considered barren.
How long did it take for you to start to panic over not having a child? You must have worried greatly to take another woman and suggest your husband lay with her. A slave woman, a woman who was "less" than you would be able to provide the heir that you had not been able to provide yourself. The narrative says that you grew resentful towards Hagar, but how long did it take? The night Abram didn't come to your tent? When her pregnancy started to show physically? When did you start to regret your decision?
Then, you are told by visitors that you will conceive, at 90 years of age. You'll have a baby! The text says you laughed, but I don't think it was a laugh of joy or poking fun at the visitors. I think it was a laugh of remorse. The laughter that is often followed by tears of frustration, anger, sadness. You had tried to solve the problem of having a heir, and here was God finally granting you your boon. I would have thought God was a little late to the party, and why he couldn't have shown up sooner.
You had a lot to deal with. A husband who treated you well, but not always great. A body that would not corporate with desires and wishes. Making plans, doing what you thought was best, but having those plans and decisions blow up in your face. How did you handle it all?
I wish I knew more about you and your side of the story....
Matriarchs of Genesis: Noah's Wife
A character not often discussed as important within the Biblical narrative is Noah's wife. A majority of the text of Genesis 6 through 9 is devoted to the actions of Noah and God. Very little is mentioned about Noah's wife, so little that she is not even named in the narrative. But, she is included in the command from God as to who should be on the ark. Carol Meyers suggests that Noah's wife was not included because of her ability to produce more children, as compared to Noah's sons' wives who were essential to repopulating the Earth. Instead, Noah's wife was included on the ark to provide companionship to Noah, which in Meyer's opinion suggests the narrative holds companionship in marriage in high regards.
Yes, the narrative is written by males, about males, and thus the focus would be on Noah and his actions. I get that. In fact, there are lessons I think anyone can learn from Noah regardless of Gender. However, as female reader who deals with gender stereotypes, limitations, and other difficulties associated with being a woman, it would have been nice to hear how Noah's wife dealt with a husband, who for all intents and purposes went off the deep end. Did she ever question him to his face, behind his back, or follow him blindly? Did she face criticism from the other wives around the city gathering places, the well, about her crazy husband? How instrumental was she in building or shaping the ark? Did Noah listen to her suggestions about how a kitchen should be set up on a boat, or did he build whatever he thought was fine without consulting what would serve her needs best? These are the questions to ask and the answers I want to know.
In the late 90s, a made for tv movie was released about Noah and building the ark. I don't remember much of the movie, but I do remember Noah's wife trying to throw all the spiders overboard. My mother, who hates all creatures that crawl or creep, was silently cheering her on, and was highly disappointed when Noah stopped his wife from ridding the world of spiders. Needless to say, my mother was on Noah's wife's side that evenings, not Noah's.
Yes, the narrative is written by males, about males, and thus the focus would be on Noah and his actions. I get that. In fact, there are lessons I think anyone can learn from Noah regardless of Gender. However, as female reader who deals with gender stereotypes, limitations, and other difficulties associated with being a woman, it would have been nice to hear how Noah's wife dealt with a husband, who for all intents and purposes went off the deep end. Did she ever question him to his face, behind his back, or follow him blindly? Did she face criticism from the other wives around the city gathering places, the well, about her crazy husband? How instrumental was she in building or shaping the ark? Did Noah listen to her suggestions about how a kitchen should be set up on a boat, or did he build whatever he thought was fine without consulting what would serve her needs best? These are the questions to ask and the answers I want to know.
In the late 90s, a made for tv movie was released about Noah and building the ark. I don't remember much of the movie, but I do remember Noah's wife trying to throw all the spiders overboard. My mother, who hates all creatures that crawl or creep, was silently cheering her on, and was highly disappointed when Noah stopped his wife from ridding the world of spiders. Needless to say, my mother was on Noah's wife's side that evenings, not Noah's.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Matriarchs of Genesis: Introduction
I"m fascinated by the matriarchs in Genesis, particularly the stories of Sarah, Rebekah, Leah, and Rachel. I find their stories to have complexities and drama that are not noticeable at first glance. I believe their stories have more to tell than what Christian theologians, pastors, teachers, deacons, etc have allowed them to project. Until 30, 40 years ago, the emphasis was always on Abraham, the guy who was willing to sell out his wife for safety, or Isaac, the guy who was repeatedly tricked by both his wife and his son. Lets not forget Jacob, the man who tricked his way into a birthright, and managed to acquire four wives (who ran the household and him). Alright, so may be they did great things too: found and perpetrate what would become one the worlds largest religion and people group.... but sometimes, I just don't relate to these men. Call me crazy, but it's not often that I fully understand how the male mind works. Sorry, my genetic makeup consists of two X chromosomes and not just one.
Until recently though, I had never heard any scholar, preacher, teacher, theologian, missionary, etc "blaspheme" the name of one of the OT patriarchs, that the patriarchs were perfect and could do no wrong. As an individual with two older brothers and a distant father, I don't buy their patriarchs perfection or that they completely dominated the other characters around them. Thus, for me, to fully understand the story I look to how all the characters interact. Since a large portion of the narrative is centered around women, it makes sense that I would turn to feminist literature to try and gain a better perspective of what was going on within the story.
A classmate recently said that "No matter how many articles are written on it: the Old Testament isn't feminist", and then stated that he thought feminist research was on some level "disingenuous". Well, I have to disagree. I don't think the entire OT is straight, 100% feminist literature, but I do think the OT provides several accounts of the female characters not only being the individuals to control the action of the story but also being the character at the center of the story. In a highly patriarchal society, I'm amazed that the OT mentioned women by name, allowed them to control and trick their husbands/fathers/brothers, be at the center of a story, be the ones to save the day, etc. The writers didn't have to included their stories, especially the stories that made the men look bad, but they did. These women are presented as strong, determined, cunning, intelligent, equals in some respects. I agree that the narrative doesn't always come out and say it that way, but at times some reading between the lines and connecting the dots creates a picture of females that is in line with some feminist thinking.
Now, the matriarchs of Genesis were not perfect or blameless either, and sometimes committed much worse offensives than the men in their lives. However, they also at times controlled the story line and were the 'heros' of the story. Here's hopefully a more in depth look at what it was like to be a matriarch in Genesis. Not necessarily "feminist' literature, but pretty darn close.
Until recently though, I had never heard any scholar, preacher, teacher, theologian, missionary, etc "blaspheme" the name of one of the OT patriarchs, that the patriarchs were perfect and could do no wrong. As an individual with two older brothers and a distant father, I don't buy their patriarchs perfection or that they completely dominated the other characters around them. Thus, for me, to fully understand the story I look to how all the characters interact. Since a large portion of the narrative is centered around women, it makes sense that I would turn to feminist literature to try and gain a better perspective of what was going on within the story.
A classmate recently said that "No matter how many articles are written on it: the Old Testament isn't feminist", and then stated that he thought feminist research was on some level "disingenuous". Well, I have to disagree. I don't think the entire OT is straight, 100% feminist literature, but I do think the OT provides several accounts of the female characters not only being the individuals to control the action of the story but also being the character at the center of the story. In a highly patriarchal society, I'm amazed that the OT mentioned women by name, allowed them to control and trick their husbands/fathers/brothers, be at the center of a story, be the ones to save the day, etc. The writers didn't have to included their stories, especially the stories that made the men look bad, but they did. These women are presented as strong, determined, cunning, intelligent, equals in some respects. I agree that the narrative doesn't always come out and say it that way, but at times some reading between the lines and connecting the dots creates a picture of females that is in line with some feminist thinking.
Now, the matriarchs of Genesis were not perfect or blameless either, and sometimes committed much worse offensives than the men in their lives. However, they also at times controlled the story line and were the 'heros' of the story. Here's hopefully a more in depth look at what it was like to be a matriarch in Genesis. Not necessarily "feminist' literature, but pretty darn close.
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