AccountingQueen
$16/per page/Negotiable
Dalen Smith
4.1
The stories in “The Texts of Terror” by Phyllis Trible portrays the agony and suffering that women had to undergo in a society where the rights of the women were not respected. A more accurate statement is that women during the biblical times discussed, had no rights. The purpose of the “Texts” is to reveal, to the readers of the bible and biblical scholars, the injustice and gender inequality that have existed and harmed women in society. The overall outcome after reading and analyzing the “Texts” is that it shines light on the fact that some of these injustices still exist today. Furthermore, the intent is to challenge society to undertake drastic measures that will ensure the rights of women are upheld, and that women are protected. These stories helps to highlight the point that Christians should not be quiet on injustices, but rather should openly reveal these injustices so that the required measures can be taken to correct this grave problem.
This “Texts”, to a large extent, raises the awareness of the vulnerability of the characters in the stories. Throughout this “Text”, the characters (women) are shown to be very vulnerable to many injustices in the society. These “Texts” show that women are vulnerable to “poor decision making”, rape, rejection and desolation. The story of “Daughter of Jephthah” highlights the suffering of the daughter as a consequence of the decision taken by her father. The story of ‘Hagar’’ shows the rejection and desolation of the woman when she is driven to the wilderness and left to fend for herself and her son. The story of “Unnamed Woman” and “Tamar” shows the vulnerability of women to rape from close family members and from strangers. These stories also illustrate the powerlessness of women from protecting themselves from the various gender injustices in the society.
In this “Text”, human beings that are not vulnerable are described as very cruel towards the less powerful. These human beings do not take time to think about the consequences of their actions and the sufferings the victims are made to go through. It also shows that human beings are, at most time, interested in satisfying themselves even if others are left suffering as the story of Tamar and the unnamed woman illustrate. I think the “Texts” illustrate that God is compassionate to the vulnerable. God is manifested as a “silent listener” and observer. God allows, to a point, those seen as being favored, to extend aggression against the vulnerable. The sad ending to the victims makes the reader feel sorry and compassionate. I think the message that is being brought forward through the “Text”, centers on the relationship between God and the vulnerable. We, the reader, feel the pain, the powerless, the desolation, and therefore we silently vow to try and correct and protect those vulnerable to others.
Based on my reading of the “Text”, I think that the powerlessness of women and the ignorance of society in regard to equality contribute to vulnerability. The women in this texts are not in a position to fight their aggressors. Furthermore, men seem to be blind to the plight of the women by allowing wicked things such as rape and rejection among other things to happen to them.
Jephthah’s daughter, Hagar and the unnamed woman have the most awaking situations to me. Jephthah’s daughter was vulnerable as a result of her father’s decision. This decision was made without regard for whose life he could be affecting. His desire to defeat the enemy caused his daughter’s life. God did not demand or ask for that vow from Jephthah. His daughter paid the price for his desire. Hagar is vulnerable as a result of her fertility, being a maid to Sarah and because God’s favor bestowed on Sarah. But, I have to point out, that Hagar did play a part in her situation. Her mockery of Sarah contributed to her being forced out with her child. In this case, the maid seems to think she had power over Sarah, but that power was eventually taken away. The unnamed woman was vulnerable simply because she was a woman without any male protection and therefore she was powerless.
Jephthah’s daughter story can be seen in my local community. Some women may find themselves doing things for the sake of their parents such as marrying a spouse that has been chosen by the parent; Or, marrying out of necessity if they can’t afford to take care of their children. This situation could have been my mother’s life when my father passed away. The story of Hagar is exemplified in the male dominated society that is still practiced in certain regions. A maid may find herself mistreated by the mistress because of the perception that the man of the house is favoring the maid. On the story of the unnamed woman, it is easier to relate since women are the victims of many rapes in society as a result of their powerlessness.
This book gave me a deeper understanding of the scripture in the fact that it enlightened me about some of the evil things that have occurred and continue to occur. The challenge for the Christian reader is to correct such injustices in our current communities and the world. Furthermore, the scriptures are a good reference point in regard to gauging the progress that the world has made in addressing the injustices. Incidences of the mistreatment of women in society remain very rampant in the current world. After many years, little progress has been achieved in addressing mistreatment and abuse of women in some parts of the world.
Attachments: