With regard to Reuben Bartolo’s letter Divorce And The Bible (October 11), I would like to clarify a few points by way of my humble contribution, for the benefit of readers who are not quite conversant with the connection that exists between the Holy Scripture and its interpretation (this will be my only contribution on this matter due to other commitments).
The correspondent posed a string of questions quoting Old Testament Law and, as if to seal his queries with the stamp of approval, he quotes the very words of Jesus with regard to the law (Mt 5:17).
The questions dealt with the subject of slavery, selling one’s offspring into slavery, working on the Sabbath etc. All the questions were accompanied by chapter and verse from the book of Leviticus (which served as a handbook for the priesthood as well as a guide that touched upon every aspect of the life of the Israelites) and another quotation was lifted from the book of Exodus.
Answering all these questions is not possible in a correspondence page since this requires reams and countless weeks of serious research, though I’m sure for those willing to live a better life according to Jesus’s very own words a few pointers will not go amiss: (1) When quoting the Holy Scripture, one is obliged to read the whole book for better understanding; (2) try to understand the context of the book’s message; (3) consider the socio/political situation and the circumstances of the era in which a particular nation/people was living at the time of writing; (4) never evaluate or compare a particular socio/legal system of a particular people that existed thousands of years ago with one’s own modern system. The same goes when quoting the New Testament; one has to be very careful with comparisons/interpretation, especially when quoting Jesus.
To be fair, Jesus, a teacher par excellence, teaches with authority. Whenever he quotes Old Testament law he follows it by a clear explanation that will eliminate all doubts or confusion in the minds of his listeners. Through the spirit of his teaching, Jesus brought the Old Testament law to completion (to perfection, thus giving it a more profound and humane meaning). That is what he meant when he said, “I have not come to abolish the law or the Prophets, but to fulfill them (Mt 5:17).
Examples: “You have learnt how it was said: You must not commit adultery, but I say to you: If a man looks at a woman lustfully, he has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Mt 5:27). Or, “It has also been said: Anyone who divorces his wife, must give her a writ of dismissal. But I say to you: Everyone who divorces his wife, except for the case of fornication (incestuous union) makes her an adulteress and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.” (Mt 5:32). Or, “You have learnt how it was said: Eye for eye and tooth for tooth, but I say to you, offer the wicked man no resistance. On the contrary, if anyone hits you on the right cheek offer him the other as well; if a man takes you to law and would have your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.” (Mt 5:38-39). This is not to say that Jesus wants to make fools out of his disciples; he never forbade self-defence. What he means is: Do not return evil for evil as required and sanctioned by Jewish law.
So here we have it, a contrast between vendetta which was licit in Old Testament times and forgiveness which is a duty and a sign of mercy. If this is not perfection of the law I don’t know what is.
The choice rests with each individual, i.e. either hanker after the exacting Old Testament law or live the perfect merciful and forgiving law of God as taught by Jesus.