Joel M Bradshaw

27If she has made herself impure and been unfaithful to her husband, this will be the result: When she is made to drink the water that brings a curse and causes bitter suffering, it will enter her, her abdomen will swell and her womb will miscarry, and she will become a curse. 28If, however, the woman has not made herself impure, but is clean, she will be cleared of guilt and will be able to have children.–Numbers 5

1. THIS WAS A PATRIARCHAL WORLD WHERE ANY HUSBAND COULD SIMPLY ACCUSE HIS WIFE OF UNFAITHFULNESS.
2. THESE WERE FOR CASES WERE ADULTERY WAS SUSPECTED, BUT THERE WERE NO ADDITIONAL WITNESSES.
3. GOD DESIGNED A TEST WHERE HE PROCLAIMED HIMSELF THE WITNESS.
4. THUS, THE TRUE GUILT OR INNOCENCE WOULD BE PRONOUNCED BY GOD.
5. A GUILTY WIFE WOULD BEAR HER GUILT.
6. AN INNOCENT WIFE WOULD BE SUPERNATURALLY CLEARED BY GOD, HIMSELF.
7. GOD WAS THEREFORE AN ADVOCATE FOR THESE WOMEN FROM BEING MISTREATED AND UNFAIRLY ACCUSED.–JMB