Contemplative Bible Reading

Isaiah 4:1 (New Living Translation)

1 In that day so few men will be left that seven women will fight for each man, saying, “Let us all marry you! We will provide our own food and clothing. Only let us take your name so we won’t be mocked as old maids.”

We don’t use the phrase “old maid” anymore. We’ve gone beyond childish mocking, I guess. The prophet Isaiah is telling God’s people about a bad time that is coming. The men will go to war in the army and be killed. Six-sevenths of the men will be killed. Losses like that are unprecedented. Losses like that devastate a society.

Seven women will fight over one man who remains from the war. Polygamy was allowed, so the seven woman would happily share the one husband.

No, that would not be a good situation for anyone involved. That, however, is how bad the punishment from God would be. Everyone would prefer this awful situation instead of the alternative. If a woman had no husband and no children, the second half of her life would be awful. She would sit on a street corner and beg for a sip of water, a crumb of bread, and a rag to shelter her from the elements.

Life without God is awful. The bad part is there is no hope for the future. Things will not be better some day. Life without God is awful. Thank you God for creating a life for me where someone pointed me towards you and told me to choose.