The Role of the Home in Ancient Israelite Life
The house was much more than a dwelling
In ancient Israel the house was a lot more than a place to live. The house provided a base for family life, education, worship, identity and obedience to God. To the nation of Israel, the house was one of the most significant areas of covenant living was lived out.
Family and Structure
Ancient Israelite houses typically consisted of more than just parents and their children. Grandparents, servants, relatives and other extended family members can be included as part of the larger house structure. The importance of family to Israel is evident because Israel is a nation based upon tribes, clans and inheritance.
Children do not develop as individuals outside of family relationships. Children are part of a people, tribe and lineage of family. The house teaches children their place in Israel. They hear the history of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. They are informed about the redemption from Egypt, the wandering in the desert, the giving of the law and the covenants made with the forefathers.
House as Place of Instruction
God instructed Israel to teach his laws to their children diligently. This teaching was not confined to formal meetings or priestly instruction. Rather it occurred in the course of daily life when families ate together, walked together, worked together, rested together and prepared for each new day.
Parents were responsible to instruct their children in obedience, reverence and remembrance. The words of God were intended to transform speech, behavior, decision making and cultural practices in their homes.
In an ancient black North East African Israelite house, children would have been instructed through story telling, correction, example and repetition. Children would have seen their parents keeping appointed times, preparing meals in accordance with God's instructions regarding the meal preparation and speaking about God's work among His people.
Meals and Hospitality as Part of Daily Living
Meals played a large role in ancient Israelite home life. Meals brought families together and often carried spiritual significance. For example, the Passover commemorated the remembering of how God redeemed His people from slavery and judged Egypt for oppressing them.
Hospitality was also important. Welcoming guests, providing hospitality for strangers within the boundaries established by God for Israelite hospitality, and taking care of immediate family members demonstrated honor and righteousness. The house was a place where generosity could occur; however, always within the boundaries of what is acceptable under God's laws and identity.
Strength of Women in the House
Women were instrumental in the functioning of the ancient Israelite house. Women were not merely passive participants in the life of the nation. Women managed houses, raised children, cooked meals, worked with fabrics/threads, contributed financially to their family's economy and helped preserve their culture.
Wisdom in a woman will strengthen her house. Mothers modeled for their children how to behave and obey God. A mother's influence is crucial to raising the next generation through both instruction and example. The house relies heavily on a woman's labor, wisdom, and devotion.
When we consider the Bible from an Israelite perspective, we realize that family life has never been simply casual. Family life has always been intentional. A household had to be protected, taught and preserved.
Worship at Home
While there were many aspects of worship at the temple and through priests, there remained a connection between the home and worship. The Sabbath affected the household. Preparation for feasts affected the household. Laws concerning clean and unclean affected the household. All forms of marriage, childbirth/motherhood/birth, grief/grief processes/inheritance impacted household life.
God's laws permeate every aspect of household life. Obedience occurs privately; it is not only publicly practiced. Obedience is practiced practically; it is not solely abstractly thought about.
Recalling the Ancient Israeli House
The ancient Israeli house served as an area of identity for its inhabitants; it was a place where instruction occurred; it was a space of discipline; it was warm; it was an area of remembrance. Through this means, the house was a contributing factor in maintaining unity throughout the nation. The house assisted in instilling an understanding of who they were as Black Hebrews to their children.
In order to accurately interpret the Bible; we must go back to whom it was originally written for -- Israel. An ancient Israeli house does not represent universalism. Instead, it represents covenant space within a chosen nation.
Begin reading my True Hebrews series - racially accurate biblical stories that reflect how these stories were originally intended to be told.
