Nougat 19

I have been intrigued by nose rings. They are trending in several fashion spaces. While I’m not interested in getting a piercing, on the nostril or the septum, I was intrigued to note that it was trending in biblical times. Consider today’s Holy Nougat

“He had seen the nose-ring and the bracelets on his sister’s wrists, and had heard Rebekah tell what the man had said. So he rushed out to the spring, where the man was still standing beside his camels.” Genesis‬ ‭24:30‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Laban’s haste to meet the person behind the nose ring may be seen as commendable. As the male head of household (for there is no mention of another), it was incumbent upon him to ensure the best match for his sisters. And there was no doubt that Rebekah was being offered for – in those days, the nose ring was one way of proposing. Coupled with her story and the other gifts; it would not require much deduction on Laban‘s part.

And yet I am uncomfortable with his reaction. For having the insights of his interactions with his nephew years later; I am not wholly convinced of his motives. To me, Laban was an opportunist – therefore his going out to meet Abraham‘s servant was less about filial responsibility and more related to feathering his own nest. He might not have cared about the character of his in-laws or their religious beliefs. Laban was interested in the bottle line.

While this is perhaps presumption and projection and even prejudice against Laban; there is a painful reality of life today. There are girls – yes girls – whose guardians (and parents) happily hand them over to the highest bidder in the same manner as Laban. And yes, the bride price is customary in several of those contexts. But not always. In some cases, it is simply economics.

We call much of that behavior Human Trafficking. Not all cases, but some. As people of faith, children of God and followers of Jesus; we MUST get involved when we become aware of such practices in our sphere. If/When we sense that a person’s motives aren’t pure towards a family member; let’s investigate and do the necessary. We may be saving someone’s life.

On another note, we note that a bride price has been paid for each of us. Paid in full at Calvary. The verification has been made and Jesus, our bride groom, desires to take us Home with Him. And we don’t have to get our nostrils pierced. Jesus was pierces for us already. Like Rebekah, we have the unique option of accepting or rejecting His invitation to be eternally bound for ourselves. No one should force it upon us. This day, Jesus declares His forever Love towards each of us Will our answer remain yes?

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May all we seek be found in Christ