If you have ever watched Kindergarten Cop starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, there is one boy in class who regularly asks questions well beyond his age. Likewise, as I former High School Bible teacher, I had to be prepared at a moment’s notice to answer tough questions. Since sex was often on the mind of my students, the topic of masturbation was a common probing question.
Then Judah told Onan, Marry your brother’s widow; live with her and raise offspring for your brother.9 But Onan knew that the family would not be his, so when he cohabited with his brother’s widow, he prevented conception, lest he should raise up a child for his brother. 10 And the thing which he did displeased the Lord; therefore He slew him also, Genesis 38:8-10.
On the surface, Moses words above seem mundane. However, two key expressions give away what’s going on, cohabited and prevented conception. Like an R Rate movie when aired on public television, you have to read between the lines. First, Onan had no problem sleeping with Tamar. However, to avoid having children, Onan pulled out just prior to ejaculating.
You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery. 28 But I say to you that everyone who so much as looks at a woman with evil desire for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.29 If your right eye serves as a trap to ensnare you or is an occasion for you to stumble and sin, pluck it out and throw it away. It is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be cast into hell (Gehenna). 30 And if your right hand serves as a trap to ensnare you or is an occasion for you to stumble and sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better that you lose one of your members than that your entire body should be cast into hell (Gehenna), Matthew 5:27-30.
When you put everything together, this is why scholar refers to Genesis 38:9 as the most direct connection to masturbation in the Bible. From a New Testament perspective, Jesus explains why masturbation is wrong during His Sermon on the Mount. Whether someone is using a magazine or watching sexually explicit films, the act of masturbation involves adultery. Whatever brings you to the point of masturbation, you’re actually committing adultery in your heart. May today’s blog speak to your heart and educate you on what God desires and how you should live your life.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 