Thursday, October 27, 2011

What is her name?

I don't know why this is frustrating to me, since the Bible is full of stories about women with scant details provided, but it bothers me that we do not know the name of the "Samaritan woman at the well."  We know her "sins" -- that she was married 5 times and that the man she is currently "with" is not her husband-- but we do not know her name. 

One commentary I read calls the Samaritan woman a "model Christian."  I have to agree with this opinion. After all, she listens to Jesus, trusts Him enough to ask questions, and then understands who Jesus is -- the Christ, the long awaited for Messiah.  Next she goes and enthusiastically tells others about Him.  Finally, she brings others to sit at His feet and learn from Him.  So even though she is a "sinner" -- she is a model of a true believer. 

This same commentary compares the Samaritan woman to Paul, who was a killer and persecutor of Christians before having an encounter with Christ that changed his life.  He became a great evangelist and leader in the Church.

But what about the "Samaritan woman?"  How do we know the story of "Paul/Saul" but not even the Samaritan woman's given name?  Is it because she is a woman?  Is it because her "sins" were particularly heinous?  What exactly were her sins, anyway? What happened with her first 5 husbands?  Was she a prostitute?  We'll never know for sure....

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