According to Jeremiah 3:14 … God IS INDEED married! (Where do we think the very concept of marriage originated? In the Heart of God our Creator, certainly!)
“Thus saith the LORD; for I am MARRIED unto you.” Jehovah God speaking to the little nation of Israel!
Isaiah 54:5 attests to this fact as well: “For thy Maker is thine HUSBAND; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel.”
I mean married with “vows” being exchanged and commitments made, in a ceremony of sorts! That Event occurred early in Israel’s history.
Jeremiah 31:32 mentions that special relationship, from God’s Viewpoint … “The covenant (involving vows) that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an HUSBAND unto them, saith the LORD.”
Yes, sadly Israel broke her marriage vows!
But … here’s some very good news … God is faithful, even when we are not! (2 Timothy 2:13 … “If we believe not, yet HE abideth FAITHFUL: he cannot deny himself.)
And indeed He will prove that faithfulness again and again in the coming ages. Israel, when finally “right” with God, faces a bright future!
Is God married?
Oh yes!
Now, is Jesus married?
Yes as well!
The Church is throughout Paul’s writings called the Bride of Christ, John’s material too.
Paul to the Corinthians for example … “For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one HUSBAND, that I may present you as a chaste VIRGIN to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 11:2, to Jesus of course.
Now Paul yet again … “Husbands, love your wives, even as CHRIST also loved the CHURCH, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Ephesians 5:25-27, an illustration of a divine Reality!
John now, from Patmos … “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the MARRIAGE of the Lamb (Jesus) is come, and his WIFE (the Church) hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.” Revelation 19:7-9
Why this discussion today?
Two reasons …
First, to remind us of the great love (everlasting and unconditional) God has for His people.
Second, to remind us of our need to live faithfully unto our Husband, our Lord, our Saviour! Who loved us so much, He died on our behalf!
“Married!”
Praise the Lord!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
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