Good Morning.
When he has made her drink the water, then it shall be, if she has defiled herself and behaved unfaithfully toward her husband, that the water that brings a curse will enter her and become bitter … But if the woman has not defiled herself, and is clean, then she shall be free and may conceive children. (Numbers 5:27-28)
The type of unfaithfulness described in these passages is likened unto “treachery.” Interestingly enough, that is the same term used to describe someone taking something holy from the Sanctuary to use it for one’s own personal use. The connection is interesting because it insinuates that when two are married, they don’t belong to themselves, they belong to their spouse — they are “one.” So those who were unfaithful were considered to be defiled, in other words, a harlot. Playing the harlot is something Israel was habitually guilty of thus making the God of Israel the jilted husband.
Marriage between a man and a woman is based on covenantal relationship and is intended to train us to view our relationship with God in that manner. If He is the husband, then we are expected to be the faithful wife in ways that surpass our limited understanding of marriage. In other words, we must learn that marriage between man and woman is not so that our physical desires can be quenched. Marriage is a sacred relationship that demands purity and faithfulness because it is to mirror our relationship with the Creator as His wife –- or not. The Ordeal of Jealousy teaches us that, in some cases, secret sins will be found out; in other cases, faithfulness will be revealed.
If we are to be His wife, we must be pure and above reproach, having no spots, wrinkles and anything else that would defile. We must strive for holiness and, as a chaste bride, make ourselves ready. As Paul said, “You, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight” (Colossians 1:21-22).
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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