Unctions of the Spirit

THE FIRST UNITY IN MARRIAGE

By: Gary L. Rodgers

The first unity in marriage is an interesting study when cross-referencing it with a study on the ancient Jewish marriage custom.

I would like to begin my study in Genesis 2:22 in the last part of the verse where it says “And brought her unto the man.” In Genesis 2:18 – 25, we find the story of Adam falling into a deep sleep and God took from his side a rib and formed a woman. Unlike Adam who was formed from the dust of the earth Eve was formed from the very flesh and bone of Adam himself thus making their unity a very personal one flesh tie between the two of them. Think of it; two human beings made from the flesh and bone of one. After Eve had been formed it was God who brought her to Adam. This is a picture of a father bringing his daughter and presenting her to her husband. After Adam met Eve and rightly so Adam was able to say that the woman was now bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh, Adam was the means that God used to give Eve the bride her physical body. Equally interesting is that Christ (the second Adam – 1 Corinthians 15:45) died on the cross (fell into a deep sleep – John 11:11 – 14) and from His pierced side issued blood and water (John 19:34); Christ gave His bride a living spiritual body. (1 Corinthians 15: 35-55)

In the wilderness the rock was struck and it issued out life-giving waters to the saving of the physical body. (Exodus 17:6) On the cross Jesus Christ (The rock of our salvation – Psalm 95:1) was struck to justify us by His blood and sanctification through the water by the washing of regeneration. (John 7:38 & 39, John 19:34, Titus 3:5)

ANCIENT BIBLICAL MARRIAGE CUSTOMS

In studies that I have made in the past on the ancient custom of marriage in biblical times I thought that it revealed some interesting facts. I have since long misplaced my notes and references on the matter but recall much of what I had found on the subject and will try to make biblical and historical reference to the same.

• The first step in the Betrothal was to settle the matter of the Bride Price (Dowry – Exodus 22:17) In I Corinthians 6:19 & 20 we are told that we have been bought with a price. The dowry that Christ gave for His bride was His shed blood, and the water that issued from the wound in His side was to purify His bride. Ephesians 5:25 & 26.
• During the Espousal or Betrothal period the bride and groom made a commitment by covenant (Malachi 2:14, Ezekiel 16:8) to one another during a special ceremony that so united the two together that nothing could break this covenant other than death or a writing of divorcement. The consummation of the marriage did not take place at this time. There were other preparations that needed tending to before this could happen.
• The bride would remain in her parent’s home where she would be in waiting  (the period of grace – the bride being set apart or sanctified – redeemed by the groom) until her husband came back for her to take her to their final home.
• The groom would then make preparations for him to receive his bride during the espousal period. By custom the groom would add onto his father’s house where he and his bride would live. (John 14:2 & 3) “In my Father’s house are many mansions:” – “I go to prepare a place for you ………………”)
• The espousal period generally ran for a one year time period and sometimes longer than that. The bride was to keep herself faithful to her groom and always in readiness since she had no idea when her Husband (Lord) would come for her. (Matthew 24:36 & 44, Matthew 25:13, Mark 13:32 & 33,)
• During the espousal period the groom would send his friend (friend of the bridegroom – The best man by today’s understanding) to speak with the bride to make sure that all of her needs were met and that he (The friend of the Bridegroom) would bring back word from her regarding any needs that she may have while she was in waiting. All of this is a picture of the working of the Holy Spirit and the active prayer life of the Christian. The Holy Spirit works in our lives and takes the prayers that we offer up to God and presents them to God with groanings which cannot be uttered.

^{Romans 8:26} Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

²⁷ And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what [is] the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to [the will of] God.

• At a set time (traditionally at night) the groom and his entourage would go to receive his bride. While in route to receive his bride the bride would hear the sounding of trumpets and a shout (“Behold the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.” Matthew 25: 6,   I Thessalonians 4:16) that the groom was on his way and the bride with her maidens (five wise virgins – Matthew 25:1 – 13) would prepare themselves and then she (the bride) would go out in all of her wedding apparel and jewelry and meet with her groom. (This pictures the Rapture of the Bride the church to come up hither – Revelation 4:1 – Raptured away). A second ceremony would occur at the home of the Bridegroom where the marriage was consummated (Genesis 29:23) and a great feast would begin (Marriage supper of the Lamb) and the bride and groom from that point on would remain together forever. ( I Thessalonians 4:17, John 14:3)

Note: In Matthew 1:18 the verse says that “Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together,” This coming together would have been during the second half of the marriage where consummation was permitted. In ancient Jewish weddings when the groom came for his bride and she was escorted to the grooms home that he prepared for his bride, it was the parents of the bride that took her to the bridal chamber (Chuppah) where the bride and groom would consummate their marriage.

JOB

I would like to insert a note here regarding Job and the one flesh relationship. We find in the story of Job that Satan came before the Lord and the Lord asked Satan if he had considered His servant Job that there is none like him in the earth? And Satan said “does Job fear God for nought?” You have built a hedge about him and have protected him on all sides. Remove the hedge and let me touch him and he will curse you to your face. So the Lord told Satan that all that Job had was in his power, “only upon himself put not forth thine hand.” (Job 1:12) As we read on we find that all of Job’s wealth was taken from him, and he lost his children as well. What a horrible day for Job, yet Job maintained his integrity and “sinned not, nor charged God foolishly”. (Job 1:22)

SATAN’S SECOND ATTEMPT TO SWAY JOB TO CURSE GOD

And again we read where Satan came before the presence of the Lord and again the Lord asked Satan if he had considered His servant Job? A perfect and upright man, one that feareth God and avoids evil. Satan goes on to say “touch his bone and his flesh (Job 2:5) and he will curse thee to thy face.” So again the Lord told Satan that Job was in his hand “save (except for) his life.” (Job 2:6)

There are some wonderful points in these first two chapters of Job:

• The beauty of knowing that God has a hedge of protection built around us. (Job 1:10) We are held in God’s hand like a precious jewel. He will never let us go and no one is able to take us from Him. (John 10:28 – 30)
• Satan can never touch our life without God’s permission. (Job 1:12, 2:5 & 6)
• The one point that I would like to make is this. As a provider for my family and as a father it would have slain me to not only lose my family’s financial means of support but it would have touched the very core of my heart to have lost all of my children in one sweeping blow. What a heartbreaking challenge to face! But even more difficult than that would have been for me to lose my wife! The very thought that someday my wife and I may part from one another in death is most troubling for me and very hard to bear. It is my earnest prayer that we will live to be raptured out together from this present life.

Notice that of all the things that Satan was permitted to do, that he could not so much as put a scratch on Mrs. Job. To do so would have meant that Satan had touched the very life of Job. That one flesh relationship between a man and woman is so intermingled and binding that you cannot touch the life of the one without touching the life of the other.

What did the Lord tell Satan?

• “only upon himself put not forth thine hand.” Job 1:12
• “Behold, he is in thine hand; but save (except for) his life.” Job 2:6

Notice a very curious thing that Satan said in Job 2: 5

“But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.” What did Adam say when God brought Eve to him in Genesis 2:23? “This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh:”

Satan in all of his wicked craftiness tried to get The Lord to touch the very life of Mrs. Job; thus touching the life of Job himself. But the Tempter failed in his miserable plan and praise God we will someday be rid of Satan forever.

Marriage is not something that should ever be entered into lightly. And it should not be entered into unless both parties are saved born again believers in Christ. (2 Corinthians 6:14 -18) If marriage is a picture of the unity between Christ and the church then it is even more important that we are equally yoked together in Spirit and Purpose.

This Is a Special Day to Remember

(A wedding poem)

By: Gary L. Rodgers

This is a special day to remember, a day in which a man and a woman are bound together by covenant as one. From the side of man close to his heart, bone of his bone was taken and a woman was formed; and in man’s side there still remains a void, an emptiness that can only be filled by receiving unto him that which was taken from him: And they being two shall become complete as one.

This is a special day to remember, a day where two shall be coupled together in heart, in spirit, and in purpose; a day where two shall be poured together into a vow to become united as one. Like two glasses of water having been poured together, who can separate the one without touching the other?

This is a special day to remember, a day where a promise to stand together through all of life’s joys and struggles shall be shared as one; where the commitment to love, to cherish, and to honor one another will strengthen the very foundation of your bond.

This is a special day to remember, a day wherein the instruction of your mother and father shall be magnified by your loyalty and obedience to each other; nurtured and sanctified by forgiveness and understanding.

This is a special day to remember, a day where you will come together as one.  From the time of your birth, through childhood and adolescence to this very day that was set aside as your special day; a day where your promises to each other have been witnessed, sealed in heaven, and written upon your hearts. This is, a special day to remember!

AN INVITATION TO THE MARRIAGE SUPPER OF THE LAMB

Christ our Redeemer stands upon the threshold of His second coming. It could happen at any moment. Will you be seated at the Table of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb? Or will you be one of those on the outside where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth? (Matthew 22:9-13)

Christ went to the cross for a reason. That reason was you and me. When He hung on the cross He looked down through the centuries at all of the faces of those that He was dying for. He saw your face and He saw mine. He paid the penalty for our sins because He loved us. The choice to be saved is yours. No one can make that decision for you. Won’t you come and be a part of this great celebration? If your answer is yes then please bow your head in prayer and repeat the following words.

Dear Lord, I confess that I am a sinner. Please forgive me for all of my sin and wash them away with your blood. I believe and trust you with my eternal life. I know that you died on the cross for me personally. I know that you were buried in a tomb and I believe that you resurrected from the dead and are now seated at the right hand of God the Father. Please come into my heart and be my Lord and Savior. May the Holy Spirit teach me and instruct me in the way that I should go. Amen!

If you made a decision to pray and ask Christ to forgive you, and to wash away all of your sin with His blood, and to come into your heart to be your Savior, then we praise God for you.

^{Romans 10:13} For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

You should write down the:

Date: _______________________

Time: __________________________

Place: _______________________________________________________

of your decision. Record this information in your Bible as a record of that decision. It is part of your testimony.

Please contact us through Myerstown Baptist Church, 59 N. Ramona Road, Myerstown PA. 17067 to let us know that you have made a decision for Christ so that we can pray for you and rejoice with you. We would like to send you some information to help you get started in your Christian walk.

Thank you, and may the Lord richly bless you!