Marriage
7: 1-13
Paul has explored the meaning of dying with Messiah (to see link click Bp – The Messianic Mikveh), and the concept of slavery (see Bt – Slaves of God), building on the groundwork already laid (see Bl – Midrash on Adam). Now, in relating these ideas to the Torah, he introduces the new analogy of marriage. It is important to understand that throughout this chapter it must be kept in mind that Paul was not anti-Torah, as some suppose, but that he had a high view of the Torah. In fact, he teaches us that the Torah is holy (Romans 7:12), perfect, and gives freedom, provided one uses it in the way the Torah itself intends (First Timothy 1:8; James 1:25), which is our blueprint for living (see the commentary on Deuteronomy Bk – The Ten Words).
Every year in the late spring I am reminded of another important wedding anniversary. This one is celebrated on the holiday of Shavu’ot (Pentecost in Greek) which is the time when the marriage took place between YHVH and His people Isra’el. You remember the history. At Passover we recount the redemption from the slavery of Egypt. Yet this nation of former slaves was taken into the wilderness on their way to the Promised Land. Unfortunately, it was a bit of a detour in the Sinai for various reasons. However, it was just 50 days after the first Passover that the people found themselves at the foot of Mount Sinai. Moshe ascended the cloud-covered mountain (reminiscent of a chuppah) and received the divine revelation of the Torah from the very presence of God. As with the Jewish wedding ceremony, the written words of Torah could rightly picture the Ketubah between the groom (God) and the bride (Isra’el). Likewise, there was a public statement of marriage at that time as the bride responded “na’aseh v’nishmah,” or: All that the Lord has spoken, we will do (Exodus 19:8). This was perhaps the most powerful “I do” in history! From that time of Shavu’ot one could say that the Jews entered into a sanctified relationship with the Holy One. Of course, this marriage, like most, has had its ups and downs. Even at some stages of the last 3500 years it seemed that divorce was inevitable. But by God’s grace, He has never cancelled the Ketubah (the Jewish marriage contract) with Isra’el as the B’rit Chadashah verifies. Paul put it this way as he speaks of Isra’el and the Jewish people: The gifts and callings of God are irrevocable (Romans 11:29). It should be noted that while Ha’Shem has never forsaken His people, the door has been opened to others beyond Isra’el to also enter this personal marriage relationship with our Groom. For those of us who believe in Yeshua as God’s Messiah, it is quite fitting that He is called the Groom for all true believers, Jew or Gentile. How perfect is the symbolism as we see Yeshua lifting the cup of the B’rit Chadashah as if to enter into the betrothal stage of the marriage with His disciples at that last meal together.
This is where we stand at this point of history. God entered into the marriage with all the people who said “I do” on that first Shavu’ot. How appropriate it is to look at this holiday as the spiritual anniversary for all who have said “I do” to the great bridegroom, Messiah Yeshua. As with our earthly anniversaries, it seems that Shavu’ot is the perfect time to consider our original biblical vows and to prayerfully evaluate them. God has certainly fulfilled His part of the contract. How do you measure up to those vows of the Ketubah on this upcoming anniversary on Shavu’ot this year? Chag Shavu’ot semayach! (Happy Shavu’ot Holiday)!
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