Given that we are all designed to be autonomous and really cannot control another human being without the use of manipulation or force the use of covenants and agreements in marriage is of utmost importance. Covenant/Marriage is a contract, an agreement between 2 parties, both parties have their area of responsibility, to be executed faithfully. What if one party breaks the agreement/contract/vow. Within every well made covenant the consequences for breaking it are usually there.
Fresh Flower Bouquets OnlineYou ask, “Why?” It is because The Most High is the witness between you and the wife of your youth. You have been unfaithful to her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant………..So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful…Malachi 2 v 14-16. 14
Another reason why a covenant is so beneficial is that it allows each person to take responsibility for playing their part, while facilitating their agreement of those roles.
Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so? Amos 3 v 3
The blessing of a mutually satisfying marriage is far reaching. It acts as a model for the next generation and provides numerous emotional, financial and spiritual benefits, to those involved.
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:
10 If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.
11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Eccl 4 v 9-12
The Most High is our role model
The Most High is our ultimate example and He made a covenant with The Nation of Israel.
It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them,” declares the Most High. Jer. 31v32
So in order to know what you are agreeing to the terms and conditions are usually outlined. So in making the covenant with Israel he told Moses what he expected of them.
Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. They responded, “We will do everything the Most High has said; we will obey.” 8 Moses then took the blood, sprinkled it on the people and said, “This is the blood of the covenant that the Most High has made with you in accordance with all these words.”Exodus 24 v 8
Notice that the expectations of the person seeking to make the covenant were outlined and stipulated so that the other party could agree freely or disagree if they wanted to. Israel agreed by saying “We will do it”.
In this context Israel is the bride and The Almighty is the Groom. In agreeing to the covenant she is expected to be faithful to Him by keeping the torah/instructions. However Israel was not a faithful wife and she went astray.
And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also.”
Jeremiah 3 v 8
Covenants are either kept or broken
Once a covenant is broken then it is no longer binding and the consequences outlined in it takes effect. Deut 24 v 1-4 If a man marries a woman who becomes displeasing to him because he finds something indecent about her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce, gives it to her and sends her from his house, 2 and if after she leaves his house she becomes the wife of another man, 3 and her second husband dislikes her and writes her a certificate of divorce, gives it to her and sends her from his house, or if he dies, 4 then her first husband, who divorced her, is not allowed to marry her again after she has been defiled.
The greek word used in the new testament that has been translated as fornication or sexual immorality is the word Z,not and it really means to go astray. This word going astray is what is sometimes translated as Idolatry or sin. According To James Trimm in an article he wrote the word carries a serious connotation as it relates to disobeying instructions or being unfaithful. Husbands hold the same kind of headship over their wives that Messiah holds over the Assembly. The Male female relationship is actually a physical representation of Messiah and the Assembly.
In agreeing to be in covenant they agreed to obey. In a similar fashion when a woman agrees to be in covenant with a man she agrees to obey him based on what was outlined in their covenant.
Sirach 25v 25-26
25Allow water no outlet,
and no boldness of speech to a wicked woman.
26If she does not go along as you direct, cut her away from you
To be continued…..