Page 13 - lesson44.vp

Lesson 44 Hope of Israel Ministries BIBLE Correspondence Course 13

with Him.
2. Did the LORD YEHOVAH God con-
sider this covenant between Himself and Israel a
MARRIAGE CONTRACT, OR AGREE-
MENT? Ezekiel 16:8. Read also Jeremiah
31:32. Note the word HUSBAND. Notice the “I
do” agreement made by the “wife” -- Israel -- to
her “Husband,” YEHOVAH God, in Exodus
19:8 and Exodus 24:7.
COMMENT: Now you see that the Old
Covenant was TYPICAL of a marriage contract Eye-smarting “smog” is a terrible curse suffered
between a man and woman. It was, SYM- by many city dwellers.
BOLICALLY speaking, a MARRIAGE agree- agreed to keep? Leviticus 26:1-3.
ment between the LORD of the Old Covenant 4. Then did He point out the BLES-
and the nation -- the ancient church -- of Israel. SINGS that the congregation of Israel, His wife,
The people of Israel ACCEPTED the terms that could have IF they would live by the law they
YEHOVAH gave them. They bound themselves agreed to keep? Read Leviticus 26:4-13. But if
by the Old Covenant to refrain from any they would not obey, what did He warn would
ADULTEROUS or WHORISH RELATIONS happen to them? Read verses 14 through 39.
with the false “gods” of other nations -- and to COMMENT: Notice also in Jeremiah
remain chaste and acceptable to their own “hus- 3:14 that YEHOVAH God commanded Israel,
band” -- YEHOVAH God (Exodus 34:12-17). His wife: “Turn, O backsliding children ... for I
In other words, Israel agreed not to
WORSHIP the false gods of the Gentiles and to AM MARRIED UNTO YOU!"
There you have it. YEHOVAH God was
be OBEDIENT to YEHOVAH God! SYMBOLICALLY married to the congregation
3. In the space of at least nine short
months after Israel had agreed to the covenant, of Israel -- and the marriage covenant, or agree-
ment, is known today as the “Old Covenant”!
the people had failed so badly to live by the con-
ditions of the covenant that the LORD YEHO- Based on Law
VAH God, her “husband,” found it necessary to
CORRECT His “wife.” What did He say? -- did Some ministers claim Israel was married
He first remind Israel of the covenant they had
to the Law! NOT so! Individuals don’t marry a
code of laws -- individuals
The penalty of sin -- prolonged drought renders range and farm marry other individuals! But
land useless. every marriage is based on law
-- or else it would not be
LEGAL! One such minister
HATES YEHOVAH’s law! In
one breath he is forced to ad-
mit the law is “holy,” and
“good.” Yet in the next he
calls it a “prison house,” a
“slave driver” causing
DEATH!
1. What, according to

The Meaning of Marriage -- Part One