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A Metaphor of Union with God

Throughout Scripture the marriage union is a metaphor or picture of the relationship between God and his people. In the Old Testament, Israel is pictured as the wife of Yahweh. When Israel became unfaithful and worshiped other gods, she was described as a harlot (Jer 3:1; Eze 23). Her spiritual adultery became so despicable in God’s sight that he issued a writing of divorcement (Jer 3:8). Actually, this was a separation, as God in his great love for his chosen people could not bear to cut off Israel without a promise of renewal (Hos 2:14–20; 5:15).

In the Epistles and in Revelation, the church is described as the bride of Christ. The experience of obtaining a bride is similar for both Adam and Christ—Adam was put to sleep; Christ was laid in a tomb. When Christ came to earth in human form, he left his Father. When he began his earthly ministry and ultimately died on the cross, he left his mother. This was for the purpose of cleaving to the object of his love—his people. As he is received into the heart of each sinner, they become one flesh (Ge 2:24; 1Co 6:15).

The whole focus and course of a life is changed both by marriage and a personal experience with Jesus Christ. Marriage (1Co 7:3) and becoming a child of God (Mk 8:34; 1Co 6:20; 7:23) both demand death to self and accountability to God and to others. A wife or husband cannot be faithful to more than one partner, as a Christian cannot serve any other God (Mt 6:24). Believers should have no hesitation in giving themselves in totality to God because of the high price he paid for them (1Pe 1:18–19). God has given all he has to give; he now expects our all in response (Ro 12:1–2).

In marriage two hearts are grafted together, making them dependent on one another for life. This is depicted in John 15, with Jesus as the vine and believers the branches. Through the infilling of the Holy Spirit and his control in the life of both partners, this picture of marriage and the parallel relationship of Christ and his bride come into focus. The Holy Spirit fills and fulfills both.