Fifteen thought provoking pictures, paintings and drawings
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The following descriptions are still under construction
and may include
thoughts that
are a little disjointed and
incomplete. (It is still in the process of re-write, so please check back weekly). Also, some
of thoughts may sound a little harsh depending on your circumstances, I
don’t mean them to be, but it’s my understanding of the Gospel of forgiveness.
Pictures that reflect the heart of God
Jesus taught by word and...
...deed!!!
An adulteress leaving Jesus (Notice the stones on the ground)
What is a Covenant?
A covenant is...
1) A solemn agreement between two parties.
2) Made in the fear of God (who is a witness between the
parties)
3) Can be broken by either party, but cannot be
endedunless one partner dies (Romans 7:2 -3; 1
Cor 7:39; Mark 10:2-12; Luke 16:18). It’s an irrevocable decision that cannot be canceled
by anyone. (see Paul’s discussion on the Law (i.e. Old Covenant), and how it
was binding on generations that were not present when the covenant was made. Also,
see Paul’s discussion on how the law (i.e. Old Covenant) was broken many
times but it did not end until someone died... Christ Jesus)
___________________
An example of a modern day
covenant...
To the man the minister shall say...
“Wilt thou have this Woman to thy wedded wife, to live together after God’s ordinance,
in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor, and keep her, in
sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye
both shall live?”(Till death do you part?)
To the woman the minister shall say...
”Wilt thou have this Man to thy wedded husband, to live together after God’s
ordinance, in the estate of matrimony? Wilt thou obey him and serve him, love, honor,
and keep him, in sickness and in health; and forsaking all others, keep thee only unto
him,
so long as ye both shall live?” (Till death do you part?)
Now...“As a pledge and in token of the vows between us made, with this ring I thee wed...As a
token and seal of this covenant,
you
will now give and receive the marriage ring, and join your right hands...Those who God
hath joined together let no man put asunder.”
Some biblical examples of
Covenants...
Joshua makes a covenant with someone who lied
to him.
Joshua made a covenant with the enemy that was still binding on Saul. (The enemy
tricked Joshua into making the covenant, notice it was NOT
ANNULLED, but remained a valid covenant Joshua 9:3-27). When
Saul broke
it Israel was punished - later. (King David suffered a drought because of what Saul did, 2
Samuel 21. When people in authority make a covenant, all the people under them enter
into it. Therefore, because of Saul’s disobedience to it all the people suffered, hence the
drought on the land.)
Its important to note here that Joshua’s covenant with the enemy was still in effect many
years after it was made AND it was still in effect even
though one party (Saul) broke it. Covenants are irrevocable. The offending party
sometimes need to be punished. (hence the
drought). BTW Joshua’s sin was not asking the counsel of the Lord
before he made the
covenant.
Michal (David’s wife), helps her husband escape
from Saul
by letting him down through a window. (1 Samuel 19:11-17)
David had many problems the King. King Saul didn’t like David and one of the things
King Saul did was to give away
David’s wife Michal to another man. (1 Samuel 25:44). Now the King had the highest
authority in the land, but in spite of that David eventually reclaimed his wife. (2 Sam
3:13-16). The
first covenant was not revocable by the second one that was made. It was an illegitimate
covenant, thus IT COULD BE ANNULLED. Again, it
was without foundation (David never gave a writ of divorce) therefore the second
‘husband’ could get married again since - in the eyes of
God - he never was married (covenanted) to David’s wife to begin with. Jesus talks
about this type of relationship as one that committing adultery. (Matthew
5:32)
Covenants, as said before, are
irrevocable. (Unless of course, you have a hard want to live under the Law. See the
LAWS of Moses on the subject).
As a side point, it’s important to note here
that no prophet came and told David that what he was doing was a sin. They were not
afraid to confront David and God would definitely talk to them if David was doing
something wrong. (See him wanting to build the temple, also what he did to Uriah the
Hittite)
The woman at the well
The woman answered (Jesus) and said, ‘I have no
husband.’
Jesus said to her, ‘You have well said, ‘I have no husband’; for you have had five
husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband; this you have said truly. (John
4:17,18)
The reason for the multiple marriages is NOT stated.
Either her husbands had died (like the story of the woman who married 7 brothers,
Matthew 22:23-33), and / or she was a victim of multiple
divorce’s. (She was a Samaritan, hence who knows what the marriage customs of her
people were). Anyway, the point for us here is that both she and Jesus recognize that the
man she is living with is not her husband. One can look this fact in either of two ways.
Either no words were exchanged between the woman at the well and the man she was
living with. (Thus ruling out ‘common law’ marriages.) Both of them were living in a state of fornication.
or, in what is may be the case, the man she was living with was infact the
husband of another woman. (Jesus seemed intent on exposing her sins).
In either case the necessity of words being spoken -to an
available, qualified partner - is necessary for a marriage to be legitimate in the eyes of
God. If the man was still in a state of matrimony (which is the most common reading of
this text), his previous vows were not voided by the act of his living with a
partner outside the institution of marriage, even in they were in fact “married” (i.e.
second marriage). The man was simply not available, hence his
relationship with the woman was illegitimate. (‘You have well said, ‘I have no husband’
No matter what the marriage customs of her day were, in God’s sight the relationship
was illegitimate.)
Again there are different ways to look at
this text. Either common law marriages are not valid, or marriage to someone who is
already married is not valid, Take your pick. I’m just elaborating on it’s most common
interpretation.
Also, as a side point, as this story illustrates, just because someone is having sex with
someone does not make for a marriage contract. Again, covenant words of commitment
need to be spoken. Sex leads to children...
John the Baptist was thrown into prison and beheaded
for denouncing someone who married
a woman whose husband was still alive.
Mary tells Joseph she’s pregnant.
I guess this was something to hard for any man to believe
Many feel that Joseph made a marriage contract (not covenant) with Mary, which he
wanted to break,
because she was pregnant. (He was allowed to break it because there were no words
spoken, hence no covenant and it was not
consummated with blood)(something in the woman does break).
Now this does not
mean fornication
is a marriage covenant. Both the words (and deeds ?) are necessary for marriage. See
what
Jacob’s sons did to the man that violated their sister. They did not celebrate their
marriage. Also see that David’s son, when he violated his half sister, was not treated as
married to her. Also see how Saul promised his daughter Merab to David (1 Samuel
18:17-28) but it was never consummated, hence no marriage. (Also shows that some
kind of covenant ceremony is necessary for marriage too) (it was most always part of
every covenant, at least an exchange of promises of what the covenant was about as well
as a meal)
Fornication is Sin, not marriage. Words of contract / commitment need to be spoken at the inauguration of
any type of covenant. Also...
see Ruth’s marriage to Boaz. (She was married before, not a virgin. Did not have to “shed
blood” for covenant to take place) Also see Rahab the harlot’ s marriage, shes was not a
virgin either, yet marriage was legitimate (She’s in David’s lineage, Jesus too, testimony
of God’s grace and forgiveness) Again, its
the words that make the Covenant, not the act.
Now in reference to what Paul says on the subject.(illegitimate, emotional, soul ties, not
so much marriage ties, he doesn’t say marry the person. He just points out the soul ties)
and we might
bring Jacob and Leah into this too (Why he didn’t love her... didn’t want to marry her but
stayed with her, see Paul ) This is a very complicated unloving relationship and
it may have been what started the trend by Jacob’s sons that words need to be spoken for
a covenant to actually be in effect. (they were learning)(the progression of
Naturalrevelation). Jacob was victim to the marriage customs of
another land. (No words, just the deed, the act make a marriage)(See what Laban said
Gen 29:26 “it is not our practice in this place...” they had customs) Not God’s way.
Words of commitment need to be spoken.
Now in reference to Deut 22:25-29. If a man finds a woman who is engaged (marriage
contract, not covenant) and he forces her to lie with him (Rape) , he shall be put to death
( i.e. there was a pre existing contract that overrides any act, and the act itself was equal
to murder)
BUT
if this same man would do such a thing with someone who is not under
contract (i.e. no words have been written / spoken ) The man, because he violated her
(raped her) would be force to marry her because he did something that would pretty
much ruin her chances of finding someone to contract with her. (The elderly parents
would have no one to take care of their daughter once they passed on. Not good in a
society where the woman was pretty much expected not to work for a living. And the
inheritance laws the way they were. Also
remember that Jesus said that Moses’s society was very hard hearted. So they probably
frowned on the victim too. There really was not any choice but for the man to marry the
woman.)
and as a side point...A lot of this attitude carries on to today concerning a mans view of a
woman whose already been with a man. (unless the man is very christian) All things
being equal a man will most not likely chooses such a woman for marriage. Woman
should do their utmost to maintain their virginity. There is so much against them if they
don’t and fornication will effect their spirit, attitude and most likely carry over into their
marriage in some way. Men do think differently than woman. Women at well realized
this. She was protective and curt with her answer where as before she was very talkative.
Women should maintain there reputation...It’s better to be married as a virgin. Talk to
your youth pastor about some of the christian clubs that are out there today.
Anyway...
In the first example the
contract overrides the act. BIG POINT! (so much for divorced
marriages
?) In the second example the act (rape is not fornication by the way) was such a hideous
thing that, because of the times, and no Man was effected, (someone under
contract) the rapist was allowed to live but he had to live with his
crime. He had to make restitution and take care of the woman whose chances of
marriage he all but ruined. (Again, rape is not fornication. If a person fornicated they
were not to be married
but were to be put to death (see what Joshua did, spear through tent)
But the point of the matter here is that a contract
is necessary for a marriage to take place. The first example prove the point.
Words, need to be spoke. A contract, A covenant need to be spoken. The second example
only proves the point how highly a contact was valued. Even over the injustice done to a
unengaged woman. Since she was not under contract... well maybe I will get into this
later... But since she was not “equal” to the woman who was already
under contract. They (her and the one who did the deed) would be married, but it was a
matter of correcting and injustice, rather than the results of an act. Otherwise I believe
the rapist would have been put to death. A fine point to
argue, true, but remember, rape is not fornication. People who fornicated were to be put
to death. You don’t have sex without some kind of contract. Contracts make the
marriage.
Now in reference to the Hebrews giving back the wives who were not
under the covenant. They were allowed to marry captives under the laws of Moses.
What they did here...people not covenant to...(unqualified spouses)
(see Pauls view on not marrying an unbeliever. Also see Pauls view on staying with an
unbelieving spouse, if you are married to one, and not being bound if infact the spouse
leaves). , God’s not covenanted to the unbeliever but Paul, after the death of Jesus
(remember rightly divide the word of truth) sees an advantage - for the Gospel - in
staying in such a relationship. Jacob and Leah too.
Hosea and his unfaithful wife.
Hosea redeems an unfaithful wife from slavery. Yes, God did discip - ly divorce
Israel, (an extreme measure), but only to turn her over to her lovers until she learned
her lesson. (I have read of
a few people who have done this in hope that there spouse would turn around. I think
they feel that God would never bless an ungodly relationship, so in spite of what is seen
in on the surface, there is misery galore underneath). Please note that God’s covenant
with Israel was still valid even after He divorced her. It could not be broken unless one
party died. (i.e. Jesus on the cross).
“For she (Israel) said, “I will go after my lovers”...therefore, behold I (God) will hedge up
her way with thorns, and I will build a wall against her so she cannot find her paths. And
she will pursue her lovers, but she will not overtake them; and she will seek them, but
will not find...Then she will say, “I will go back to my first
husband, For it was better for me then than now”
Yes, God did divorce Israel (Jer3:8) God divorces for disicipline. Even though He
divorced Isreal the covenant was still valid!!! A lot of people forget that when they read that verse. God will still
buy her, or should I say redeemed her
from her
slavery - Again ! See also Pauls view
on the
subject. Even after they rejected Jesus God went to the gentiles for the ‘sole’ reason to
make Israel jealous. God is still after Physical Israel to win her over. Gods heart is, and
always has been set on Israel. Israel’ rejection of the Messiah, even
their unfaithfulness - both past and present - cannot cancel God’s covenant with them. It
cannot be revoked by disobedience!!! And this being so, what does
this say about a covenant between a man and his wife if one proves to be unfaithful? The
covenant is < still valid! We’re to
be like God, loving our enemies (‘sends rain on them’ - Jesus and Paul ) and praying for
those who use us. God is loyal to His covenant and He has a steadfast love toward those
whom He is covenanted to.. And BTW the New covenant was made with the house of
Israel. Gentiles have been grafted into it. And if God really did divorce divorce Israel
where did the 144,000 come from?
So it came about in the morning that, behold, it was Leah!
And Jacob said to Laban, What is this you have done to me?”
Jacob deceived into “marrying” Leah, but still remained in “marriage”.
Saw something?
Many Children of Blessing came from that marriage...Judah,... Sex may have been the
marriage contract BEFORE the fall, (blood shed), but it is certainly NOT the case
AFTER the fall. (see Balak and the children of Israel. )(rightly divide the word of truth)
Things have change since the fall. Intent needs to be brought out. “whats your intentions
with my daughter”. Promises need to be made. Man is corrupt...This is important in
understanding Paul’s view about a Christian with a harlot. They are not married but
something does indeed take place, and it needs to be broken. A oneness of emotional
ties.
This is what went on with Leah, Jacob stayed in it (It was a custom of the land), but
Israel after him DID NOT. and it could be from the observing of this kind of unloving
relationship (not loved, Leah first to meet Esau etc.) That made them have a marriage
contract, etc. up front.
In reference to the Christian with the Harlot...’inordinate affections’(KJV). Christian
emotional ties to sex partners outside marriage are wrong. They are SIN, inordinate
affections, out of order. They must be broken.. And they can be through cleansing of the
blood. Through washing. See Paul to Galations...wrestle to make virgins again. It can be
done. See acts for what they were...SIN. Not romance. If there people were so ‘special’,
were are they now?
Jesus and Judas
“And immediately (Judas) went to Jesus and said”Hail Rabbi” and kissed Him. and
Jesus said to him ”Friend”...
And He loved them till the end
Jesus loved His friends as well as his enemies. Even at the end of His days on earth He
called Judas “Friend.”
Jesus held no guile for anyone. And I think it would be fair to say the if Jesus was asked
to mediate between two warring couples Jesus would say to the parties...Hey, if you can’t
love your spouse
because he / she is your spouse, then at least love them because they are your brother /
sister. And if you cant love them because they are your brother / sister then at least love
them because they are your enemy.
This is an open source web-site. In
other words you can freely copy its pages and put them any server you wish. [If
you’re not sure what I’m talking about... just right click your mouse (if you have
Microsoft Windows) and
click on “View Source” and you will see the HTML code that underlies the particular
page you are viewing. If you ‘cut and paste’ what you see into a word processor you will
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server which
supports HTML (just about all of them). The pictures themselves can also be
copied by right clicking your mouse and using the “Save Picture As...” feature].
Thus you can have your own web site [Angelfire
(Lycos ) offers free web pages as well as many
other sites Click here
and ask around].
Periodically I will update the links on these pages. Below you will find the dates of the
‘last update’ of a particular page. If you wish you can use the below “updates” as a guide
to update your own pages or you can update your own at you own discretion.
Feel free to improve on any of the pages you copy.
Also, feel free to use this entire sites content (Music, Theology,
Divorce and Remarriage etc.) in any way you wish (for example: if you wish to publish a
page in whole or in part in another medium (let’s say in tract or book
form), you have my permission to do so (and you don’t have to inform me or put my
name on the work).
You can also sell the work at a profit if you wish, just having these works circulating in
the world is reward enough for me).
Again, this is an open source web site. The code (as well as content) is
free to all. Feel free to tinker, dabble and fiddle around with both code and
content. God is a very creative Spirit. Who knows what kind of page(s) you will develop.
Also, who knows what kind of influential tracts or books you may write. (If you want
you can change the sentence structures around and put this sites content in your own
words. Then put your name on the book or tract and shop it around to some
publishers. Most of this sites content is desperately in need of rewrite so putting your
name on a rewritten work is probably a good idea, actually a
very good idea).
May God bless you in your efforts.
P.S. If you copy these pages to a server make sure you place your
own e-mail address on the pages so people will know whom to write if they have any
questions (you can also leave my e-mail address on them if you wish (i.e.
StevenMRyan@cs.com), but as of now I don’t have the time to answer everyone’s
questions so I think your e-mail address would be a better idea).
