December 11: BETROTHAL

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. Matthew 1:18-19

The circumstances surrounding Jesus’ birth contain many reminders from the Scriptures as to the nature of our relationship with God. A betrothal was a very serious commitment. The modern term “engagement” hardly compares, as an engagement today can be broken in an instant without legal proceedings.

During the time before Joseph understood the truth about Mary’s pregnancy, he was hurt. It certainly seemed that Mary had violated the sacred trust. The legal proceedings of divorce would be required to put her away, meaning end the engagement. Some translations read divorce her quietly. Although he was very hurt, Joseph loved Mary and did not wish to publicly humiliate her. He was a just man.

When I committed myself to the Lord, accepting His merciful and very costly provision of forgiveness, I entered into a betrothal with Him! This “betrothal” is a lifelong walk with Him in the light of His counsel, His whole counsel. This period of betrothal is preparation for the great wedding celebration to come (see Revelation 19:7-9). In preparation for the marriage supper of the Lamb, I must spend time with Him in His love letter to me, allowing the Holy Spirit to cleanse and reshape me according to that Word. We are meant to encourage each other to stay on the path of light as we prepare for our Groom’s arrival!

A divorce implies a prior favorable relationship. The Greek word apostasia (from which we get our word apostasy) means divorce, departure, defection, or falling away. In the ancient Near Eastern culture, only the man could issue a certificate of divorce. But with God, who hates divorce (Malachi 2:16), it is the woman (the symbol for church) who divorces Him by departing from His Word (Isaiah 4:1), forsaking His law (Proverbs 3:1), and falling away (2 Thessalonians 2:3). He woos and draws, but He never forces any individual or church to stay with Him. He will sanctify and cleanse throughout the betrothal as long as she does not leave Him.

For you were once in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:8,25-27