December 8, 2022

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 serious commitment. It was to be permanent. The modern term “engagement” hardly compares because an engagement today can be broken without legal proceedings. During the days before Joseph understood the truth as to Mary’s pregnancy, even though they were betrothed and had not yet come together physically, a divorce was required in order to break the engagement. This is what is meant by put her away. Some translations read divorce her quietly. Joseph loved Mary and therefore did not wish to publicly humiliate her.

When I committed myself to the Lord, accepting His provision of forgiveness, I entered into a betrothal with Him! This “betrothal” is a walk with Him in the light of His counsel, His Word, as I prepare for the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9). As His bride-to-be, we are to encourage each other to continue on the path of light as we prepare for our Groom to come and get us!

A divorce cannot occur unless there has been 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, forsaking His law, falling away (2 Thessalonians 2:3). He woos and draws, but He never forces any individual or church to stay with 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