GOD’S WORD FOR APRIL 18
GOD’S WORD FOR APRIL 18 ~ ~Genesis 29:27 ~ ~ “Complete the week of this one, and we will give you the other also for the service which you shall serve with me, for another seven years.”
At this point in the betrothal ceremony which we have been connecting with salvation, after the official paper was drawn and recorded, the gifts between the families were negotiated.
First, there was the dowry, which the bride pays to the groom. In the Old Testament the bride’s price was negotiable, but it raised her status, and it set her free of her current household.
Just as we, when we choose Christ, and give Him our sins, and our weakness (which is all He asks for from us) , and we live for righteousness not for sin, as a wife lives for her husband and depends on him. We are free from our bondage to sin and the world, and we join our husband’s family, leaving our devotion to the useless things of this world.
Romans 6:18 ..”and after being freed from sin, you became slaves to righteousness.”
Galatians 4:3 “So we too, when we were children, were held in bondage under the elementary principles of the world.”
Romans 8:1 “Therefore there is now no condemnation at all for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
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The other gift in the Jewish betrothal is from the groom to the bride. This is called the Mohar.
The groom had up to seven years’ time to raise it;
In Genesis 29:20 we remember Jacob working seven years for each of Leah and Rachel.
“And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had for her.”
This is what Jesus devoted His entire earthly life to fulfilling. Actually, His entire life in eternity past was also consumed with His bride, the Chosen nation of Israel. The unity of the Godhead created everything in matter for His future bride. He was always consumed with love for His bride!!!!
His payment for all her sins, separation from the Father for the sake of true Justice, suffering beyond our comprehension…all for the
“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Jesus paid His Mohar for His Church and His Chosen Nation by His suffering and death on the cross to free us from our own sin forever.
“For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.”
His enjoined bride is “bought with a price” (as is the purpose of the official Mohar) which is why Paul said this:
“For you have been bought for a price: therefore glorify God in your body.”
The Jewish bride’s status changes,(new creation) even after the betrothal and before the marriage, just as ours does now, as soon as we’re saved, and before the actual marriage supper of the Lamb which we look forward to!
“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, this person is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”
The suspenseful part of the ceremony takes place on tomorrow’s writing.
Live in the Light of Our Lord 