How does Deuteronomy 20:7 connect with Jesus' teachings on marriage and commitment? Deuteronomy 20:7—Marriage Placed Above Battle “Has any man become pledged to a woman and not yet married her? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in battle and another man marry her.” (Deuteronomy 20:7) What This Command Reveals about God’s Heart • Covenant first: before a man risks his life for the nation, God protects the covenant he is about to enter. • Permanence envisioned: the verse assumes the betrothal will indeed move to marriage—no thought of abandoning the promise. • Joy safeguarded: wedding celebration is so valued that even urgent national defense must not interrupt it (cf. Deuteronomy 24:5). Jesus Echoes and Deepens the Same Priority Matthew 19:4-6 (BSB, excerpt): “So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” • Origin: Jesus roots marriage in God’s creation design (Genesis 2:24). • Indissolubility: once joined, husband and wife form a union no human has authority to break. • Sacred trust: the language “God has joined” heightens the weight already implied in Deuteronomy 20:7. Parallels between Moses’ Instruction and Jesus’ Teaching • Protection vs. separation – Moses shields the not-yet-married couple from war’s dangers. – Jesus shields the married couple from human attempts to dissolve their union. • Priority over other duties – Wartime service yields to marriage in Deuteronomy. – Social, legal, even personal desires yield to the marriage bond in Jesus’ words (Mark 10:9). • Covenant language – Betrothal was already a binding promise in Israel; Moses treats it as weighty. – Jesus calls marriage a divine joining, lifting it beyond mere civil contract. New-Covenant Implications for Believers Today • Enter marriage thoughtfully, knowing God views even engagement as significant. • Guard the joy and sanctity of the union; schedule, work, and ministry must not erode commitment. • Husbands, love sacrificially (Ephesians 5:25-33); wives, share respectful partnership, reflecting Christ’s relationship with His church. • Recognize marriage as kingdom testimony: the faithfulness of spouses mirrors the faithfulness of Christ to His people. Key Takeaway From Moses to Jesus, Scripture consistently elevates marriage as a covenant God honors and protects. The command to release the betrothed from battle foreshadows Jesus’ call to cherish, preserve, and never lightly sever the one-flesh union. |
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