Topical Bible: Marriage: Figurative

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In the Bible, marriage is often used as a powerful metaphor to illustrate the relationship between God and His people. This figurative use of marriage underscores themes of covenant, faithfulness, love, and unity. Throughout Scripture, the imagery of marriage serves to convey spiritual truths and divine intentions.

Old Testament Imagery

The Old Testament frequently employs the metaphor of marriage to describe the covenant relationship between God and Israel. In the prophetic literature, Israel is often portrayed as the bride of Yahweh. This imagery is vividly depicted in the book of Hosea, where the prophet's marriage to Gomer symbolizes God's enduring love and faithfulness despite Israel's unfaithfulness. Hosea 2:19-20 states, "And I will betroth you to Me forever; yes, I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in loving devotion and compassion. I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will know the LORD."

Similarly, in Isaiah 54:5 , the prophet declares, "For your husband is your Maker—the LORD of Hosts is His name. The Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; He is called the God of all the earth." Here, the metaphor of marriage emphasizes God's role as protector and redeemer, highlighting His commitment to His people.

New Testament Fulfillment

In the New Testament, the metaphor of marriage is further developed to describe the relationship between Christ and the Church. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, draws a parallel between the marital relationship and the union of Christ with His Church. Ephesians 5:25-27 instructs, "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to Himself as a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless."

This passage not only underscores the sacrificial love of Christ but also the sanctifying purpose of His relationship with the Church. The Church, as the bride of Christ, is called to purity and holiness, reflecting the transformative power of this divine union.

The Marriage Supper of the Lamb

The culmination of the marriage metaphor is found in the eschatological vision of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb in the book of Revelation. Revelation 19:7-9 proclaims, "Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him the glory. For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready. She was given clothing of fine linen, bright and pure." This imagery anticipates the ultimate union of Christ and His Church, celebrating the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan.

Conclusion

The figurative use of marriage in the Bible serves as a profound illustration of God's covenantal relationship with His people. It highlights themes of love, faithfulness, and redemption, offering believers a glimpse into the divine mystery of Christ's union with the Church. Through this metaphor, Scripture invites believers to understand their identity and calling within the context of a sacred and eternal relationship with their Creator.

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Isaiah 54:5
For your Maker is your husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and your Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.
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Isaiah 62:4,5
You shall no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall your land any more be termed Desolate: but you shall be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah: for the LORD delights in you, and your land shall be married.
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Jeremiah 3:14
Turn, O backsliding children, said the LORD; for I am married to you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:
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Jeremiah 31:32
Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they broke, although I was an husband to them, said the LORD:
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Hosea 1:2
The beginning of the word of the LORD by Hosea. And the LORD said to Hosea, Go, take to you a wife of prostitutions and children of prostitutions: for the land has committed great prostitution, departing from the LORD.
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Hosea 2:19,20
And I will betroth you to me for ever; yes, I will betroth you to me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in loving kindness, and in mercies.
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Ephesians 5:30-32
For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
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Revelation 19:7-9
Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife has made herself ready.
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Library

The Royal Marriage Feast.
... the story for the sake of its spiritual significance, is the marriage supper of ... group
in which the message sent was an invitation, not figurative but literal ...
/.../arnot/the parables of our lord/xii the royal marriage feast.htm

On Baptism.
... and the cry of loud-voiced heralds assembles them all: but the same Bridegroom
afterwards separates those who have come in to the figurative marriage. ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture iii on baptism.htm

Annunciation to Joseph of the Birth of Jesus.
... Joseph feared as a son of David that this marriage would sully his genealogy ... said
language is more perfectly suited.4. When parabolic or figurative language may ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/ix annunciation to joseph of.htm

Entire Sanctification in Prophecy.
... to the subject of holiness, though their language is often highly figurative. ... and
the language, therefore, points to an experience or a relation of marriage. ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter v entire sanctification in.htm

Two Ways of Despising God's Feast
... highest joy on earth; namely, by the name of a marriage feast.' How ... known and terrible]
weeping and gnashing of teeth"awful though figurative expressions for ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/two ways of despising gods.htm

The Section Chap. I. -iii.
... The basis, however, for this whole figurative representation is Genesis 2:24, where
marriage appears as the most intimate of all earthly relations of love, and ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the section chap i -iii.htm

On the Journey to Jerusalem - Departure from Ephraim by Way of ...
... had questioned Christ about His teaching on the Divinely sacred relationship of
marriage. ... addition of the words in public' ({hebrew}) marks its figurative use. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxii on the journey.htm

CHAPTER III.
... neighbouring nations an object of their worship; whilst a marriage connection would ...
considered as an appendix, in which, without any figurative covering, the ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chapter iii.htm

Faustus Rejects the Old Testament Because it Leaves no Room for ...
... the Song of Songs, and in the parable of a householder making a marriage for his ...
one is to follow him, makes use of a style free from all figurative expressions ...
/.../faustus rejects the old testament.htm

Clement of Alexandria.
... Apostles, how chosen, 514, 532. marriage of, 541, 543. ... Fear of God, necessary,
354. Figurative teaching of Scripture and philosophy, 450. ...
/.../clement/who is the rich man that shall be saved/clement of alexandria.htm