A SERIOUS COMMANDMENT

Thou shalt not commit adultery.

This is a commandment that many in our nation have taken casually, overlooked and ignored.  It always amazes me how we tend to pick and choose commandments.  They all hold equal weight.  All of us continue to be guilty of all of them in so many different ways.  

Each commandment carries its own weight on the scales of God; and each is equally important in determining our lifestyle as followers of Christ. 

If you missed the lesson we previously taught in our Ten Commandment Series which was specifically about this particular commandment and subject – you can find and review it here:  ___https://theinseasonlifestyle.com/unlawful-sex-and-how-god-feels/______.  God has a LOT to say about this subject.

INTRODUCTION

Today; as we continue in the COME AS A CHILD, every-Thursday Bible Study, we will begin to study the passages from Numbers, Chapter Five.  These scriptures will allow us to look even further into the subject of adultery and how God feels about it.

THERE ARE CONSEQUENCES FOR DISOBEDIENCE

Like all of the other commandments God gave to us; disobedience in the form of adultery carries consequences. 

God doesn’t waste His breath. 

He never changes. 

God says what He means and He means what He says. 

What God said when Moses was leading the people through the wilderness still applies as much in today’s world as it applied to the ancient camp of Israel.  None of us are exceptions.

Now though; we ARE looking back from this more hopeful side of the cross; a side that has granted us grace and time to confess our sins before God and be forgiven and covered in the atoning blood of Christ; no matter which  commandments we have broken. 

We will delve further into this aspect of forgiveness as we continue to  explore the fact that forgiveness requires repentance, confession and turning as well as restitution.

All of God’s children come to realize this; sooner or later.

ADDRESSING THE SUSPICION OF ADULTERY

In those days of Israel’s wilderness journey, God had a special way of addressing this problem called adultery.  Today we will look at how this situation was handled in this particular time which was covered in the scriptures recorded in the Book of Numbers; Chapter Five.

In the meantime; I hope you read last week’s lesson first.  That lesson was setting the backdrop for this new lesson that may continue into some further and deeper studies on this subject. 

If you wish to review last week’s lesson; you can find it here: GOD IS SETTING UP A TEST IN THE WILDERNESS – COME AS A CHILD – LESSON 257.

STRANGE AND UNUSUAL RITUALS

That old book of Numbers was simply painting a story that we all needed to see in order to  know and follow the route that is necessary for all of us today to come closer to God.

This will slowly become apparent as we progress.

Yet; at first glance, some of these passages describing the ancient rituals that Israel used seem really strange and quite ridiculous. 

Much of today’s society and religious interpreters have misinterpreted the whole concept of testing an adulterer for guilt or innocence; and they have even put twists and turns on these passages that were never intended; twists which are totally inadequate and misleading.

IF YOU SUSPECT YOUR WIFE HAS BEEN UNFAITHFUL

For instance; we come to a passage in Chapter Five that gives us a test for an unfaithful wife.

The first time I read it; my mouth dropped open in disbelief.

Would my loving Father in Heaven REALLY subject women to such humiliation as this?

I was appalled.

TRUSTING THE CHESED LOVE OF GOD

But; being my Father’s child and KNOWING His attributes for chesed love; I prayed about my feelings and continued studying these scriptures; seeking more answers and clarification than the people of the world were offering. 

I truly wanted to hear what God had to say on the subject. 

DOUBTS TURNED INTO GOLD NUGGETS 

After a long time of seeking God’s face in this issue; I saw some rather remarkable things concerning the future of the Church and The Bride of Christ. 

It wasn’t revealed easily, and it took time and layers upon layers of information to dig out the truth of the matter; but I think I accidentally stumbled upon a golden nugget of scripture when I read Numbers; Chapter Five and came to the passage that speaks of the test for a wife suspected of adultery.

Of course; we all know that with God there are no accidents or coincidences.  

The more I looked at this; the more God showed me.

A HIDDEN KEY TO UNDERSTANDING 

This one little unique passage is a huge key to understanding God’s plan for mankind and a perfect prophetic passage that points to God’s Kingdom in the future.

It takes a little while for the eyes to open here; but stay with me.

This is VERY layered and we will dwell on the multiple meanings on many different levels, probably in many more lessons than this first one.

THE BASIC INSTRUCTION TO DEAL WITH JEALOUSY

Right now; let’s begin by determining the instructions that God gave to Moses for settling such things.

When a husband became jealous and thought his wife had been unfaithful this is what he would be instructed to do.

Many think, at first, that this  ritual (FROM GOD; NOT MOSES) shows favor to the man and does not properly consider the feelings of the woman.

Not true though.

CLARIFICATION OF THE BASIC PURPOSE OF THE RITUAL

In those days men DID have so much power over the affairs of the woman that God needed to give this rule in order that a woman could come clean and defend herself when she was  NOT guilty.

In the long run; it actually PROTECTED THE INNOCENT.

The word of the man could not stand if the woman was proven innocent through the ritual.  It was a life-saving ritual that protected a woman from man’s judgement and allowed only God to judge her.

COUNTERING OVER-STRICT HUMAN LAWS THAT WERE OFTEN FATAL

In those days before grace and mercy came down and died for us; there were horrid laws implemented by men that said an unfaithful woman must be stoned to death.  

These new instructions from God were being given to Israel as a means of defense for the innocent women being accused by a jealous and unreasonable husband, who was without a witness or proof.

Due to the shameful nature of the acquisition, the ritual used wasn’t done in the public square like most laws that were strictly enforced; but it was done quietly in the privacy of the council of the priest at the tabernacle.

Guilt was always very hard to determine because most such sins have absolutely no witnesses.

Real proof from the other half of the party (if adultery had happened) would not usually come forth because ALL guilty parties were then declared equally guilty and punished accordingly and severely. 

The penalty for adultery was death by stoning; both for men AND women.

IT COULD HAPPEN TO ANYONE…..

No pun intended; but I could not read this passage without remembering Joseph’s reaction when he first heard that Mary was with child. 

How was he to know (before the angel came to him to explain) that Mary had not broken their marriage covenant and disavowed their marriage even before it became final? 

Remember how he spoke of “putting her away quietly?”

When you come to know of this ancient ritual of Israel; you can understand more clearly what he meant by that statement. 

He was thinking of the test a woman could take to let God (instead of men) judge whether or not she was innocent or guilty. 

If you are not familiar with this; you might want to go back and read the passage of scriptures from Matthew 1:19.  It will open your eyes a bit to what Joseph was thinking about how to handle the situation before the angel of God came to him in a dream.  

Fortunately; God is always right on time and He never misses a chance to provide what His children need just when they need it.

A MATTER OF TRUST FOR THE INNOCENT WOMAN

However; the innocent woman needed to be courageous enough and trust God enough to go through with the instructions before she could be proven innocent.

Again; can you imagine the thoughts that would have gone through the young and innocent mind of Mary when deliberating that she could find herself faced with just such a situation?  This makes her amazing faith even more powerful to us.  

ELIMINATING UNNECESSARY SHAME FOR THE INNOCENT PARTY 

We immediately see, even just looking on the surface, that this instruction deals with the most intimate of human relationships and sins which are usually kept secret and not ever intentionally brought out into the public eye.

Handled properly this procedure could eliminate much shame and embarrassment for both parties.

To maintain the purity of the camp; adultery had to be dealt with. This ceremony was used to determine guilt or innocence in such a case.

WHAT THE WOMAN FACED TO PROVE HER INNOCENCE

The basic procedure went like this:

The woman is brought before the priest who sets her before the LORD. It is made clear that all parties here must accept what happens in the end as God’s will and not a judgment from the priest or the husband based on the fact that no witnesses are available and the fact that God knows and sees everything.

THE JEALOUSY OFFERING

The suspecting husband must bring an offering for his wife to give to the priest.

The offering should be a tenth part of an ephah of barley meal with no oil or frankincense added.

The omer is an Egyptian measuring basket that holds about three quarts of grain (a tenth part of an ephah.)   Usually that container for measuring was made from the twigs of small, local palm trees.

A very small portion of this barley flour would be offered upon the altar to burn and the rest would be set upon the altar.

It was to be an offering of jealousy.

HOLY WATER AND DUST MIXED TOGETHER 

There before the brazen altar the priest would take holy water from the laver and mix some dust into it.  The dust had to come from the floor of the tabernacle.

These are mixed together into an earthen vessel (probably a clay pot) and then the woman is put in front of the LORD by the priest with her offering in her hand and her head being totally revealed and uncovered.

The woman standing before God has nothing to hide behind.  Her veil is removed and she stands unadorned of any covering.  

The priest takes up the water that the dust from the tabernacle floor was added into.  On a parchment scroll, in ink, he then writes out her accusations.  

He then takes that scroll and dips it into the water and dust mixture; which then absorbs the ink of all of the words on the scroll.  The words become a part of the mix.  

With the words of the scroll mixed into the water and dust; the priest takes the jealousy offering and hands it to the woman to hold; then he takes it from her hands and waves it before the LORD for an offering.  After the wave; the sacrifice is offered upon the altar. A small portion is burned in the fire and the rest is set upon the altar.

At this point, the priest then gives the woman a spoken oath which says:

“If you are not guilty of the sin of adultery; be free from this bitter water which causes the curse. But if you are guilty of adultery and have been defiled and made unclean may the LORD make you a curse unto your people as he makes your thigh rot and your belly swell.”

Some biblical translations have misinterpreted this to mean “miscarraige”  or “abortion” but that is not accurate.  There is no mention whatsoever of the woman being pregnant; and the test is held simply because her husband is jealous.  Pregnancy could have been possible in SOME cases, all the same; there is NO language implications here concerning abortion or miscarriage.  

Then the woman is to say “amen; may it be as you have wished” (AGAIN – consider the famous words of Mary in her fiat when she says  “Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word”  (Luke 1:38.)  

Then the woman is to drink down the bitter waters.

If she decides to confess guilt before drinking; then she is taken out and punished accordingly.

If she does not confess but does not drink; she is then forced to drink the mix by the priest.

GUILTY OR INNOCENT?

What follows next determines her guilt or her innocence.

If she becomes sick from the bitter water she is cast out as unclean.

On the other hand; if she has no reaction to the bitter water she is declared innocent, goes back to live with her husband and hopefully bears children for the family name in the future.

THIS RITUAL WAS CHANGED DURING THE TIME THAT JESUS WALKED THE EARTH

This was the practice of Israel for many years.  

I find it amazing and interesting to know that the ritual ceased to be used during the time-period that Jesus walked the earth.  

Let’s pause here right now and come back after more study and prayer in order to understand the symbolic meanings that are layered behind all of this.

MANY LAYERED MEANINGS 

The meanings of this astounding passage are many and layered.  

It will take many lessons to cover all of this amazing subject.

RECOGNITION OF THE SACREDNESS OF MARRIAGE

One quick first thing that comes to mind is the fact that God created men and women and commanded them to be fruitful and multiply.  

God created marriage between one man and one woman.  

For Christian people following the ways of God; the sacrament of holy marriage between a man and a woman is often seen as a symbolic shadow of God and the Church.

As another quick and second analogy; Jesus Christ stands next to The Father as the heavenly Bridegroom and all those who follow Him are known as His Bride.

We will discuss this in more detail later.

FAITHFULNESS IS VITAL

Our God will not tolerate unfaithfulness.

2 Corinthians 11:2 says “For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.”

DISCERNING THE HIDDEN TEACHINGS

As well as being an example of how God should be the judge between a man and a woman and that they should trust Him with settling their affairs instead of arguing and falsely accusing one another; this passage teaches us many other things by the deep, hidden symbolic meanings that it contains.  

There is so much gold in this one tiny, little obscure passage; but; most of us have never paid attention to it or even considered the meanings.

We will consider all of these amazing things one at a time; as the Old Testament is constantly revealing the New Testament over and over again.  

Here again we can see that the past is painting a vivid and descriptive painting of the future of The Kingdom of God.  It is full of astonishing details.

Let’s just continue to look into the passage from the lens of all the many different ages with all of their many different stories, and see this from the perspective of several different sets of glasses.

Next week we will consider this passage from the perspective of the story of The Golden Calf.  

After that; we want to look into a few other stories that tie right in with this teaching and what God is trying to tell His Church.