Wherever You Go, I Will Go!
- Posted on AugpmMon, 31 Aug 2015 14:32:58 -05002015-08-31T14:32:58-05:0002 17, 2016
- in Bible
- by Hallelujah Girl
After my divorce, I learned what a betrothal and a marriage really was. Marriage, as defined by Dictionary.com, is a legally religiously, or socially sanctioned union of persons who commit to one another, forming a familial and economic bond. Whew…I suppose that’s a good general definition. I like to believe that marriage, of course in the eyes of The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, is the forming of a new identity. Two becoming one, merging together in everything. Before this can happen there must be a betrothal! I’m not talking about some spectacular “pop the question” thing, nor am I talking about the engagement parties or showers. I am talking about what it takes to become totally one with your beloved. There must be a “leaving”, a “cleaving”, and “the forging of a new unified identity”. Then the one-ness is everlasting! Till death do us part!
The elements of the betrothal are nicely explained here:
Moshe went up to God, and Adonai called to him from the mountain: “Here is what you are to say to the household of Ya’akov (Jacob), to tell the people of Isra’el: ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now if you will pay careful attention to what I say and keep my covenant, then you will be my own treasure from among all the peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you will be a cohanim (Kingdom of Priests) for me, a nation set apart.’ These are the words you are to speak to the people of Isra’el.” Exodus 19:1-4
Here we see the element of “leaving” The children of Israel abandoning Egypt (bondage). Cutting ties with relationships, affections, affiliations, priorities, mindsets, attitudes, and the behavior patterns they had come to know. Starting with a blank slate! Anything that would lack agreement or be counter-productive with what God had in store was gone. His redeemed were ready to commit to a covenant! An everlasting covenant where they were promised blessings!
The element of “cleaving” involves the newly betrothed now to cleave to one another. In every area of their life! Passionately in thought, word, affection, honor, and behavior. All of these actions and ways are necessary to nurture, to develop, to strengthen the new covenant relationship!
The goal of the betrothal is to form a New Identity. To take two separate entities, over the course of time make them become more and more like one. To merge together! “and they shall become one flesh”-(as unto his wife) Genesis 2:24. “One flesh” in identity, appearance, personality, priority, purpose, mission, attitude, and destiny. This makes a marriage the way God intended.
“Don’t press me to leave you and stop following you; for wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God will be my God. Where you die, I will die; and there I will be buried. May Adonai bring terrible curses on me, and worse ones as well, if anything but death separates you and me” Ruth 1: 17-17
Another beautiful betrothal. “Love’s Resolve” to leave her life and obligations and to cleave to Naomi. She cleaves by learning about the laws of gleaning (an earlier form of welfare) and the Law of the Levirate (Levite) Marriage(Deuteronomy 25), and the law of Redemption (Leviticus 25). In order for Ruth to be joined to Naomi, Ruth had to learn the laws of Israel from a Jew. Gentiles learn the ways of God by understanding the Jewish Scriptures. In the threshing floor scene, no matter how much Boaz loved Ruth, he had to respond to her move. Boaz took it upon himself to be her advocate—he was her intercessor. So he confronts the nearer kinsman. Viola! Happily ever after! Two become one and fruit they will bear! From them come Our Messiah! In righteousness, grace, and compassion, Ruth forms a new identity.
Our Messiah says to The Father:
“Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am; so that they may see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. Righteous Father, the world has not known you, but I have known you and these people have known that you sent me. I made your name known to them, and I will continue to make it known; so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I myself may be united with them” John 17:24-26
Here’s the Ultimate Betrothal! Yeshua wants us to be with Him where He is! So we can see His Glory! If you are still reading then I am guessing you would like to play the bride. Me too! So we leave behind mindsets, doctrines, man’s way and cleave to The Father, to Torah! The “New Identity” formed here is in likeness to the Bridegroom. This is the face He will know—the one that bears His form.
The time for leaving idolatrous ways is now. Cleaving to Torah is of the utmost importance in days like these. Knowing The Father is an essential part of being united with The Son, Yeshua! Adonai tells Hosea–Three times (this means: pay attention! ), that “On That Day”—you know the one—
“I will betroth you to me forever; Yes I will betroth you to Me, in righteousness, in justice, in grace, and in compassion; I will betroth you to me in faithfulness and you will know Adonai” Hosea 2:19-20
What a relationship! What a love story! What a marriage! This is Life!
Tags: Adonai, betrothal, bride, cleave, Elul, engagement, God, Jesus, leave, marriage, ruth, unite, unity, Yeshua