Dictionary of Bible Themes: 5712 marriage, between God and his people

5712 marriage, between God and his people

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5650 Human relationships » 5708 marriage » 5712 marriage, between God and his people

Marriage is used to describe the relationship between God and Israel in the OT and between Jesus Christ and the church in the NT. Contemplating marriage deepens understanding of God's love for his people; examining God's covenant love for his people similarly enriches an understanding of marriage.

God's marriage relationship with Israel

God's marriage covenant with Israel

Ezekiel 16:8-14 The covenant at Sinai was seen as a form of marriage. See also Jeremiah 31:32; Ezekiel 16:59-60

God as Israel's husband

Isaiah 54:5 See also Hosea 2:7; Joel 1:8

Israel's early devotion

Jeremiah 2:2 See also Ezekiel 16:43; Hosea 2:15

The breakdown of God's marriage to Israel

Israel's adultery

Jeremiah 3:20 See also Jeremiah 2:32; Ezekiel 16:32-34; Hosea 1:2; Hosea 9:1

Israel's alienation from God is likened to a divorce

Hosea 2:2 Israel's unfaithfulness led to a form of divorce between God and his people. This was sometimes identified with the exile. See also Isaiah 50:1; Jeremiah 3:6-10

The renewal of God's marriage to Israel

God calls his bride to return

Jeremiah 3:12-14; Hosea 3:1-3 See also Isaiah 54:6-8; Hosea 2:14

The renewed relationship

Isaiah 62:4-5 See also Jeremiah 31:31-33; Ezekiel 16:62; Hosea 2:16,19-20

Jesus Christ's marriage relationship with the church

Jesus Christ's love as a model for marriage

Ephesians 5:25-33

Jesus Christ is described as a bridegroom

John 3:29 John the Baptist describes Jesus Christ as the bridegroom and himself as the best man. See also Matthew 9:15 pp Mark 2:19-20 pp Luke 5:34-35; Matthew 22:2; Matthew 25:1-13

The church as Christ's bride

2 Corinthians 11:2; Revelation 19:7-9 See also Revelation 21:2,9-10; Revelation 22:17