THE LORD’S BRIDE:THE LORD’S BRIDE:

ISRAELISRAEL

HABIRUHABIRUAbraham called Gen 12Abraham called Gen 12

Gen 12:1Gen 12:1 The LORD said to Abram: Leave your The LORD said to Abram: Leave your country, your family, and your relatives and go to country, your family, and your relatives and go to the land that I will show you. the land that I will show you.

Gen 12:2 I will bless you and make your Gen 12:2 I will bless you and make your descendants into a great nation. You will descendants into a great nation. You will become famous and be a blessing to others. become famous and be a blessing to others.

Gen 12:3 I will bless anyone who blesses you, Gen 12:3 I will bless anyone who blesses you, but I will put a curse on anyone who puts a curse but I will put a curse on anyone who puts a curse on you. Everyone on earth will be blessed on you. Everyone on earth will be blessed because of you. because of you. Phys. Descr. Of LandPhys. Descr. Of Land

Cov’tCov’t

COVENANTCOVENANT

Gen 17:8 And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after Gen 17:8 And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God. God. Gen 17:9 And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep Gen 17:9 And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations. their generations. Gen 17:10 This Gen 17:10 This isis my covenant, which ye shall keep, my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised. child among you shall be circumcised. Gen 17:11 And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your Gen 17:11 And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you. me and you. bridebride

EZE 16 1-9EZE 16 1-9

Describes Israel’s beginnings in parabolic Describes Israel’s beginnings in parabolic form.form.

God : brought them out of EgyptGod : brought them out of Egypt– Led them and fed them through the wildernessLed them and fed them through the wilderness– gave them a landgave them a land– Chased out their enemiesChased out their enemies

BETROTHEDBETROTHED

““When I passed by you again and looked When I passed by you again and looked on you, behold you were at the age for on you, behold you were at the age for love; and I spread my skirt over you and love; and I spread my skirt over you and covered your nakedness: yea, I plighted covered your nakedness: yea, I plighted my troth to you and entered into a my troth to you and entered into a covenant with you, says the Lord God, and covenant with you, says the Lord God, and you became mine.” EZE.16:8 (RSV)you became mine.” EZE.16:8 (RSV)beautybeauty

Eze 16:10 I gave you the finest clothes and the Eze 16:10 I gave you the finest clothes and the most expensive robes, as well as sandals made most expensive robes, as well as sandals made from the best leather. from the best leather. Eze 16:11 I gave you bracelets, a necklace, Eze 16:11 I gave you bracelets, a necklace, Eze 16:12 a ring for your nose, some earrings, Eze 16:12 a ring for your nose, some earrings, and a beautiful crown. and a beautiful crown. Eze 16:13 Your jewelry was gold and silver, and Eze 16:13 Your jewelry was gold and silver, and your clothes were made of only the finest your clothes were made of only the finest material and embroidered linen. Your bread was material and embroidered linen. Your bread was baked from fine flour, and you ate honey and baked from fine flour, and you ate honey and olive oil. You were as beautiful as a queen, olive oil. You were as beautiful as a queen, Eze 16:14 and everyone on earth knew it. I, the Eze 16:14 and everyone on earth knew it. I, the LORD God, had helped you become a lovely LORD God, had helped you become a lovely young woman. young woman. God wanted a brideGod wanted a bride

God Wanted a BrideGod Wanted a Bride

Not forced labourNot forced labour

Labour of loveLabour of love

Suitable mate (EVE)Suitable mate (EVE)

EmotionsEmotions

Anger / pleasureAnger / pleasure

Grieving / joyGrieving / joy

Compassion / detachmentCompassion / detachment

Jealousy, Hurt / loved, valuedJealousy, Hurt / loved, valuedThe good timesThe good times

The Good TimesThe Good Times

Jer 2:2 …When you were my young bride, Jer 2:2 …When you were my young bride, you loved me and followed me through the you loved me and followed me through the barren desert. barren desert.

Jer 2:3 You belonged to me alone, like Jer 2:3 You belonged to me alone, like the first part of the harvest, and I severely the first part of the harvest, and I severely punished those who mistreated you.punished those who mistreated you.

What went wrong?What went wrong?

WHAT WENT WRONG?WHAT WENT WRONG?

In word picture:In word picture:

Eze 16:15 You learned that you were Eze 16:15 You learned that you were attractive enough to have any man you attractive enough to have any man you wanted, so you offered yourself to every wanted, so you offered yourself to every passerby. passerby. Blessings misusedBlessings misused

God’s blessings misusedGod’s blessings misused

Garments into shrinesGarments into shrines

Jewels of gold and silver into images for Jewels of gold and silver into images for harlotryharlotry

Oil and incense offered to idolsOil and incense offered to idols

Food – fine flour and oil offered to idolsFood – fine flour and oil offered to idols

Sons and daughters “whom you had born Sons and daughters “whom you had born to me” – sacrificed to idolsto me” – sacrificed to idolsIsrael in richesIsrael in riches

Israel in RichesIsrael in Riches

Solomon’s era: Solomon’s era: Silver and gold in the streets as stonesSilver and gold in the streets as stones

Cedar trees like sycamores of the valley for Cedar trees like sycamores of the valley for numbernumber

International trade: horses, chariots, ivory, apes, International trade: horses, chariots, ivory, apes, peacockspeacocks

Peace from their enemiesPeace from their enemies

Carried awayCarried away

Getting carried awayGetting carried away

Involvement with the nations aroundInvolvement with the nations around

Marriage with nations aroundMarriage with nations around

Mixing in their religious ritesMixing in their religious rites

All this a Word picture but refers directly to the goings on of idol worshipAll this a Word picture but refers directly to the goings on of idol worship

Our outward appearances tell what’s important to usOur outward appearances tell what’s important to us

Signs of the inward personSigns of the inward person

Isa 3:16Isa 3:16 The LORD says: The women of The LORD says: The women of Jerusalem are proud and strut around, Jerusalem are proud and strut around, winking shamelessly. They wear anklets winking shamelessly. They wear anklets that jingle and call attention to the way that jingle and call attention to the way they walkthey walk

God’s viewGod’s view

Isa 3:17 But I, the LORD, will cover their heads with Isa 3:17 But I, the LORD, will cover their heads with sores, and I will uncover their private parts. sores, and I will uncover their private parts. Isa 3:18 When that day comes, I will take away from Isa 3:18 When that day comes, I will take away from those women all the fine jewelry they wear on their those women all the fine jewelry they wear on their ankles, heads, necks, ears, arms, noses, fingers, and on ankles, heads, necks, ears, arms, noses, fingers, and on their clothes. I will remove their veils, their belts, their their clothes. I will remove their veils, their belts, their perfume, their magic charms, their royal robes, and all perfume, their magic charms, their royal robes, and all their fancy dresses, hats, and purses. their fancy dresses, hats, and purses.

Isa 3:24 In place of perfume, there will be a stink; in Isa 3:24 In place of perfume, there will be a stink; in place of belts, there will be ropes; in place of fancy place of belts, there will be ropes; in place of fancy hairdos, they will have bald heads. Instead of expensive hairdos, they will have bald heads. Instead of expensive clothes, they will wear sackcloth; instead of beauty, they clothes, they will wear sackcloth; instead of beauty, they will have ugly scars. will have ugly scars. Isa 3:25 The fighting men of Jerusalem will be killed in Isa 3:25 The fighting men of Jerusalem will be killed in battle. battle. Isa 3:26 The city will mourn and sit in the dirt, emptied of Isa 3:26 The city will mourn and sit in the dirt, emptied of its people. its people. trappingstrappings

Trappings of Modern LifeTrappings of Modern Life

Draw attention to selfDraw attention to self

Idolatry?Idolatry?

Creature rather than creator?Creature rather than creator?

Desires?Desires?

Maybe God will give them to us!Maybe God will give them to us!Distract us from GodDistract us from God

Replace himReplace him

Threaten our relationship with himThreaten our relationship with him

Become trusted in God’s placeBecome trusted in God’s place

Snare- headgateSnare- headgate

SnaresSnares

Trapped by our own momentumTrapped by our own momentum– Found that perfect jobFound that perfect job– Found that beautiful houseFound that beautiful house– Found that macho truckFound that macho truck– Found that charming guyFound that charming guy– That attractive girlThat attractive girl– LIFE IS GOODLIFE IS GOOD

MOMENTUMMOMENTUM

Lets see what they do when the whole story plays outLets see what they do when the whole story plays out

Different to Israel?Different to Israel?

God’s Adulterous BrideGod’s Adulterous Bride

Eze 16:28Eze 16:28 Thou hast played the whore Thou hast played the whore also with the Assyrians, because thou also with the Assyrians, because thou wast unsatiable; yea, thou hast played the wast unsatiable; yea, thou hast played the harlot with them, and yet couldest not be harlot with them, and yet couldest not be satisfied. satisfied. Eze 16:29 Thou hast moreover multiplied Eze 16:29 Thou hast moreover multiplied thy fornication in the land of Canaan unto thy fornication in the land of Canaan unto Chaldea; and yet thou wast not satisfied Chaldea; and yet thou wast not satisfied herewith. herewith.

Poetic JusticePoetic JusticeEze 16:37 Behold, therefore I will gather all thy Eze 16:37 Behold, therefore I will gather all thy lovers, with whom thou hast taken pleasure, and lovers, with whom thou hast taken pleasure, and all all themthem that thou hast loved, with all that thou hast loved, with all themthem that that thou hast hated; I will even gather them round thou hast hated; I will even gather them round about against thee, and will discover thy about against thee, and will discover thy nakedness unto them, that they may see all thy nakedness unto them, that they may see all thy nakedness. nakedness.

Eze 16:38 And I will judge thee, as women that Eze 16:38 And I will judge thee, as women that break wedlock and shed blood are judged; and I break wedlock and shed blood are judged; and I will give thee blood in fury and jealousy.will give thee blood in fury and jealousy.

AholahAholah

Times of the kingsTimes of the kings

BAAL said to be God of FertilityBAAL said to be God of Fertility– Crops Crops – CattleCattle– FoodFood

– Let Baal Provide them then- famine, deathLet Baal Provide them then- famine, death– Elijah’s contestElijah’s contest

EZE 23EZE 23

Aholah /AholibahAholah /AholibahSister brides = Israel and JudahSister brides = Israel and Judah

UnfaithfulUnfaithful

Similar story: Egyptians, Assyrians, ChaldeansSimilar story: Egyptians, Assyrians, Chaldeans

See Ez 16:24 See Ez 16:24

Vaulted chambersVaulted chambers

VAULTED CHAMBERSVAULTED CHAMBERS

Eze 16:25 Thou hast built thy high place Eze 16:25 Thou hast built thy high place (Vaulted Chamber – RSV) at every head (Vaulted Chamber – RSV) at every head of the way, and hast made thy beauty to of the way, and hast made thy beauty to be abhorred, and hast opened thy feet to be abhorred, and hast opened thy feet to every one that passed by, and multiplied every one that passed by, and multiplied thy whoredoms. thy whoredoms.

The NamesThe NamesAHOLA AHOLIBAHAHOLA AHOLIBAH

ROOT: OHEL- tentROOT: OHEL- tent

AHOLA = Samaria (Israel) “HER TENT” AHOLA = Samaria (Israel) “HER TENT” (Idolatrous sanctuary)(Idolatrous sanctuary)

AHOLIBAH = Jerusalem (Judah) “My tent AHOLIBAH = Jerusalem (Judah) “My tent is in her”!is in her”!

What tent?What tent?

AHOLIABAHOLIAB

The tabernacleThe tabernacle

Temple in JerusalemTemple in Jerusalem

Esau’s WifeEsau’s Wife

Aholibamah = Tent Of HeightAholibamah = Tent Of Height– High places?High places?– Grief of mind to Isaac and RebekahGrief of mind to Isaac and Rebekah

– DivorceDivorce

Jer 3:1Jer 3:1 They say, If a man put away his wife, They say, If a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another and she go from him, and become another man's, shall he return unto her again? shall not man's, shall he return unto her again? shall not that land be greatly polluted? but thou hast that land be greatly polluted? but thou hast played the harlot with many lovers; yet return played the harlot with many lovers; yet return again to me, saith the LORD. again to me, saith the LORD. Jer 3:2 Lift up thine eyes unto the high places, Jer 3:2 Lift up thine eyes unto the high places, and see where thou hast not been lien with. In and see where thou hast not been lien with. In the ways hast thou sat for them, as the Arabian the ways hast thou sat for them, as the Arabian in the wilderness; and thou hast polluted the in the wilderness; and thou hast polluted the land with thy whoredoms and with thy land with thy whoredoms and with thy wickedness. wickedness. Jer 3:3 Therefore the showers have been Jer 3:3 Therefore the showers have been withholden, and there hath been no latter rain; withholden, and there hath been no latter rain; and thou hadst a whore's forehead, thou and thou hadst a whore's forehead, thou refusedst to be ashamed. refusedst to be ashamed. The end of Israel?The end of Israel?

The END OF Israel?The END OF Israel?

Hosea CH 1Hosea CH 1– Hosea to marry a harlotHosea to marry a harlot– 3 Children:3 Children:

Son “Jezreel” – forecast of punishment on house Son “Jezreel” – forecast of punishment on house of Jehuof Jehu

Daughter “Not Pitied”Daughter “Not Pitied”

Son “Not My People”Son “Not My People”

Desired resultDesired result

Hos 2:6 I, the LORD, will build a fence of Hos 2:6 I, the LORD, will build a fence of thorns to block her path. thorns to block her path.

Hos 2:7 She will run after her lovers, but Hos 2:7 She will run after her lovers, but not catch them; she will search, but not not catch them; she will search, but not find them. Then she will say, "I'll return to find them. Then she will say, "I'll return to my first husband. Life was better then." my first husband. Life was better then."

Hos 2:16Hos 2:16 I promise that from that day on, you I promise that from that day on, you will call me your husband instead of your master. will call me your husband instead of your master. Hos 2:19 I will accept you as my wife forever, Hos 2:19 I will accept you as my wife forever, and instead of a bride price I will give you and instead of a bride price I will give you justice, fairness, love, kindness, and faithfulnessjustice, fairness, love, kindness, and faithfulnessHos 2:20. Then you will truly know who I am. Hos 2:20. Then you will truly know who I am. Hos 2:21 I will command the sky to send rain on Hos 2:21 I will command the sky to send rain on the earth, the earth, Hos 2:22 and it will produce grain, grapes, and Hos 2:22 and it will produce grain, grapes, and olives in Jezreel Valley. olives in Jezreel Valley. Now IsaiahNow Isaiah

RESTORATIONRESTORATION

Isa 62:1Isa 62:1 Jerusalem, I will speak up for your good. I will Jerusalem, I will speak up for your good. I will never be silent till you are safe and secure, sparkling like never be silent till you are safe and secure, sparkling like a flame. a flame. Isa 62:2 Your great victory will be seen by every nation Isa 62:2 Your great victory will be seen by every nation and king; the LORD will even give you a new name. and king; the LORD will even give you a new name. Isa 62:3 You will be a glorious crown, a royal headband, Isa 62:3 You will be a glorious crown, a royal headband, for the LORD your God. for the LORD your God. Isa 62:4 Your name will no longer be "Deserted and Isa 62:4 Your name will no longer be "Deserted and Childless," but "Happily Married." You will please the Childless," but "Happily Married." You will please the LORD; your country will be his bride. LORD; your country will be his bride. Isa 62:5 Your people will take the land, just as a young Isa 62:5 Your people will take the land, just as a young man takes a bride. The LORD will be pleased because of man takes a bride. The LORD will be pleased because of you, just as a husband is pleased with his bride. you, just as a husband is pleased with his bride.

Hos 2:19 I will accept you as my wife Hos 2:19 I will accept you as my wife forever, and instead of a bride price I will forever, and instead of a bride price I will give you justice, fairness, love, kindness, give you justice, fairness, love, kindness, Hos 2:20 and faithfulness. Then you will Hos 2:20 and faithfulness. Then you will truly know who I am. truly know who I am. Hos 2:21 I will command the sky to send Hos 2:21 I will command the sky to send rain on the earth, rain on the earth, Hos 2:22 and it will produce grain, grapes, Hos 2:22 and it will produce grain, grapes, and olives in Jezreel Valley. and olives in Jezreel Valley.

THE GENTILE BELIEVERTHE GENTILE BELIEVERPaul’s word picture: Ro. 11Paul’s word picture: Ro. 11Rom 11:1Rom 11:1 Am Am I saying that God has turned his back on I saying that God has turned his back on his people? Certainly not! I am one of the his people? Certainly not! I am one of the people of Israel, and I myself am a people of Israel, and I myself am a descendant of Abraham from the tribe of descendant of Abraham from the tribe of Benjamin. Benjamin.

Rom 11:2 God did not turn his back on his Rom 11:2 God did not turn his back on his chosen peoplechosen people

God’s motiveGod’s motive

Rom 11:11 Do I mean that the people of Rom 11:11 Do I mean that the people of Israel fell, never to get up again? Certainly Israel fell, never to get up again? Certainly not! Their failure made it possible for the not! Their failure made it possible for the Gentiles to be saved, and this will make Gentiles to be saved, and this will make the people of Israel jealous. the people of Israel jealous.

IF ISRAEL’S DOWNFALL MEANT IF ISRAEL’S DOWNFALL MEANT OPPORTUNITY FOR THE GENTILE, OPPORTUNITY FOR THE GENTILE, HOW MUCH BETTER WILL IT BE IF HOW MUCH BETTER WILL IT BE IF ISRAEL IS RESTORED!!ISRAEL IS RESTORED!!

WORD PICTUREWORD PICTURE

Rom 11:17 You Gentiles are like branches of a Rom 11:17 You Gentiles are like branches of a wild olive tree that were made to be part of a wild olive tree that were made to be part of a cultivated olive tree. You have taken the place of cultivated olive tree. You have taken the place of some branches that were cut away from it. And some branches that were cut away from it. And because of this, you enjoy the blessings that because of this, you enjoy the blessings that come from being part of that cultivated tree. come from being part of that cultivated tree.

Rom 11:18 But don't think you are better than Rom 11:18 But don't think you are better than the branches that were cut away. Just remember the branches that were cut away. Just remember that you are not supporting the roots of that tree. that you are not supporting the roots of that tree. Its roots are supporting you. Its roots are supporting you.

WORD PICTUREWORD PICTURE

Rom 11:19 Maybe you think those branches Rom 11:19 Maybe you think those branches were cut away, so that you could be put in their were cut away, so that you could be put in their place. place.

Rom 11:20 That's true enough. But they were Rom 11:20 That's true enough. But they were cut away because they did not have faith, and cut away because they did not have faith, and you are where you are because you do have you are where you are because you do have faith. So don't be proud, but be afraid. faith. So don't be proud, but be afraid.

Rom 11:21 If God cut away those natural Rom 11:21 If God cut away those natural branches, couldn't he do the same to you? branches, couldn't he do the same to you?

Grafting ProcessGrafting Process

Gal 3:8 And the scripture, foreseeing that Gal 3:8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, Abraham, sayingsaying, In thee shall all nations , In thee shall all nations be blessed. be blessed.

Gal 3:29 And if ye Gal 3:29 And if ye bebe Christ's, then are ye Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.the promise.

Rom 4:13 For the promise, that he Rom 4:13 For the promise, that he should be the should be the heir of the worldheir of the world, , waswas not not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. law, but through the righteousness of faith.