Many people — perhaps even most, including those who call themselves “Christian” — are often surprised by what the Bible actually says. There is, for example, no mention of celebrating the most important single event in human history – the death and subsequent resurrection of our Messiah – via pagan fertility symbols like eggs and bunnies, although the practice is repeatedly and unquestionably prohibited. Likewise, many of us who are beginning to “come out of” such pagan traditions have come to understand that He was not born in late December (when there would not have been “shepherds watching over the flocks by night” anyway) but instead during the time of Sukkot, or “Mangers”, as those temporary structures have been called in Olde English!
But one of the most repeated metaphors in Scripture is even more commonly ignored by the mainstream ‘church’, perhaps because it is even more “politically incorrect” than some of the other pagan-inspired traditions associated with the “religions of man”, but includes some of the same hubris of ancient goddess worship: “I sit as queen, and am no widow, and will see no sorrow.” (Rev. 18:7)
It is, as we have come to expect from a Book which reminds us to “let everything” be confirmed by two or more witnesses, confirmed by at least two prophets. It is, also, consistent with both His Word, and His character, as confirmed by all that is Written about the Covenant we call “marriage”. Sadly, it is also consistent with His teachings about idolatry, and adultery, and their spiritual and physical equivalence.
It is NOT just “the Church” which has fallen into idolatry, and committed spiritual adultery against Him. And NEITHER is it just “the Jews!” History, and the Bible, are replete with evidence: it is BOTH Samaria and Judea, the northern AND the southern kingdoms, Israel AND Judah, which have committed idolatry, been banished into exile, and called “harlots” for their rebellion to their Husband.
Virtually every prophet in the Bible warns of the issue, and YermeYahu (Jeremiah) and Yehezkiel (Ezekiel) are quite specific.
“Then I saw that for all the causes for which backsliding Israel had committed adultery, I had put her away and given her a certificate of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah did not fear, but went and played the harlot also. Jeremiah 3:8
Prophecies tend to repeat; there is indeed “nothing new under the sun“. The northern tribes, which were sent into exile and “lost” – scattered among the nations of the earth, STILL continued their pagan ways. They brought the fertility rites of Easter, the ‘sunrise service’ celebrated with child sacrifice, and commemorated by dying eggs the color of blood, BACK into “the church” – and pretended, as always, that it was somehow all being done to “honor Him.” The trouble is, however, that adultery, and things YHVH said were “abomination” to Him, are just not pleasing to Him…regardless of the lies and justifications in which they come packaged.
Judah, too, fell into idolatry, and was ultimately sent into bondage again — for the same reasons as always:
“[Israel] did not return. And her treacherous sister Judah saw it…
Judah did not fear, but went and played the harlot also…
In spite of witnessing the judgment that befell her idolatrous sister, Judah did not accept chastening, or heed His warnings.
…And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah has not turned to Me with her whole heart, but in pretense,” says YHVH. (Jer. 3:6-11)
And whether it is two sticks, two houses, two kingdoms, or two unfaithful wives which are the subject, the message is always the same: He is faithful to His Covenant, and we – in the broadest possible sense – have repeatedly been guilty of idolatry – spiritual adultery – putting ‘another lover’ before Him, and have been “put away”, and sent into exile for our harlotry. He is the Master, King, Father, Redeemer, and faithful Husband — and we have committed infidelity. Over and over again!
But even when it comes to betrayal and infidelity, the message of Scripture, literally from the first example in Genesis 3 onward, is about His plan for Redemption. The “remedy for the jealous husband”, the cup described in Numbers 5:12-31, is the very same cup described in Ezekiel 23:31-34, and in Revelation 18:6. It is the same cup to which the Messiah drank for US in Gethsemane.
There will come a time when BOTH “treacherous sisters” will again have to choose whether to be obedient to their Husband, or to continue to walk in idolatry. For each of us, as individuals, but who come from multiple ‘traditions’ — all of which ultimately are full of pagan idolatry — that means we will have to decide whether to follow Him, or stand outside the wedding service still to come, with “gnashing of teeth”.
Many denominations seem to have adopted the doctrine that WE — and we alone — are to be “THE Bride”. Those who do not subscribe to that doctrine, and our traditions, of course, thus CANNOT be part of that “one and only.” The Truth may be disconcerting to those who “by your traditions have made the commandments of YHVH of no effect.”
He is the King, the Master, the Husband – and we are not. Every story, every parable, makes that clear. The question, as always, remains the same. Do we choose to follow Him, or our traditions?
“But you have played the harlot with many lovers; Yet return to Me,” says YHVH.”
