I'm Following Jesus – Page 1139 – Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

King James Bible Study – “And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” – Mark 8:34

Date: Friday, March 19, 2021
Chapters: Deuteronomy 24-26
Message: Marriage & Divorce

Hello My Friend,

Okay, I have been going through different messages of the past years trying to find something that I can just copy and paste from these chapters in an attempt to keep from discussing what God is leading me to talk about. As much we want to avoid certain topics discussed in regards to our Christianity, they all need to be addressed. Well, today’s subject is fornication, [John 8:41-43 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. 42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. 43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.]

[If God were your Father,] If someone truly wants God in their lives, then they will not only understand Jesus, they will love and accept Him for all that He is, and not only for our salvation. You cannot say that you love God then choose how you worship Him, we must worship God as He commands or we are worshiping a false god. And if we are saved doing this, then the only thing God sees us cheating on Him. Yesterday we read about marriage, today, it is about divorce. Divorce is a controversial subject, one church will forbid divorce of any kind, no matter how brutal the situation is. One church will allow divorce, but never to remarry until the spouse dies. One church will actually all multiple marriages in order to keep from divorcing. Yes, these are all practices in churches. Well, as always, there is mans law and then there is the Bible, which is the truth of the matter. Moses instituted the bill of divorcement for men who got married and no longer wanted in the marriage.

[Deuteronomy 24:1-4 When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house. 2 And when she is departed out of his house, she may go and be another man’s wife. 3 And if the latter husband hate her, and write her a bill of divorcement, and giveth it in her hand, and sendeth her out of his house; or if the latter husband die, which took her to be his wife; 4 Her former husband, which sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that is abomination before the LORD: and thou shalt not cause the land to sin, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.]

[because he hath found some uncleanness in her:] This could have been any reason, but something turned his heart away from her and he became cruel toward her. In this case it is highly unlikely that she committed adultery because that was cause for death. Therefore, a divorce was granted, and she was even able to marry another man, but that meant the first husband if he decided that he wanted her back, could not because she had been with another man. Jesus explains it this way, [Matthew 19:7-9 They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? 8 He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. 9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.]

[except it be for fornication,] [Fornication; Harlotry (including adultery and incest); figuratively idolatry. Idolatry; The worship of idols, images, or any thing made by hands, or which is not God.]. Now, this pertains to all forms of fornication, anything done with the body that causes the marriage to be broken, including adultery, abuse, drugs, alcohol, religion, or moving away from their faith, these constitute as fornication, and are the only acts that are just cause for divorce, if it cannot be reconciled. It is very convicting, to say the least, when we get in God’s Word, and are reminded of things we ought to be doing, things we have forgotten, and things we have never known, [Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.]

The Bible, God’s Holy Word, it was written under the inspiration of God through the Holy Spirit as He directed every person He chose to pen down His thoughts and the events He wanted to allow in His word. We do not need the Bible to be persuaded that God is real, we do not even need another person, but the Bible was given to us as a guide to know God and have a relationship with Him. Even though God chose the Jews to be the people the rest of the world would recognize as His people, He did not stop anyone from believing and choosing Him. In an interesting contrast, God gave a specific law concerning marriage of the heir of the family. The inheritance of the father would be passed down to their first son, he was the heir, the one who would keep the heritage going from generation to generation. If the heir died before he had a son with his wife, the wife would then be given to the next son in line, but their first born son would be the heir of the one who died.

[Deuteronomy 25:5-9 If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry without unto a stranger: her husband’s brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of an husband’s brother unto her. 6 And it shall be, that the firstborn which she beareth shall succeed in the name of his brother which is dead, that his name be not put out of Israel. 7 And if the man like not to take his brother’s wife, then let his brother’s wife go up to the gate unto the elders, and say, My husband’s brother refuseth to raise up unto his brother a name in Israel, he will not perform the duty of my husband’s brother. 8 Then the elders of his city shall call him, and speak unto him: and if he stand to it, and say, I like not to take her; 9 Then shall his brother’s wife come unto him in the presence of the elders, and loose his shoe from off his foot, and spit in his face, and shall answer and say, So shall it be done unto that man that will not build up his brother’s house.]

[that the firstborn which she beareth shall succeed in the name of his brother which is dead,] The reason that this is so important has to do with heritage. This would be a huge factor as it did when God would allow the Moabites to come into the congregation. Now, if there were no other son, the widow would be given to the next of kin of the father’s family, this was known as the kinsmen redeemer. Remember Ruth? She was a Moabite, and actually became wife to Boaz who was of the tribe of Judah, from which David would descend, who would become king, and eventually Jesus would descend in the flesh. [Ruth 4:13-15,17 So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bare a son. 14 And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the LORD, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel. 15 And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him. 17 And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.]

Do you see the significance in all this? This union would pave the way for believers of all nations to come to Christ. God’s choice in His people had nothing to do with them being better, more spiritual, or more righteous than any other nation, it had to do with the covenant or promise that He made with Abraham. God promised Abraham that his seed or heritage would be like counting the sand in the sea, or stars in the sky, and that he would be the father of many nations. As Moses wraps up his long speech, he reminds them of that promise.

[Deuteronomy 26:16-19 This day the LORD thy God hath commanded thee to do these statutes and judgments: thou shalt therefore keep and do them with all thine heart, and with all thy soul. 17 Thou hast avouched the LORD this day to be thy God, and to walk in his ways, and to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and to hearken unto his voice: 18 And the LORD hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments; 19 And to make thee high above all nations which he hath made, in praise, and in name, and in honour; and that thou mayest be an holy people unto the LORD thy God, as he hath spoken.]

[And the LORD hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people,] [Avouch; to assume responsibility for, to testify on one’s behalf.] When Christ died on the cross He avouched for all of Hos believers. He took on the responsibility for all our sins and gave His life for everyone, regardless of whether or not they accept Him. Now, when you call on Jesus Christ to save you, He takes that one step further, He stands before God and avouches for you, and in another interesting contrast to all this is the fact that we become the bride of Christ, and we will join Him in His Kingdom, [Revelation 21:7-9 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. 9 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.]

Jesus Christ Magnified: [Deuteronomy 26:18-19 And the LORD hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments; 19 And to make thee high above all nations which he hath made, in praise, and in name, and in honour; and that thou mayest be an holy people unto the LORD thy God, as he hath spoken.]

Today’s Prayer: Jesus, Thank You for vouching for me when I chose You as my Saviour. I do not have to earn my way into Your family, I am graphed in as joint heirs with You through my faith alone. It is truly amazing that no matter what I do You never leave nor forsake me, and that You avouch for me before our Father. I want Your favor upon my life and to be a witness and testimony of Your great love. Lord, lead me and guide me, give me Your mercy, grace, and Holy Spirit power to remain faithful to You and give me Your strength to walk away from anything or person who entice me to go against Your Word. I ask these things in Your name, Jesus, Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,

Christina

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