Saturday, 12 July 2008

The Issue of Remarriage In the Church

The subject of divorce and remarriage is the most everybody familiar with in the society today. This subject is not only the matter of the society but sadly it becomes the great issue in the church. No one can deny the reality of this matter but to face it. To those who hold on the fundamental teaching of the Bible, they find difficult to defend the teaching of the Bible on this matter. They are often criticized by friends and the congregations as being selfish and rude. Many have fallen because they could not stand to face the criticism. On the other hand, there are people who ignore the Bible teaching. They compromise the stand they have by giving the approval to divorce and remarriage.

The matter of divorce which is followed by remarriage is growing in percentages in the society and the church. No one can deny that it happens everywhere because it does not only take place in the unbelievers society in general but it is the matter of the church which no way to be avoided but faced. The question arises, what does the Bible tell us of this matter? Should the church accept the demand and influence of the world and forsake the Bible’ teaching? To answer this question it is important to study the nature of marriage given by the Lord in the Bible. As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ we should yield ourselves to follow what the Bible says to us and not following the growing influence of the society. The Lord Jesus Christ has commended us to be salt and life of the world (Matthew 5:13-16). We should dare to be different for the sake of Christ.

The nature of Marriage

In Genesis 2:18-25 we find the account of marriage as the first divinely ordained institution by the Lord. The Lord was the one who created Adam and Eve and made them together in marriage. In this regard marriage is sacred for the Lord has ordained it to be followed by the generation after Adam and Eve. Whosoever has been united by the Lord in marriage no one is allowed to separate them. In fact Genesis 2:24 clearly teaches that the marriage that the Lord has ordained is only a monogamous relationship. The Lord never commanded the people to divorce or remarriage because polyandry and polygamy are not according God’s will. The perfect will of God in marriage is one man and one woman for one lifetime. These two people (one man and one woman) will be called husband and wife. They are to leave their individual homes and cleave to one another to make a new one and weave a life together.

Looking at Genesis 2:24-25 closely, we can conclude that marriage is a covenant based on love and respect that joins. The relationship of a man and woman in this regard is a holy relationship before the Lord. Husband and wife must honor and respect their marriage. Marriage is Scripturally, legally and morally binding for life and not to be put asunder by man or woman (Matt 19:6). Husband and wife should not allow any third party to be involved in the marriage. They need to follow the guidelines that the Lord has provided in the Scriptures so that they will not go wrong as they journey together in this life.

In addition, the Bible also provides the foundation of why the Lord ordained the institution of marriage. The Lord did not do something or command the people without any purpose. In this regard we shall see clearly that firstly marriage is for the purpose of loving companionship and sexual intimacy (Hebrews 13:4). Secondly, marriage is for the purpose of child rearing (Genesis 1:28). These are the absolute purpose given by the Lord. Thus let no man think that marriage is something that they can play fool with, but rather they should honor it because the Lord has ordained it.

In fact we notice clearly that the Lord Jesus has described and taken the example of the holiness of marriage to depict the relationship of Christ and the church (Ephesians 5:22-33). This is to say that marriage is symbolic of the church. The love of Christ for the church should be in the same manner the husband will express his love toward his wife. He should love, care and protect her unto the end of their lives in this world. The holiness of marriage will bring great delight in relationship of husband and wife. “What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder” (Matthew 19:6). By violating God’s commandments, one is committing sin.

The issue of Divorce

Having seen the nature of marriage, the Lord has ordained, then we should consider the issue of divorce that occurs in the church. In the earlier generation, the church did not face the matter of divorce because divorce was almost never encountered among the Christians. However today, this issue has become a very real problem in evangelical Christian circles. In fact infidelity does not only occurs in the midst of ordinary members of the church but also among the Christian leaders. As a result, the church does not seem shining anymore to lift up the truth in the midst of the unbelieving world.

What does the Bible say about divorce? Before divorce takes place it is important to note that divorce always stems from some sins which are really hated by God (Mal 2:16). Sometimes divorce occurs because of the hardship of life and disagreement in certain matters. Whatever reason may be, divorce is not according to the will of God. For the Christian couple, the idea of divorce should never enter their mind though how hard and difficult the matter they need to face. If the wife has done wrong in their marriage, the best solution is that the husband must forgive the wife. Even in the matter of committing adultery, if the innocent spouse can forgive the guilty spouse after showing the signs of repentance it is the best. In this regard, we need to consider the relationship of Christ with the church. We need to ask the question, how often has the church committed adultery? How often does the church not regarding God as her God in her practical living? But when the church repented the Lord forgives her and back to the right relationship with Him. Husband must apply the same thing with regard to the matter of his marriage.

However as human being, there will be a time where the matter can not be solved. As a result husband and wife will divorce. Nevertheless the Bible gives us the guidelines that divorce for Christian couple can be permitted only on the grounds of fornication (Matthews 19:9). In this regard divorce is not sinful for the innocent spouse. In addition, divorce is permitted if an unbeliever deserts a believer (1 Corinthians 7:15). Apart from these, the Bible does not support of the ideas of divorce presented by so-called modern scholars in the theological circles.

The Pharisees tempted Christ concerning the matter of divorce where Moses commanded them to give a writing of divorcement and to put he away (Matthew 19:7). The Lord Jesus gave the right answer that it was because of the hardness of their hearts Moses allowed it (Matthew 19:8). However this statement is not to justify their wrong doings but we need to understand that divorce is forgivable sin (1 John 1:9). Nevertheless those who have fallen to this category let them know that the Lord is not tolerable with sin. Galatians 6:7 said “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”

The issue of Remarriage

When a person has divorced his or her spouse, the next step such person will commonly do is to get remarriage. The world in general has such understanding. But again, we ask, what does the Bible say about remarriage? Under what conditions may Christians remarry? Based on the discussion we have in Matthew 19 between Jesus Christ and the Pharisees, we conclude that remarriage is not allowed especially a spouse who has divorced because of his or her sin of fornication. “Whosoever shall put away his wife except it be for fornication, and shall marry another committeth adultery: and whose marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery” (Matthew 19:9). On the other hand, it is noteworthy that Jesus Christ on a different occasion did not give fornication as an excuse for divorce. “whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery” (Luke 16:18). And again Jesus gave another statement which is applied to wives. “And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery” (Mark 10:12).
Based on the three passages above, it implies that remarriage is forbidden to a believer. However Matthew 19:9 is debatable because of the exceptive “clause” in this verse. Some have concluded that the innocent spouse is free to remarry but Luke 16:18 is against such. Remarriage is also forbidden to a believer who deserts an unbeliever (1 Corinthians 7:11). Then the question arises, who can remarry?

The Bible gives us the clear teaching that remarriage can only be applied to those whose husband or wife has died. As Paul said in I Corinthians 7:39 “the wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.” However interestingly Paul continued to say in verse 40 “But she is happier if she so abide.” Indeed this is the only condition where the Bible gives room for remarriage. Nevertheless as we have discussed in the issue of divorce, remarriage is also forgivable sin. But be reminded again, we shall reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7).

Conclusion

Looking at the nature of marriage, the Lord has ordained marriage between one man and one woman only. The marriage must be monogamous. Marriage must be honored and respected by both couple. The idea of divorce must never enter their mind at all, but rather they should obtain the forgiving spirit. How difficult the situation may be in their marriage, they should realize that the Lord is the one who has put them together.

The growing percentages of divorce in the Christians circles show the declination of the spiritual life of Christians in our generation. In order to avoid divorce in the church, Christians must build themselves in the knowledge of the Word of God and obtain the mind of Christ in our daily life. In so doing, we will fall into sin that cause of trouble in the marriage. For it is clear divorce is forbidden except for the cause of fornication. And remarriage is forbidden except the death of one spouse.

Wednesday, 9 July 2008

God's Promise To Abrahamic Covenant: The People

THE PROMISE OF THE PEOPLE

The People Is the Blessing to All Nations

Based on the promise of God to Abraham in Genesis 12:3, that his descendants would be a blessing to all the world. This promise was mentioned twice to Abraham (Gen 18:18; 22:18) and confirmed also to his son Isaac in Genesis 26:4 and to Jacob in Genesis 28:14. All the promises that God had said with regard to the nation of Israel will be fulfilled. Although many people think that the Lord is not interested on Israel as a nation any more for they have killed their king Jesus Christ. This view is well known as the interpretation of the Amillennium. They also say that all the blessings that the Lord had said to Abraham have been replaced by the church. Therefore the Amillennium believes that the Israel that we see today is not the same as before, because they had been cast by the Lord and the Lord only interested on the church today. However one commented on this view that "These blessings promised to Israel are nowhere reinterpreted as presently belonging to the church. The fact that the promises remain in force anticipates their future fulfilment. Thus, while there is in the promised to all people through Abraham and his seed, many aspect of the promise remain to the fulfilled, especially those dealing with the “great nation” seed and the “land” but also the final inheritance of spiritual salvation." The Lord who is faithful to what he had said will fulfil the promises given to Abraham.

With regard to the promised people as an universal blessing, it is seen its fulfilment through the Lord Jesus Christ where His lineage came from the line of Abraham. Through Him we know that all the world (those who believe on Him) is rejoicing for the eternal salvation that they have in Christ Jesus. Truly this is the greatest blessing that people have in life. The nation of Israel will continue be as a blessing to all the world, even for the second coming of Jesus Christ, Israel is the key as the Bible describes that His coming will be the same from the place where he went up to heaven namely Jerusalem. This is to say those who have known Christ will see Him face to face with great joy.
Conclusion

The call of Abraham to leave his own country and his father’s house is clearly seen as the plan of the Lord for the salvation of the sinners. Since the promise had given to Adam in Genesis 3:15, therefore the Lord had chosen Abraham and his descendants as the chosen people where this promise would be fulfilled and many people would be blessed. As Saucy said, "Only with the call of Abraham does God step into human history to initiate his own kingdom program of salvation. The gracious promises given to Abraham in covenant appear throughout Scripture as the foundation and essential ingredients in germinal form of all subsequent salvation history. In addition to the content, the paradigmatic divine human relationship evident in the covenant with Abraham constitutes the root of all salvation."

In the promises of the Lord given to Abraham, there are three main promises that the Lord should bring to pass namely, the promise of the heir, the promise of the land and the promise of the people as a universal blessing. Indeed the first was already fulfilled but the second partly for the land of Israel have not yet been fulfilled as what the Lord had said to Abraham. And the third is being fulfilled in the church age today.
Therefore through the promises of God made in the Abrahamic Covenant, it is clear that the promised Saviour would come to save the all sinners who believe and have faith on Him. Indeed through this covenant we may see and taste the joy of salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ.

God's Promise To Abrahamic Covenant: The Land

THE PROMISE OF THE LAND

The promised son was one of the promises that the Lord had told to Abraham. After having fulfilled this promise, there at least two more promises that the Lord should show to the descendants of Abraham namely the promised land and the promised people as the great nation which is also as a blessing to all nations (Gen 12:2).

The Promised Land Was Given to His People

Although the birth of Isaac came later, the promised land was told to Abraham. This promise was given when the Lord made the covenant with Abraham that the land in which he stood would be given to him and his descendants although in that point of time it belonged to many nations. Despite of the present of these nations the Lord gave the land to him unconditionally as the Lord saying, "Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates: the Kenites, and the Kenizzites, and the Kadmonites, And the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Rephaim, And the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Girgashites, and the Jebusites" (Gen 15:18-21).

This promise was reaffirmed to Abraham after the birth of Ishmael saying, "I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God. And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations" (Gen 17:8-9).

This promise first was seen its fulfilment in the death of Sarah where Abraham bought a piece of land to bury his wife. This was just the starting for Abraham to see this land as his possession (Gen 23:1-20), for the Lord had given him the border of the land from the great river to the river of Euphrates. What Abraham had it was just for the burial ground for his wife and “this became the future burial ground of Abraham himself (Gen 25:8-10).” As Davis comments, "the very fact that Abraham Buried Sarah in the land of Canaan is proof of his unwavering faith. Knowing that his descendants would have to endure 400 years of bitter bondage in a foreign country (15:13), he looked beyond that to the ultimate fulfilment of God’s promise. ...Abraham is remembered for his far reaching faith which caused him to look for a city ‘whose builder and maker is God.’"

Therefore the great fulfilment to this promised land would be seen further in the time of Abraham descendants through Jacob and his twelve sons (became the twelve tribes) possess the land.

The People Was Restored to the Land

The land that Abraham had bought became the possession of his descendants, even to his grandson Jacob. Jacob with his twelve sons lived in Canaan. The famine that happened in this country had caused them to leave this land and went to Egypt as the command of Joseph his son whom became prime ministry in Egypt. The prophesy of Abraham descendant as being strangers for 430 years was being fulfilled in this land of Egypt (Gen 15:13). During these long years, the descendants of Abraham as known Israel had been suffering under the bondage of Egyptians. But despite of this hardship, the Lord had had blessed them that this nation had grown to two millions people. This was the fulfilment of the promise of the Lord to Abraham that his descendants would be innumerable.
The land of Canaan that had been left for 430 years would be restored by God to the children of Israel that the Israelites who were under bondage for many years would be brought back to the promised land. Indeed under the leadership of Moses, they left Egypt and marched to the promised land through the way of wilderness, and under the leadership of Joshua they had conquered the land and destroyed those nations who lived in the promised land as the Lord commanded them to do. The divisions of the land had been done and the land was divided according to their tribes (Joshua).

After the death of Joshua and the elders of the Israelites, the children of Israel did evil before the Lord and worship other gods, and the Lord sold them to their enemies. Because of the apostasy that happened among the Israelites, the Lord had commanded His prophets to warn them that they might obey and follow their Lord. One has said that "The land aspect of the Abraham promise had particular importance for the prophets of the declining and post-monarchy era. Because of apostasy, Israel was losing the land and consequently her nationhood, but that was not the last word. Through the prophecies of Jeremiah and Ezekiel in particular, God sustained the hope of the faithful with promises of a return to the land."

Many a time in spite of obeying their prophets they ignored them, even in time the prophets telling them that they would be captive by the Assyrian and Babylonian. Their hearts were hardened and disobeyed the Lord. In this time many Israelites were killed and many were exiled for seventy years in Babylon. The promised land was taken by other nations. After their return from exile some of the land was taken by their surrounding nations, and their land was smaller than before. One commented that "The exiles who returned to the land under Ezra and Nehemiah rested their faith in the God of Abraham. Even while they were still under the domination of others (Neh 9:36-37), they based their hope of restoration on God’s covenant with Abraham, as we see in their prayer of national confession and their determination to obey God’s law."

Whereas the Lord had promised to Abraham how large the promised land it is. But even in the first entering of the Israelites to the promised land, the land was not fulfilled as the Lord had commanded. Therefore the promised land should be restored to his people as the Lord had said, even in AD 70 many had taught the nation of Israel no longer, and yet in 1948, the nation of Israel exists again. Therefore the promise of the Lord also should be fulfilled to the nation of Israel today. As Macnaughtan comments “The land is to be restored to the people of Israel. The unconditional covenant made with Abraham, not yet fulfilled in all its details, as we have seen, requires this.” He further comments with regard to the fulfilment of the promised land: "We know of no one who would have the temerity to claim that, under Joshua and his immediate successors, the Israelites ‘possessed’ and ‘dwelt in’ the whole land from the River of Egypt to the Euphrates! Either we must conclude that the solemn promise God made to Abraham was never intended to be taken on its face value - and this we can not accept- or that the promise is yet to find its complete fulfilment."

God's Promise To Abrahamic Covenant: The Heir

The call of Abraham had been the most significant to all the world where from his descendants the Lord has been showing mercy to all sinners after the fall of Adam. Indeed the plan of God is beyond of the expectaion and imagination of humankind. Having fallen into sin, God opens a way of salvation to all people for His sake.

The promises that the Lord had given to Abraham have produced the great result to humankind and to the nation of Israel particularly. In order to reveal and fulfill the promise of the coming saviour mentioned in Gen 3:15, the Lord had chosen Abraham and his descendants as vihicle to accomplish his promises. With regard to these promises the Lord also must show the significant of His people as He had made covenant to His servant Abraham that his generation would be the great nation. In order to accomplish this promise the Lord must bestow him a son, for when the Lord made the covenant with him he had not had any child at all, and provide him a land. (Genesis 15:1-5)

Based on Genesis 17:7 this covenant is the everlasting covenant between God and Abraham and his descendants. This is to say that the covenant that God made to Abraham is eternal till all the promises would be fulfiled. Therefore the phisical seeds of Abraham though they disobeyed and not worship Him, would continue under this covenant. That the Lord still intersted to the children of Abraham as a nation and He will remember them. In the fullness of time he will bring them back to His own.Thus the writer of this paper would discuss the threefold promises of God in Abrahamic covenant as followings: (1) the promise of the heir (seed), (2) the promise of the land and (3) the promise of the people to be the blessing.

THE PROMISE OF THE HEIR

The step of faith that Abraham did to obey and follow what the Lord had said to him was the most significant in the history of the life of Abraham. Abraham did not know about the Lord while he was staying in his father’s house. The call of Abraham was the first experience to hear the voice of the Lord. However, he did believe to what the Lord commanded to him. He believed that the Lord who had called him is the true God and the promised keeping God. Therefore by faith he departed from his country to the land which the Lord would show him (Gen 12:1,4).

In Abraham’s first response, he was childless (Gen 15:3), but through the faith that he received from the Lord, it was the foundation for him to believe what the Lord told him. The Lord told Abraham, "Get thee out of thy country...unto a land that I will show thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee and make thy name great: and thau shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed" (Gen 12:1-3).

After this the Lord also appear to him for the second time to conform to him the land that he stepped on that this land would be given to him particularly unto his seed (Gen 12:7). Truly the Lord kept His word and now Abraham after his return from Egypt and his separation with Lot, this promise was renewed by the Lord to Abraham . The Lord told him saying, "Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered. Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee" (Gen 13:14-18).

Based on these promises that the Lord would give the land to him though in that point of time he did not have any child but God in His good time would fulfil what he had promised. Though in human’s understanding it was hard to believe that Abraham would have a child for in the time of his calling he was seventy five years old (Gen 12:4).

Having received the promises from the Lord thrice (Gen 12:1-3, Gen 12:7; Gen 13:14-17), the Lord again came to Abram in a vision to conform to him that the Lord is His ‘shield’ and his ‘exceeding great reward’ (15:1). From these four times God spoke to Abraham, thrice he did not comment at all but he just followed what the Lord told him. In this fourth appearance, Abraham declared his desire as a response to what the Lord had promised. Therefore Abraham said to the Lord “Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and lo, one born in my house in mine heir” (Gen 15:3). The Lord replied to him that though the Lord had not given him any son yet, the servant who was born in his house was not his heir but the true heir will come from his own seed (Gen 15:4). In this confusing situation of Abraham, the Lord further assured him to this coming fulfilment heir of him saying: “Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be” (15:5). Abaraham just believed to this promise even though he did not know the axact time of fulfilment of this promise.

Ishmael

After ten years passed by, the promise of the Lord had not yet fulfilled in the life of Abraham. The promised son who would inherit the land was not known yet. This perhaps was the greatest worried to Sarai his wife that she desired to have a child. Sarai had heard the promises for ten years and yet she did not see any sign of its fulfilment. Therefore Abraham and Sarai became more concerned. Sarai was not patient to wait for the Lord’s blessing. As the custom in those days, Abraham was asked by his wife to take her handmaid, Hagar, as a concubine, that she might bear a child on behalf of Sarai and Abraham listened to his wife (Gen 16:1-3). One year later, “Hagar bare Abram a son: and Abram called his son’s name, which Hagar bare, Ishmael. And Abram was fourscore and six years old, when Hagar bare Ishmael to Abram” (Gen 16:15-16).
As years went by, the promises of the Lord never changed. The Lord still remembered His to Abraham, and He would fulfil them in His good time. Therefore after the birth of Ishmael to his family, the Lord still did not show to him any sign of his seed. And the Lord said that Ishmael was not the promised son who would inherit the land but from his own seed through his wife Sarai (Gen 17:15-21). And the Lord also said to Abraham with regard to his son Ishmael saying “as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation” (Gen 17:20).

In Genesis 21:6-21, Hagar and Ishmael were sent away for Ishmael was not the promised son. As far as Sarah was concerned, the continuing presence of Hagar and Ishmael in her household threatened her position and authority. Not wanting to become embroiled in the dispute, which was legally Sarah’s to settle, Abraham suggested that she do to Hagar “as it pleaseth thee.” So Sarah made life difficult for Hagar, perhaps by returning her to slave status (which the Code of Hammurab permitted the wife to do) and making unrealistic demands upon her. In any event, Hagar was forced to flee, and she got as far as the wilderness on the way to Shur (16:7), near the Egyptian border (20:1; 25:13).

However because Ishmael was the seed of Abraham, the Lord said that Ishmael the son of the bondwoman also would be a nation (Gen 21:13,18). As Davis commented that “many Arabs claim Ishmael as their father and, therefore, Palestine as their land. The prophetic description of Ishmael as “a wild ass of a man” is rather intriguing.”

Isaac

From the birth of Ishmael, the Lord “was silent for thirteen more years.This was the time of Abraham’s faith testing with regard to the promised heir which the Lord had promised. But the Lord remembered His promise, and he said to Abraham when his wife was ninety years old that she would bear a child. This was very hard to believe that such age can bear a child. The confirmation was given to Abraham by the Lord through the announcement that his wife’s name should be changed to ‘Sarah’ which means ‘a mother of nations.’ Abraham response to this was that Ishmael was the promised seed, but the Lord said “Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed and thou shalt call his name Isaac” (Gen 17:19). Now Abraham understood that Ishmael was not the promised son that God had promised to him but Isaac. This is to say that “Abraham’s heir would be his own child, not an adopted servant.”

Starting with the promised birth of Isaac (Gen 17:21), the Lord told Abraham that the Lord would make the covenant to Isaac and his seed as everlasting covenant (Gen 17:19). This is to say that what the promise that God had said to Abraham would continue to Isaac and his seed after him, and they would be fulfilled by God in the fullness of time. The promise that the descendants of Abraham as a great nation would come to pass (Gen 15:5).

The great evidence for this promise to Abraham seen by the birth of Isaac through his wife Sarah, when Abraham was a hundred years old (Gen 21:1-5). Abraham was convinced to all the promises that God made with him would be fulfilled. As Davis said “God’s elective purposes will be fulfilled through the descendants of Isaac." However above all that the fulfilment of the coming saviour in Gen 3:15 would come from the line of Isaac. This is crucial to know that through the promised son of Abraham, Christians can see how God’s plan worked to bring salvation to sinners. Nothing that man can do for their salvation except looking to Jesus.

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