Spiritually Unequal Marriage

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Where Did It Go?

Part I   Part II   Part III   Part IV  I have to say this has been one of the most empowering and purposeful series I have ever participated in. In the…

Part I   Part II   Part III   Part IV 

I have to say this has been one of the most empowering and purposeful series I have ever participated in. In the comments last week was this: 

Jennifer said…

After much contemplation in these passages, I and my sister have formed an opinion of sorts about King Melchizedek.

Okay, this is her first sentence and her comment was excellent but you know what I loved most about this comment?  Jennifer is reading God’s Word. She is contemplating God’s. Holy. Word…. And she is having conversations with others. Man, what I wouldn’t give to sit with them at the kitchen table and talk about King Melchizedek. 

Thanks Jen…. It thrills the Lord to the core that you desire to know Him more. 

And everyone who has been part of the comments, thank you. I’m humbled over your love for Jesus and for this community and your great insights into a difficult study. 

Okay so on with our story. Here we go……. 

image from www.spirituallyunequalmarriage.com
Darn it!!! 

Those Israelites reject God’s favor for the things of this world and languish in poverty, slavery and misery 400 years. 

I wonder if you are like me. Have you ever read some of the stories in God’s Word and just want to throttle these people? There are times I wish I could have kicked Eve’s butt in the garden. How about you? But I tell you what? Would we have chosen differently? Would we have remained faithful if we had experienced God first hand? 

Just think about times in your life where you absolutely knew God intervened and yet months later you doubt it was really Him. I think I’m exactly like every other human being and have failed like those of ancient times. However, I also have learned that when I truly trust and believe what God says, I’m always, ALWAYS better off. I can be a little slow at times on the learning curve but thankfully not 400 years slow. Sheesh. 

So let’s pick up our story. 

Now let’s behold our Lord God's continuing story. Let us continue with…

Moses 

Now get this: Moses was born in slavery but raised in royalty. 

Whoa. 

I’m not going to recap the entire story of this man but only point out that God chose him to deliver His people to the Promised Land. God chose him to teach the people how to love God and worship Him again.

Moses reestablishes God’s covenant. God says to Moses: 

“Then have them (Hebrews) make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you. Exodus 25:8-9 

God again dwells on earth. Can you imagine what Moses saw? Do you think it was the Heavenly Temple of God. Gives me goose bumps. 

So, the Priesthood is established through Aaron and his sons. After 40 years God’s people settle in the Promised Land. We could spend months in a study as to why it took 40 years to travel a distance that should have taken eleven days. I wonder if we can relate that to our own lives. 

Perhaps: The lessons I need to live in God’s perfect will would likely take eleven days. However, because of my arrogant pride, reality is, it will actually require the majority of my adult life and the challenges of a spiritually mismatched marriage to bring me to the Promised Land. 

Anyone??? 

Okay, so the Arronic Priesthood is established. Let’s have some discussion in the comments. What was its function? Who were the Levites and why are they different than the Priesthood of Aaron. How did this bring God’s presence to earth? 

Also, what was the Priesthood like at the time of Christ? How were they chosen? Did you know they were the only people to retire? What age? Were they powerful or of influence. Were the feared by the people? By Rome? 

Ahhhh, now we’re getting somewhere and on Friday it’s going to come together. I wonder if you can read between the lines and see the big picture????

Who is up for a little searching and can find some of these answers? I will meet you in the comments. Hugs, Lynn 

Comments

23 responses

  1. Sabrina Avatar
    Sabrina

    It’s funny to me that I just starting reading Exodus today…probably not an accident 🙂 I’ll get back to you when I’ve researched this topic a little more…

    Reply
  2. Teresa T Avatar
    Teresa T

    During my journey, I can so relate to the 40 years in the desert. They were free from slavery, but not living fully in the promise. More later. Love. T2

    Reply
  3. Joanne Avatar
    Joanne

    I’ve always made it clear to God that I need unmistakable signs and messages because honestly?…I can be a wee bit dense. LOL AND SO as I began this study all I have to share right now with glee is that I had undecidedly signed up for a mission trip to Kenya. Very surreal for me at the meeting last night because this is SO UNLIKE ME! Prayed last night for clear response from God if I am really to go? or not to go? My reading in Exodus 35:35 and Exodus 36-40 suddenly hit me square in the heart. God WANTS me to GO! The reason I know this is because our mission in Kenya? Rebuilding a CHURCH!!!
    OH LYNN! This lesson is ABSOLUTELY ASTOUNDING/EXCITING! God is meeting us here as we converse! “WOW!!” <><

    Reply
  4. Joanne Avatar
    Joanne

    Thank you for saying Exodus Sabrina. I was a wee baffled on where to go for my study with this and therefore followed you and found my answer!! Love how God works!!!
    You were used by Him today for me 🙂 xo

    Reply
  5. Joanne Avatar
    Joanne

    p.s. Sorry…I got excited and forgot my input!
    I’m beginning to think all that we are investigating here is a lesson in understanding how close God really is if we only seek Him, daily without ceasing. Keep Him on your mind and heart through all you do and His directions will become clear with each and everyday you do this. It’s not about living in biblical laws. It’s about but drawing close to a relationship with God and loving each other through His love. All I have to say about retirement = death. “Keep on keepin’ on SUM sistas (and brothers if they are tuning in to this?)
    “Oh and another trip God has placed a desire in my heart to act on = The Holy Land! Conversations with God make me absolutely giddy!

    Reply
  6. Lynn Avatar
    Lynn

    Sabrina,
    I LOVE how you are so engaged in this study. Girl, you will be able to teach me about it soon. Hugging you. Thanks for walking it out with me. See you Friday.

    Reply
  7. Lynn Avatar
    Lynn

    Girl… I “get” you. Hugging you today.

    Reply
  8. Lynn Avatar
    Lynn

    Girl,
    You fire me up all over again….How amazing is that. GO and girl, build that church and you better send me photos. Neat…. neat… neat…

    Reply
  9. Lynn Avatar
    Lynn

    Awesome insights Joanne. I LOVE to read your comments and share your heart for this adventure of the believers life.
    WOO HOO. One day I’m going to meet you face-to-face. I can’t wait. And… I visited the Holy Land in 2000. It was incredible. The Bible came to life. And I still see it in my memory now in many passages I read in the WORD.
    So hope you can go one day. Hugging you.

    Reply
  10. Lynn Avatar
    Lynn

    Okay,
    I have been so thrilled with all of your responses and how so many of you are researching for yourself through the Bible. This is real community where we study God’s Word and fellowship together.
    I never thought that possible in an online setting but it’s powerful, effective and we are living together on this journey. Woo Hoo..

    Reply
  11. Lynn Avatar
    Lynn

    So I have a few things to share about the priesthood.
    They were the only people who retired, at age 50. If my memory serves they entered the Priesthood at 25 and retired at 50.
    The Arronic Priesthood served as the High Priest and the Levites as ordinary priests, Priests of service in the Temple and such. Hope that helps
    The Romans feared the power of the Priesthood at the time of Christ and they were corrupt. A couple different people have offered some interesting thoughts on all this so next, I will share an email that came from a friend on this very subject.
    READ what she has to say about John the Baptist…. Amazing..

    Reply
  12. Lynn Avatar
    Lynn

    This arrived in my inbox. I knew I needed to share it here: It’s awesome
    Hi Lynn,
    1. Who was King Melchizedek? I read he existed and Jesus was declared to be after the order of Melchizedek. I didn’t realize it was one of the prophecies concerning Jesus. I didn’t realize Melchizedek was a King on earth…I thought he came directly from heaven that one time like other angels came periodically to speak to Abram and others, but when I read the next lesson page and saw how Bethel means “House of God” it makes more sense (I know I cheated). I never realized that both Abram and Jacob met with God in that place. I didn’t know that there was an actual town on earth where God met with them and that there was an actual King/Priest who reigned on earth. Mind boggling. It appears that Abram was the only one that had the revelation of who King Melchizedek really was…The High Priest of God Almighty Himself. And the fact that he brought bread and wine to Abram…wow. Was that his way of cleansing Abram before God could speak to him directly later on to make the covenant? My thoughts are possibly yes because God spoke with Abram and because he beleived it was counted to him as righteousness after the bread and wine.
    2. Do you believe God’s Kingdom is on earth today? Yes, because of the Scripture that declares “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit…” Romans 14:17 and 1 Cor. 6:19 “Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?”
    I also have had personal experiences where the Holy Spirit spoke to a person concerning his personal life which I knew nothing about (he recieved the Lord that night and shortly after his wife)…same thing with a minister who didn’t believe in being born again…often I am unaware of Him using me. People will come up and say ‘your letter really hit home’ or ‘I’ll never forget when you did thus and so…and I had no recollection of doing any of it. Usually when I ‘think’ I’m being used by the Holy Spirit it was my pride, not God. Knowledge puffs up…
    Lynn, I understand what you say about the battle not to be anxious and worried about money…I battle it as well almost daily but not only money but about pleasing God, doing the right thing, over critical of myself when I make a mistake or allowing others to put their guilt on me, that I’m responsible for things I’m not and don’t take responsibility when I should…I believe I’m still living more under the law than under grace. While writing to you I was reading passages and saying wow…God forgave me of sexual immorality after I became a believer; wow…God forgave me for marrying an unbeliever…wow, God forgave me for blaming my husband for my inablilty to walk the Christian life as I ought…He showed me that it is between Him and myself no one else…that it rests on my choices not on what he does or does not do or believe. As you can see I put a lot of pressure on myself. It was never meant to be this way. Small steps…’return to me, O Lord, the joy of my salvation.’ That’s enough confessing for now.
    3. Aaronic Priesthood and Livites question. I read about the sons of Aaron were priests who wore garments for ministering in the sanctuary and Aaron wore different sacred garments as the High Priest with the twelve tribes of Israel symbolized with gems. Then I read about the Levites which I didn’t know about…
    Duties of Priests and Levites
    “Bring your fellow Levites from your ancstral tribe to join you and assist you when you and your sons minister before the Tent of the Testimony. They are tobe responsible to you and are to perform all the duties of the Tent, but theymust not go nearthe furnishings of the sanctuary or the altar, or both they and you will die. They are to join you and be responsible for the care of the Tent of Meeting–all thework at the Tent–and noone else maycome near where you are. You (priests and Aaron) re to be responsible forthe care of the sanctuary and the altar,sothat wrathwill notfall on the Israelies again. I myself have selected your fellow Levites from among the Israelites as a gift to you, dedicated to the LORD to do thework at the Tent of Meeting. But only you and your sons may serve as priests in connection with everything at the altar and inside the curtain. I am giving you the service of the priesthood as a gift. Anyone else who comes near the sanctuary must be put to death.” Numbers 18 1-7
    After reading this again I was thinking about Jesus’ time. The only reference I could find was “Now this was John’s testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was.’ John 1:19 So it seems the Numbers command was still in force, but I don’t know if the priests were direct decendants of Aaron.
    This brings me to something I listened to on a TV program concerning Jesus’ becoming the High Priest in the order of Melchizedek. Food for thought…It comes from first John the Baptist’s ministry and then to the actual baptism of Jesus. First they asked the question as to why John was not sent to the Temple to preach repentence and baptism. They said that it was because the priesthood was contaminated with sin and therefore God sent John out in the wilderness to separate himself from them and to preach Christ’s coming as prophecy predicted. Now here is the awesome part (I hope I can convey it correctly). When Jesus went to the Jordan it wasn’t to be purified from sin as we know but it was so that God Himself would anoint him as the High Priest for the people according to the Old Testament Ordination of Aaron concerning annointing the High priest (see Numbers 8). They studied the traditions of how High priests passed down the office of High priests to their sons. There was a ceremonial washing of water, then the High priest anointed his son with oil. when this was done they would say “this is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased” thus passing on the role to the son.
    God Himself sent Jesus to the Jordan “so that all Scripture will be fulfilled” He didn’t need a sacrifice for sin but the Jordan was the ceremonial washing of water that a High Priest was required to receive. The place of the Jordan where Jesus stood was on the twelve stones the Israeltes were commanded to stack in rememberance of the faithfulness of God in difficult times. They represented the twelve tribes of Israel just as the gems represented it on Aaron’s garment. Then the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove hovered over Jesus with his wings reaching out from one temple to the other of his forehead (the High priest annointed his son in this way with actual oil as a symbol of the annointing of the Holy Spirit). Then God called out from heaven “This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased” just as the High priest would say to his son. Thus Jesus’ ministry began as High Priest after the order of Melchizedek for the forgiveness of sin which was one of the High Priest’s duties along with healing, etc. Thus fulling Ps. 110:4. He ultimately became the perfect sacrifice for all sin once and for all.
    Like I said food for thought…I probably didn’t get it perfectly right but you get the picture.
    Barb

    Reply
  13. Lynn Avatar
    Lynn

    Barb,
    Really fascinating stuff. I LOVE this part of Jesus and His baptism and how God spoke, “This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased.”
    Holy shivers. Freaky and so cool. Thanks for sharing. BIG hugs, Lynn

    Reply
  14. Joanne Avatar
    Joanne

    Goosebumps reading your reply Lynn. I will be so emotional I am sure, to walk where Jesus walked???!!!! SPEECHLESS! Loved what you had to say about the Bible coming to life and reflections through reading. YES! SO WANT THAT! 😀 Looking forwards to seeking for you too Lynn! 😉

    Reply
  15. Joanne Avatar
    Joanne

    WONDERFUL INSIGHT! Captivating, in depth study from Barb! Her remark on being used by the Holy Spirit really HIT HOME!!! Left my jaw dropped open! = A fresh insight and light shed on my marriage 7 years later!? She reminded me of an instant in my life where someone whispered something to me (who admitted no recollection after the fact) which planted a seed to begin a relationship with an unbeliever whom I later married! Please share this with Barb, Lynn? THANKS!!!

    Reply
  16. Lynn Avatar
    Lynn

    Will do…

    Reply
  17. Denise Avatar
    Denise

    Amazing stuff here, really enjoying this . I love you sis.

    Reply
  18. Susan Avatar
    Susan

    I love your statement about taking my whole adult life to get to the promised land. I think that is true for all unbelievers. I believe that in some ways we are all toddlers. Toddlers love picture books and so the aaronic priestly line becomes a picture for Jesus. Were the Israelites paying attention? Do I pay attention when I decide to color outside of the lines God has given me? I wish the answer was yes.. When the curtain ( the really thick curtain like the thickness of a mans hand) ripped it was a picture that Jesus, the ultimate priest in the order of Mel, make the perfect bridge for us. The picture of what a priest did for us was painted for us by God to get a glimpse of what Jesus our high priest would do for us. But like duh how many times I do take my eyes off Jesus and look to this world for the picture when I now have the real Jesus. God has given me his living word and the pictures are etched on my heart.

    Reply
  19. Heather Passuello Avatar
    Heather Passuello

    Wow, this is so deep… I didn’t comment sooner because I couldn’t answer the serious questions about the Aaronic Priests and Levites, etc. I was going to look it up, but didn’t. (I admit, when it comes to being challenged, I give up.) Barb’s reply made me realize how much I NEED to study, I mean really study God’s Word. I tend to read it and that’s it. Anyway, the only thing I can really relate to here is being thick headed. Knowing God’s glory, seeing Him in everything and yet still trying to do it on my own. I remember before I got married, my pastor was telling me that if I married an unbeliever that it would be really hard. My response: “That’s the only way I know how to learn is the hard way, if it comes easy it’s probably not worth it.” Something to that effect anyway. He looked at me like I was nuts and now I know why. It is hard, but Thank God for his grace and mercy.

    Reply
  20. Darlene Avatar
    Darlene

    I really found Lynn’s questions intriguing but to my embarrassment I could not readily answer them even though I am a minister’s daughter and was raised in the church. I also found Barb’s response fascinating, particularly her mention that the anointing of Christ into the Priesthood took place outside of the Temple because it had been overtaken by sin. Sorry that this takes me off topic but I couldn’t help think about this. This made me think about the prophecies regarding the conditions under which Christ will return. Not only is the Bible clear about the various events that will take place and what culture will be like, it states there will be a great falling away (2 Thes. 2:3) before His return; a falling away of church leadership from teaching sound biblical doctrine and people accepting false doctrine as a replacement (2 Timothy 4:3). So it makes sense to me that Jesus’ first appearance would foreshadow the one to come. By beginning His ministry outside of the Temple because inside there was corruption, “a falling away” among the Jewish leadership and among a people who would not accept Him, we have a picture of what it will be like in our day when He comes again. And in my view that day is upon us.

    Reply
  21. Lynn Avatar
    Lynn

    Amen Darlene… AMEN… Come Lord Jesus, Come. Hugging you my friend. Have a
    great Friday. Lynn

    Reply
  22. Jennifer Avatar
    Jennifer

    “Perhaps: The lessons I need to live in God’s perfect will would likely take eleven days. However, because of my arrogant pride, reality is, it will actually require the majority of my adult life and the challenges of a spiritually mismatched marriage to bring me to the Promised Land.”
    Ouch and ugh. That’s exactly where I’m at. 4 years into a spiritually mismatched marriage, I have finally been able to hear what God has been telling me – “Jennifer, you have a big pride issue”. I’ve been hearing it for 3 years now, but finally getting it. Last night, after another heart breaking incident with my husband, I was able to tell God, I don’t understand what you are doing or why I’m going through this, but I’ve learned enough to know that you are trying to tell me something and trying to make my life better through this. Please teach me, change me, break me, and re-make me into what you want. I’m willing and open. I want to hear you.
    I am learning how to trust God, really trust Him, release control and anger, become humble and submit to the process. God has been faithful to always make good out of these things. Even the most heart-breaking and painful moments have been used to heal me. And in the process, I have also learned to turn from leaning on man (my husband, friends, family, etc.) to turning directly to my Heavenly Father. And when my pride, flesh, anger, etc. are quieted and I am humble and quiet, He ALWAYS speaks or gives me peace.
    Recently, He told me that He isn’t changing my circumstances, the storms around me, because He is changing me in the storm instead. I’ve been too prideful, hard headed, stubborn and rebellious for Him to get my attention any other way. I am so grateful that He is using this spiritually mismatched marriage to make me into His image. I see it all around me, as incredibly hard as it is, that all of the biggest issues in my marriage are being used to heal me and change me when I run to Him. It’s exactly what I’ve needed. Nothing else would have worked. And God knew that. I have wanted to do it my way so many times because it’s almost too much to bear and my flesh rises up, but His way has always brought peace. I love Him and I am thankful.

    Reply
  23. Lynn Avatar
    Lynn

    Amen. Susan… Etched on my heart too my friend.

    Reply

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