Church and Israel

How Many Wives Are There?

Q. In your Isaiah study, you quoted:

“Do not be afraid; you will not suffer shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood. For your Maker is your husband— the LORD Almighty is his name—the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth. The LORD will call you back as if you were a wife deserted and distressed in spirit— a wife who married young, only to be rejected,” says your God. (Isaiah 54:4-6)

I thought only the Church was the Bride of Christ. Does this also apply to Israel?

A. The Church is called the virgin bride of Christ, while Israel is referred to as the adulterous wife of God. These are euphemisms meant to symbolize the difference between the Old Covenant, which was based on works, with the New covenant, which is based on Grace.

Under the Old covenant, God was forced to divorce Israel because of spiritual adultery. (Jeremiah 3:8) Though the Church is no better behaved, the cross allows the Lord to see us as if we’ve never sinned. (Ephes. 5:25-27) Once Israel recognizes their Messiah, the same grace will apply and like Isaiah 54:4-6 says the estrangement will end.

Website: www.gracethrufaith.com