Proverbs 6:34
|
For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.
|
Marriage is an intimate and sacred relationship. Adultery is a horrible violation of it. Jealous rage and unmerciful vengeance are natural consequences of this heinous sin. The Preacher soberly warns all men of this further trouble for touching another man's wife.
Solomon is at the end of a lengthy warning to his son against adultery (6:20-35). He adds a practical argument that the husband of the woman will be outraged at the offence. Not only does divine justice condemn the horrible sin, so do the laws of men and nature.
Marriage is a very personal, intimate, and possessive relationship. A violation of it causes enormous pain and loss. For this reason, the blessed God made capital punishment the judgment for this sin. Both the adulterer and adulteress were put to death (Lev 20:10).
Marital jealousy is generally not sin; it is part of love and possession. Marriage is based on love and possession. Love includes jealousy. Solomon said, "Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame" (Song 8:6).
Envy is horrible. It is worse than anger or wrath (27:4). A man does not want to share his wife's body or heart. When another man takes either, the envy is outrageous. A thief may find mercy from men, but not the adulterer (6:30-33). To steal to satisfy hunger is understandable, but to touch another man's wife is inexcusable. Young man, Flee! Now!
The perfect law of God provided for jealous husbands (Num 5:11-31). If a man had any jealous worries about his wife, he could take her to the priests for the test of jealousy. If she were guilty, the prescribed potion would cause her to rot on the spot, beginning at her genitals. If she were innocent, she would be cleared by divine revelation and conceive.
The LORD, espousing Israel to be His bride, declared His name was Jealous, and He was a jealous God (Ex 34:14). The first commandment is for us to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, and might (Deut 6:4-5). Any infatuation with other things caused His jealousy to burn, for He will not share our affections with another (Deut 32:16; Ps 78:58).
The Lord Jesus Christ is our bridegroom, and He demands our total affection (Luke 14:26). All other relationships must be sacrificed, if they conflict with our love for Him. He considers any friendship with the world as spiritual adultery against Him (Jas 4:4). Let this sober classification keep us trembling before Him with pure and single hearts.
www.letgodbetrue.com
