Marriage as a symbol, God as the husband of Israel
Isa. 54:5; Jer. 3:14; Hos. 2:16, 19-20
Isa. 54:5 (NKJV) For your Maker [is] your husband, The LORD of hosts [is] His name; And your Redeemer [is] the Holy One of Israel; He is called the God of the whole earth.
Jer. 3:14 (NKJV) "Return, O backsliding children," says the LORD; "for I am married to you. I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion."
Hos. 2:16, 19-20 (NKJV) "And it shall be, in that day," Says the LORD, "[That] you will call Me 'My Husband,' And no longer call Me 'My Master,'.... [19] "I will betroth you to Me forever; Yes, I will betroth you to Me In righteousness and justice, In lovingkindness and mercy; [20] I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness, And you shall know the LORD."
God uses marriage as an illustration of His love relationship with Israel and of the love of Jesus for the church. Now the church is betrothed to Jesus (2 Cor. 11:2). When the new heaven is created, Jesus as the bridegroom will consummate the marriage of His bride in a heavenly wedding (Rev. 19:7).
God wants us to remain faithful to Him as our divine appointment draws near. Unfaithfulness to Him is the same as adultery; usually this form of unfaithfulness was idolatry. God promises judgment for those who continue in unfaithfulness. When the Assyrians destroyed the adulterous northern kingdom of Israel, the Bible called it "divorce." When the adulterous nation of Judah was carried away into exile, however, this was a temporary separation rather than divorce, because God took them back again as His wife.
