Israel is the Bride of Messiah

The Original Marriage Covenant

As a Christian I viewed the imagery of the Bride of Christ through the lens of the New Testament, and the Church. When I began to study the original Hebrew my perspective changed. Now I view the entire Bible through the lens of Israel.

I knew about Pentecost, from a Greek word meaning Fifty, the day when the Holy Spirit was given to the Apostles, Exodus 19:1; Acts 2:4. 

Then I learned the Hebrew word, for the same day, is Shavuot, meaning Weeks. The Feast of Weeks is the Third Biblical Month of the year, and the Fourth Appointed time (Moed) of *YHVH; He Exists.

Before the Christian commentary, the Jewish Sages shared their commentary in the Mishnah. Those who bridge this gap will discover that Shavuot is known as the Marriage Anniversary of Israel and God. Not so much the institution, but the example of Covenant Oneness:

Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become One (אֶחָד ECHad) flesh. Genesis 2:24

The Torah is likened to a Ketubah, the Hebrew word for Marriage Contract. This information gave me eyes to see the newly delivered nation of Israel, standing at the foot of Mt. Sinai, as the Bride of *YHVH; He Exists:

Then he took the Writing of the Covenant and read it in the hearing of the people. And they said, “All that יְהוָֹה *YHVH/to Exist (הָיָה Hayah) has spoken we will Do, and we will Obey (שָׁמַע Shema’a).” Exodus 24:7

The Seven Appointed Times of *YHVH

Are His Appointed Times Jewish?

The Bible shows us why the lineage of Judah, the land of Judea, and the Jewish people, are all that remains of the House of Israel. As the Southern Kingdom of Israel, the Jewish people await Israel’s Redeemer:

Thus says יְהוָֹה *YHVH, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, יְהוָֹה *YHVH of Hosts: “I am the First and I am the Last; apart from Me there is no god. Isaiah 44:6

“For your Husband is your Maker, Whose Name is יְהוָֹה *YHVH of Hosts; And your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel, Who is called the God of all the earth.” Isaiah 54:5 

The God of all the earth has revealed His purpose from creation. Beginning with His Appointed Times (Moedim):

And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for Seasons (מ֣וֹעֲדִ֔ים Moedim), and for days and years, Genesis 1:14

If we count backwards Fifty Days, it bring us to the First Biblical Month, and the First Appointed Time (Moed) of He Exists (*YHVH).

The Messiah’s Death occurred on the First Moed; the Feast of Passover. He was in the Grave during the Week of Unleavened Bread. He Rose from the dead on the Third Day, the day of the Sheaf Wave Offering.

This is the day we begin the Fifty Day Count to Pentecost/Shavuot:

“You shall Count Seven full Weeks from the day after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the Sheaf of the Wave Offering. You shall Count Fifty Days to the day after the Seventh Sabbath. Then you shall Present a Grain Offering of New Grain to יְהוָֹה *YHVH. Leviticus 23:15

The day after the Seventh Sabbath is the Fiftieth Day. Which connects us to the Third Biblical Month, the Feast of Weeks (Shavuot), when the First-fruits of the Wheat Harvest are offered.

What is the connection between the Wave Offering, a Sheaf of Barley, and the First-fruits of the Wheat Harvest?

The New Testament reveals the Resurrection of the Messiah as the First-fruits of the Dead, 1 Corinthians 15:20.

We are also told the Wheat Field represents the World. All obedience, including the First-fruits offering, is rewarded with the Blessings of *YHVH, Matthew 13:38; Deuteronomy 28:8; Proverbs 3:9…

There is no coincidence, the giving of the Torah at Shavuot is the same day as Pentecost, the giving of the Holy Spirit.

With a Greek Jesus in mind, it never even occurred to me that He was Jewish. Yet we can trace His lineage directly to Judah, and the Messianic prophecy of the Scepter that will not depart… until Shiloh comes, and to Him shall be the obedience of the peoples, Genesis 49:10; Matthew 1:1…

The Aramaic, Hebrew, speaking Jesus would have been called by His Aramaic name, Yeshua’a, meaning Salvation. A shortened version of His full Hebrew Name, יְהוֹשׁוּעַ Yehoshua’a, meaning *YHVH Is Salvation.

Who is Shiloh?

Shiloh is an epithet for the unique prophesy of the Seed, or Offspring. First prophesied as the Seed of the Woman (Israel), who will Victoriously Crush the Head of the Serpent/Death, Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 25:8; 1 Corinthians 15:54…

The unique Seed, singular, prophesy is given to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The Eternal Messiah, the Lamb, the Bridegroom at His Marriage Feast in His Heavenly Kingdom. All for the Reconciliation, and Redemption, of His Bride, Israel, Galatians 3:16; Matthew 9:15; Ephesians 1:7…

What about the Church, or for that matter, any religion that has been added in an attempt to replace Israel?

Whether we know it or not, we will be joined to the Covenant of Israel, by the Blood of Messiah. Like Sheep, we may be in other Sheepfolds, but we will Hear His Voice and follow Him. Then there will be One Flock (Israel), and One Shephard, Ephesians 2:12,13; John 10:16.

For example, Church comes form the Greek word, Ekklésia, a compound of ek; from out of, and kaleó; I called. A more accurate interpretation could have been, the Called Out Ones:

…so that He might present the Church (Ekklésia) to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be Holy and Without Blemish. Ephesians 5:27; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Colossians 1:22…

Maybe if the Church had been the Called Out Ones, we would have made the connection with Israel. The only people who have been instructed to be Holy, or Set-apart, that we should be His:

You (Israel) shall be Holy to Me, for I *YHVH am Holy and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be Mine. Leviticus 20:26; Isaiah 41:8, 9

The Everlasting Torah

Our Creator Is, Was, and Will Be, Faithful to His Everlasting Torah. Israel, on the other hand, became increasingly Unfaithful. Her Idolatry is likened to Adultery, and she was eventually Sent Away (שָׁלַח ShalaCH), and Cut Off, or Divorced (כְּרִיתוּת Keritut – כָּרַת Karat), Leviticus 26:44; Jeremiah 3:8.

Behind the door and the doorpost you have set up your memorial; for, Deserting Me, you have uncovered your bed, you have gone up to it, you have made it wide; and you have made a Covenant for yourself with them, you have loved their bed, you have looked on nakedness. Isaiah 57:8

Israel, deserting her Covenant with *YHVH, has made a Covenant with them.

If you know the Torah, then you know the Divorce Law. A husband is not permitted to re-marry his Divorced wife, because she is Defiled by her Covenant with another. Even if the other Divorces her, or Dies, Deuteronomy 24:2 – 4.

By His own Word, there is no hope of reconciliation with physical Israel. Unless we have eyes to see, and ears to hear, His purpose in allowing Death into the world, Jeremiah 3:1.

Death came into the world through the Sin, or disobedience, of one man. So in Adam All Die, but in Messiah All will be made Alive. The Bride is Reconciled to the Bridegroom in His Death, Genesis 2:17; Romans 5:12-18; 1 Corinthians 15:22; Colossians 1:22.

The Messiah revealed many Heavenly Realities by speaking in Parables. He described His Heavenly Kingdom by likening it to Ten Virgins, Matthew 25:1.

What is the connection between His Kingdom and Ten Virgins? It helps to know the Hebrew perspective about the number Ten. A Tenth, or Tithe, represents the Whole, including a congregation.

A little Biblical history reminds us there were Ten Tribes of Israel who divided into the Northern Kingdom of Israel. It was about 930 B.C. when King Solomon’s son reigned over the Southern Kingdom of Israel.

But I will take the Kingdom out of his (King Solomon) son’s (Rehoboam) hand and will give it to you (Jeroboam), Ten Tribes. 1 Kings 11:35 – 2 Kings 17:6

The Northern tribes were eventually carried away by the Assyrians, and scattered among the nations. With a prophesy giving them hope of a future return, Ezekiel 11:16; 37:16,17.

If the Ten Virgins represent the Ten Lost, or Divorced, Tribes of Israel, why did only Five make it into the Wedding Feast?

The Five are called Wise, because they had Oil for their Lamps, Matthew 25:1.

For the Commandment is a Lamp and the תּוֹרָה Torah a Light, and the Reproofs of Correction are the Way of Life, Proverbs 6:23

We can have a Lamp (Commandment), but without Torah we have no Oil (the Spirit of *YHVH), or Light; the Reproofs of Correction guide us in the Way of Life (His Messiah), 1 Samuel 16:13; Exodus 27:20; 35:8; John 8:55.

The Figurative Examples continue. The Bridegroom (the Risen Messiah) tarried until All Ten Virgins (a 10th represents the whole) Fell Asleep (Death), Matthew 25:5.

Sleep is a Biblical metaphor for Death. The Bridegroom is also likened to the Lamb who was Slain. He Died to Bear our Sin, and Rose on the Third day as a Life-giving Spirit, John 1:29: Revelation 5:12; 1 Corinthians 15:4, 45.

…so Messiah, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to bring Salvation to those who are waiting for Him. Hebrews 9:28

Like the Ten Virgins we are still waiting for the Bridegroom to come. This is why we are Baptized into His Death. We proclaim His Death until He Comes, Remembering the Bread is His Body, and the Cup is the New (Life-giving Spirit) Covenant, in His Blood, 1 Corinthians 11:24, 25:

For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you Proclaim the Lord’s Death until He comes. 1 Corinthians 11:26

…having been Buried with Him in Baptism, in which you were also Raised with Him through faith in the powerful working of God, who Raised Him from the Dead. Colossians 2:12

We were therefore Buried with Him through Baptism into Death, in order that, just as Christ was Raised from the Dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in Newness of Life. Romans 6:4

The Five Foolish Virgins do finally arrived at the Marriage Feast, but the Door is Closed. They said Lord, Lord, open the Door for us, but the Bridegroom replied, I do Not Know you, Matthew 25:12

To Know Him is the Keep His Commandments

“By this we can be sure that we have come to Know Him, if we Keep His Commandments,” 1 John 3:22; 5:3; John 14:15;15:10; Revelation 12:17; 14:12.

To Know, יָדַע Yada’a, is a Covenant term. When Adam Knew, יָדַע Yada’a, Eve, she conceived Cain, Genesis 4:1.

The 5 Foolish Virgins were Not Known because they did Not Keep His Commandments:

Not everyone who says to Me Lord, Lord, will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, only the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. Matthew 7:21

And then will I declare to them, ‘I never Knew you; depart from me, you workers of Lawlessness.’ Matthew 7:23

To be Lawless is to be Torahless.

The Marriage theme continues throughout the Bible. The Bride will be Redeemed from Death:

“For as a young man Marries (בָּעַל Ba’al) a young woman, so your sons will Marry (בָּעַל Ba’al) you; and as a Groom (חָתָן CHatan) rejoices over his Bride (כַּלָה Kallah), so your God (אֱלהִים Elohim) will rejoice over you.” Isaiah 62:5 

“I will Betroth you to Me Forever (עוֹלָם Olam); Yes, I will Betroth you to Me in Righteousness (צֶדֶק Tzedek) and in Justice (מִשְׁפָט Mishpat) In Loving Kindness (חֵסֵד CHesed) and in Compassion (רַחַם RaCHam), I will Betroth you to Me in Faithfulness (אֱמוּנָה Emunah). Then you will Know (יָדַע Yada’a) יְהוָֹה *YHVH/to Exist (הָיָה Hayah).” Hosea 2:19, 20

“…I will Redeem them from Death…” Hosea 13:14

The book of Ruth is read at Shavuot as an archetype of Israel’s Kinsman Redeemer, Ruth 4:14.

The book of Revelation points to the Heavenly Marriage of the Lamb. His Bride is Set-apart by Righteous Actions, and those who are invited are Blessed:

Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the Marriage of the Lamb has come, and His Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to array herself with fine linen, radiant and pure”— for the Fine Linen is the Righteous Actions of the Set-apart.

And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the Marriage Feast of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”  Revelation 19:7, 8, 9

How are we Redeemed from Death?

Israel is Redeemed from Death to be His Holy, Set-apart, Faithful, Bride who Remembers, Keeps Watch Over, Hears and Does, the Commandments, 1 Peter 1:16; 1 John 2:3; Leviticus 19:2; Deuteronomy 28:9…

He answered, “I was sent only to the Lost Sheep of the House of Israel.” Matthew 15:24; Jeremiah 50:6

Every 1st Century writer of the letters that were compiled into a New Testament, knew only the Torah as the Everlasting, Complete, Living and Active, Righteous, Holy and Good, Word that Stands Forever.

The entire Bible is about Israel, from beginning to end. There is no adding, any new religion, or taking away, Israel, from the Torah, Deuteronomy 12:32.

For truly, I (Messiah) say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law (Torah) until all is accomplished. Matthew 5:18.

Until we Join and Cleave to the Bride, the House of Jacob/Israel, we are the Foreigner:

For יְהוָֹה *YHVH will have Compassion on Jacob; once again He will choose Israel and settle them in their own land. The Foreigner will Join (לָוָה Lavah) them and Cleave (סָפַח SaphaCH) to the House of Jacob. Isaiah 14:1

Salvation for the Foreigners, is to join Israel, to Serve, and Love, the Name of *YHVH, and to Keep the Sabbath, and Hold Fast to His Covenant, Isaiah 56:1– 8.

And so All Israel will be Saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will remove godlessness from Jacob (Israel). And this is My Covenant with them, when I take away their Sins.” Romans 11:26; Isaiah 27:9; 45:17; 59:20, 21; 27:9; Jeremiah 31:33, 34.

The Everlasting Covenant is All inclusive. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel, received the unique promise of a Seed, or Offspring, who will Bless All Nations, Acts 3:25; Galatians 3:8,16; Genesis 12:3; 22:18.

The ultimate Salvation of *YHVH will Bless All Nations. When the Bride is Resurrected, she is Born Again, in the Bridegroom’s Life-giving Spirit, 1 Corinthians 15:45: Romans 6:5; 1 Peter 1:23.

And after I have plucked them up, I will again have Compassion on them, and I will bring them again each to his inheritance and each to his land. Jeremiah 12:15

In closing, the Bride is Reconciled to her Bridegroom in His Death. Then All Israel will be Saved, when the Bride is Redeemed from Death, by the Bridegroom’s Resurrected, Life–giving Spirit:

For if, while we were enemies, we were Reconciled to God through the Death of His Son, then how much more, having been Reconciled, will we be Saved by His Life! Romans 5:10

And in this way All Israel will be Saved, as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”; Romans 11:26; Isaiah 45:17.

The same Torah will be Renewed as the Ketubah, Marriage Contract, on the same Anniversary Date. The only thing different is that it will not be written on Stone. This time, the Holy Spirit will write the Torah on their Hearts:

For this is the Covenant that I will make with the House of Israel after those days, declares *YHVH: I will put My Torah within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Jeremiah 31:33; Hebrews 8:10

*Yah is the short, and undisputed, pronunciation of יְהוָֹה YHVH, as in Hallelu-Yah!