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God's Will

Doctrine #57: Marriage

Doctrine #57 Read

How did people get married before there was a marriage ceremony? Clearly, the marriage ceremony was not established in the garden of Eden, yet Adam and Eve were married.

Some "christians" say it is better to get married and have a ceremony, with a legal document, because it makes a relationship more binding than two people who have an agreement with each other. Do you believe the governmental law is higher than God's Principles?

Your view of marriage is based on your Definition of marriage, your Definition of Fellowship, how important you feel Words are, Profitability, value, and how much you value the traditions of man.

Do people get legally married while they have a spiritual marriage covenant with another person? If they did, that could be a huge contributing factor in the failure of so many marriages.

Overview

Marriage is begun with one of three ways: vow, exchange of tokens, or intercourse. The covenant is "cut" (established) with sexual intercourse. Marriage is a covenant intended to generate spiritual value to excess (unlimited amount) to all of the persons in community (wife, husband, and God) in order to bring about God's Will on earth as it is in heaven.

Discussion Question

Do you believe the modern church holds the same doctrine on divorce and marriage as God's Word?

Scripture

Genesis 16:1-4

Chapter

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1Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, bare him no children: and she had a handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar.

2And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, Jehovah hath restrained me from bearing; go in, I pray thee, unto my handmaid; it may be that I shall obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.

3And Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar the Egyptian, her handmaid, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to Abram her husband to be his wife.

4And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.

1Now Sarai Abram’s wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar.

2And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.

3And Sarai Abram’s wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife.

4And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.

Commentary

Abram and Hagar were married when Abram had sexual intercourse ("he went in") with Hagar that Sarai was in agreement with. Sex was the effect of the agreement, and marriage was an effect of consensual sex. There were two wives and a husband in this marriage covenant, pretty complex, but all were in agreement.

Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage

Commentary · verses 1-2

Sarai stated that God caused her to be barren. Sarai had a plan of her own.

Commentary · verse 3

Abram and Sarai violated their covenant with God when they tried to bring about God's portion themselves through Hagar. Notice, Abram was married to Hagar and Sarai because he had consensual sexual intercourse with her, even Sarai consented. In fact, this was Sarai's idea. Abram took direction from Sarai, like Adam did with Eve?

Commentary · verse 4

Sarai realized her mistake.

Genesis 24:67

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67And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her. And Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.

67And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.

Commentary

Rebekah became Isaac's wife because of sexual intercourse: "took".

Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage

Commentary · verses 1-67

This was the longest chapter in the Book of Genesis. It served as a model for how God wins souls.

Commentary · verse 67

Once again, consensual sexual intercourse is Marriage. There was no wedding ceremony like what we have today.

Genesis 22-24 focused on Abraham's son Isaac. We saw Abraham demonstrated his faith in God by being willing to slay Isaac. We also saw, in the longest chapter in the Book of Genesis, the process for obtaining a bride for Isaac. We have seen the Book of Genesis covered the first three dispensations in the first eleven chapters. The last thirteen chapters covered Abram/Abraham's portion of the 4th Dispensation.

Genesis 29:21-28

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21And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her.

22And Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast.

23And it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter, and brought her to him; and he went in unto her.

24And Laban gave Zilpah his handmaid unto his daughter Leah for a handmaid.

25And it came to pass in the morning that, behold, it was Leah: and he said to Laban, What is this thou hast done unto me? did not I serve with thee for Rachel? wherefore then hast thou beguiled me?

26And Laban said, It is not so done in our place, to give the younger before the first-born.

27Fulfil the week of this one, and we will give thee the other also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years.

28And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week: and he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife.

21And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her.

22And Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast.

23And it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter, and brought her to him; and he went in unto her.

24And Laban gave unto his daughter Leah Zilpah his maid for an handmaid.

25And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it was Leah: and he said to Laban, What is this thou hast done unto me? did not I serve with thee for Rachel? wherefore then hast thou beguiled me?

26And Laban said, It must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn.

27Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years.

28And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week: and he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also.

Commentary

Again, marriage was an effect of sexual intercourse. There was no ceremony. In this story, there was a feast. The traditional church tells their youth group, "Don't have sex before marriage! It is a sin!" When in all actuality God intended consensual sex to be covenantal. You can't have sex before marriage because consensual sex is marriage.

Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage

Commentary · verses 20-23

There was no ceremony. A wedding is a feast. Consensual sexual intercourse is Marriage.

Commentary · verses 24-25

Notice, Jacob did not know it was Leah until the morning, until after he had intercourse with her. Jacob supplanted Esau. Here, Laban had beguiled Jacob.

Commentary · verses 26-28

Since Jacob didn't know it was Leah that he had intercourse with, it seems that he still had to agree with keeping her as his wife. However, Jacob still wanted Rachel as his wife as well. Rachel was given to Jacob before the next seven years was served. Remember, Jacob needed as much time away from Esau as possible. Also, by staying with Jacob for the rest of the week, Leah agreed to Rachel also becoming Jacob's wife. This was the same as Sarai did with Abram and Hagar. Notice, Jacob married sisters. This would be a violation of God's Law in the next dispensation according to Leviticus 18:18. This was another proof that sin is not the action (WHAT). Sin is the cause (HOW/WHY) and the action is the effect. This was why an action could be sin during one dispensation and not sin during another dispensation.

Exodus 22:16

Chapter

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16And if a man entice a virgin that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely pay a dowry for her to be his wife.

16And if a man entice a maid that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely endow her to be his wife.

Commentary

Notice a virgin can be betrothed through a vow or exchange of tokens. If the virgin was not betrothed, then intercourse equaled marriage.

Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage

Commentary · verses 1-31

This chapter continued the presentation of God's other laws: specifically the interaction between the individual and property, living and not living.

Commentary · verses 16-17

Verses 16-17: The solution to a man enticing a virgin to lie with him.

Commentary · verse 16

Sexual intercourse was marriage if it was consensual.

Deuteronomy 20:7

Chapter

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7And what man is there that hath betrothed a wife, and hath not taken her? let him go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man take her.

7And what man is there that hath betrothed a wife, and hath not taken her? let him go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man take her.

Commentary

This was another example of betrothed virgins. This passage said for the man to consummate the covenant before he went into battle.

Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage

Commentary · verses 1-20

This chapter covered instructions about warfare.

Commentary · verses 5-8

The officers were told to speak to the people and tell any man who had a house that was not dedicated, a vineyard that he had not yet eaten of, a betrothed wife that he had not taken (not completed the Marriage covenant), or any man that was fearful or faint hearted, he should return to his house. Again, it was possible to be betrothed to a wife and not having consummated the covenant. Betrothed meant they exchanged tokens but had not had intercourse.

Deuteronomy 22:28-29

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28If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, that is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found; 29then the man that lay with her shall give unto the damsel’s father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife, because he hath humbled her; he may not put her away all his days.

28If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, which is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found;

29Then the man that lay with her shall give unto the damsel’s father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife; because he hath humbled her, he may not put her away all his days.

Commentary

A virgin not betrothed who has intercourse was married.

Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage

Commentary · verses 1-30

This chapter covered miscellaneous laws.

Commentary · verses 28-29

If a man found a virgin who was not betrothed and laid with her, they were married (consensual sexual intercourse is Marriage). He had to give fifty shekels of silver to her father, and he could not put her away all his days because he had humbled her.

Ephesians 5:31

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31For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh.

31For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage

Commentary · verses 25-31

Verses 25-31: the exhaustive instructions for a husband to his wife.

Commentary · verse 31

Paul referenced Genesis 2:24. Here is what we wrote for that verse:

"Cleave in this verse was the same cleave as used in Deuteronomy 10:20: '"Thou shalt fear Jehovah thy God; him shalt thou serve; and to him shalt thou cleave, and by his name shalt thou swear."' God is superior to us and we cleave to Him. Likewise, women are a superior help to males; women are perfect for males, unless you believe we are equal or greater than God."

Genesis 2:24

Chapter

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24Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

24Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

Commentary

The Bible stated intercourse made the married couple "one flesh". Intercourse is an intentional act. You cannot slip on a banana peel and have intercourse! It is a statement of your will with your body that you are in agreement with that other person. Cleaving is a Doctrine many people do not understand. Cleaving was done by the man. Cleave meant "to serve, to stick to, to join to"

Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage

Commentary · verses 23-24

"Cleave" in this verse was the same cleave as used in Deuteronomy 10:20: "Thou shalt fear Jehovah thy God; him shalt thou serve; and to him shalt thou cleave, and by his name shalt thou swear." God is superior to us and we cleave to Him. Likewise, women are a superior help to males; women are perfect for males, unless you believe we are equal or greater than God. Paul referenced this verse in Ephesians 5:31.

Commentary · verse 24

Man is meant to serve woman. The ultimate way to do this would be through husbanding. Adam's first job as husbandman would apply to Eve as well. Adam's job as her husband would be to help her be fruitful and multiply, to facilitate her purpose and progress.

Matthew 1:18-19

Chapter

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18Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.

19And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.

18Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

19Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.

Commentary

Joseph and Mary were betrothed. The word betrothed in verse 18 was Strong's #3423 mnesteuo - "to give a souvenir"...a token. Mary was found to be pregnant, however, this took place before Joseph had sexual intercourse with Mary. So, Joseph thought Mary was married to someone else. This would make Mary look like an unbeliever, so Joseph, who was righteous, was minded to put her away. If Joseph thought Mary was a believer, he would have divorced her. Joseph did not want to make a public example of her. That was why he would do it privily. Putting away was normally done publicly so that men in the greater community knew she wasn't a believer. Perhaps Joseph thought her pregnancy would serve this same purpose.

Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage

Commentary · verse 18

Joseph and Mary were "betrothed" which was Strong's #3423 mnesteuo - "to give a souvenir," this would be considered an exchange of tokens. Throughout the Old Testament the Marriage Covenant was initiated in one of three ways:

  1. exchange of vows,

  2. exchange of tokens, or

  3. sexual intercourse.

The Marriage Covenant was completed with sexual intercourse. Mary was pregnant of the Holy Spirit. Joseph was holding God's office as Mary's husband because they exchanged tokens.

Commentary · verse 19

Since Mary was pregnant, Joseph would have thought she was actually married to someone else because she must have had sexual intercourse. Since Joseph was righteous and just, he could not marry her unless she had a bill of divorcement. He also knew he could not have sexual intercourse because that would be committing adultery. Joseph could not divorce Mary because he would have thought she was married to someone else and only that man could divorce Mary. However, Joseph could "put away" Mary.

Divorce and Putting Away are not the same thing.

In the Old Testament, "putting away" was an ending of a Marriage Covenant and the removal of one spouse from the greater community because of fornication/unbelief. Joseph was able to put away Mary. He could testify she had committed fornication and must be removed from the greater community. The fact that Joseph did not want to make her a public example was the reason why Joseph would put her away privately. If anything, people tended to be put away publicly so that others in the greater community did not form a Marriage Covenant with this unbeliever. Many sources attempt to say that Joseph was going to do this privately because that was how people were put away, or divorced. The KJV and the ASV correctly translated this passage as "put her away." Many newer translations wrongly used the word "divorce." As we have seen, Joseph could not have divorced Mary, not only because he would not have considered himself her actual husband, but also because he would not have wanted to give her a bill of divorcement so she could marry someone in the greater community.

Deuteronomy 24:1-4

Chapter

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1When a man taketh a wife, and marrieth her, then it shall be, if she find no favor in his eyes, because he hath found some unseemly thing in her, that he shall write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house.

2And when she is departed out of his house, she may go and be another man’s wife.

3And if the latter husband hate her, and write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house; or if the latter husband die, who took her to be his wife; 4her former husband, who sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that is abomination before Jehovah: and thou shalt not cause the land to sin, which Jehovah thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.

1When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house.

2And when she is departed out of his house, she may go and be another man’s wife.

3And if the latter husband hate her, and write her a bill of divorcement, and giveth it in her hand, and sendeth her out of his house; or if the latter husband die, which took her to be his wife;

4Her former husband, which sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that is abomination before the LORD: and thou shalt not cause the land to sin, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.

Commentary

This was the Doctrine of divorce according to the Law. Only a man could divorce a woman. A woman could not divorce a man. We have seen putting away ended a marriage and removed one of the spouses from the greater community because of unbelief (fornication). This passage showed divorce ended the marriage and allowed the woman to remain in community. It even allowed her to get married to someone else in community. The husband was required to give the divorced woman a bill of divorcement. This proved she was not married to another man. Why?

Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage

Commentary · verses 1-22

This chapter covered divorce and other various laws.

Commentary · verse 1

Divorce was lawful. The reason given for a man to divorce his wife was not specific at all: "some unseemly thing", also translated as "some uncleanness." When she was divorced, she could marry another man. She was still in community. Putting away ended the Marriage covenant and removed at least one person from community. Divorce ended the Marriage covenant and kept both spouses in community. "Putting Away" and "Divorce" were two different processes. Either spouse could put the other away because the reason was fornication (unbelief). Only the husband could divorce the wife. It was a definite and objective ending of the covenant, complete with a bill of divorcement. Basically, the husband uncleaved from the wife. The bill of divorcement was her "blood-stained sheet."

Commentary · verse 2

Neither divorce, nor remarriage was a sin. Why do people believe either of these are sins today?

Commentary · verses 3-4

Here was the only sin associated with divorce and remarriage: a former husband could not remarry a previous wife IF she took another husband after their divorce. This law would have caused the husband to make sure he truly wanted to divorce his wife before he went through with it.

Deuteronomy 22:13-21

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13If any man take a wife, and go in unto her, and hate her, 14and lay shameful things to her charge, and bring up an evil name upon her, and say, I took this woman, and when I came nigh to her, I found not in her the tokens of virginity; 15then shall the father of the damsel, and her mother, take and bring forth the tokens of the damsel’s virginity unto the elders of the city in the gate; 16and the damsel’s father shall say unto the elders, I gave my daughter unto this man to wife, and he hateth her; 17and, lo, he hath laid shameful things to her charge, saying, I found not in thy daughter the tokens of virginity; and yet these are the tokens of my daughter’s virginity. And they shall spread the garment before the elders of the city.

18And the elders of that city shall take the man and chastise him; 19and they shall fine him a hundred shekels of silver, and give them unto the father of the damsel, because he hath brought up an evil name upon a virgin of Israel: and she shall be his wife; he may not put her away all his days.

20But if this thing be true, that the tokens of virginity were not found in the damsel; 21then they shall bring out the damsel to the door of her father’s house, and the men of her city shall stone her to death with stones, because she hath wrought folly in Israel, to play the harlot in her father’s house: so shalt thou put away the evil from the midst of thee.

13If any man take a wife, and go in unto her, and hate her,

14And give occasions of speech against her, and bring up an evil name upon her, and say, I took this woman, and when I came to her, I found her not a maid:

15Then shall the father of the damsel, and her mother, take and bring forth the tokens of the damsel’s virginity unto the elders of the city in the gate:

16And the damsel’s father shall say unto the elders, I gave my daughter unto this man to wife, and he hateth her;

17And, lo, he hath given occasions of speech against her, saying, I found not thy daughter a maid; and yet these are the tokens of my daughter’s virginity. And they shall spread the cloth before the elders of the city.

18And the elders of that city shall take that man and chastise him;

19And they shall amerce him in an hundred shekels of silver, and give them unto the father of the damsel, because he hath brought up an evil name upon a virgin of Israel: and she shall be his wife; he may not put her away all his days.

20But if this thing be true, and the tokens of virginity be not found for the damsel:

21Then they shall bring out the damsel to the door of her father’s house, and the men of her city shall stone her with stones that she die: because she hath wrought folly in Israel, to play the whore in her father’s house: so shalt thou put evil away from among you.

Commentary

A virgin could show she wasn't married to another man because she produced a blood-stained sheet when the marriage was consummated. A divorced woman could not physically produce a blood-stained sheet, so the bill of divorcement took the place of the blood-stained sheet. In the above passage, if she didn't produce a blood-stained sheet and the husband accused her, she was killed because she was a fornicator (unbeliever). Notice, the husband couldn't put her away ever after he falsely accused her. Why? The husband's judgment of who was and wasn't a believer had been compromised. Notice, he could still divorce her.

Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage

Commentary · verses 1-30

This chapter covered miscellaneous laws.

Commentary · verses 13-15

The "tokens of the damsel's virginity" was a blood-stained sheet, the proof the wife was a virgin and not married to anyone previously. The wedding was a feast during which the bride and groom had intercourse to prove she was not married to anyone else.

Commentary · verses 16-19

Notice, if the husband falsely accused the wife, he could never put her away. "Put away" meant to end the Marriage covenant by walking away from her. No bill of divorcement, which took the place of the blood-stained sheet. Without the ability to produce a blood-stained sheet (either physically or with a bill of divorcement) the woman would not be able to marry within Israel. She was removed from the community of Israel as a fornicator, an unbeliever. Notice, this passage did not state the husband could not divorce her. However, if he divorced her, another man could marry her. This passage was not about divorce...

Commentary · verses 20-21

Now we see what this passage was really about. The husband was not only attempting to remove her from the community of Israel, he was attempting to get her stoned as an unbeliever. Her inability to produce a blood-stained sheet would be proof she was actually married to another...that she had intercourse (was married) before the "marriage" (to the accusing "husband") in question. The man had unintentionally committed adultery. This section was critical to understanding Jesus' answers to the Pharisees relative to Marriage, divorce, and putting away. Again, the husband could have divorced her according to the Law (see Deuteronomy 24 below)...

Mark 10:10-12

Chapter

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10And in the house the disciples asked him again of this matter.

11And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her: 12and if she herself shall put away her husband, and marry another, she committeth adultery.

10And in the house his disciples asked him again of the same matter.

11And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her.

12And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.

Commentary

A husband or a wife could put away their spouse if their spouse wasn't a believer; if they committed fornication (covenantal worship with another god either directly or through intercourse with an unbeliever). However, if a spouse put away their spouse for any reason other than fornication, God still considered them to be married, and all intercourse with others was adultery. Some versions of the Bible have Jesus saying "divorce" instead of "put away". If Jesus said "divorce", then verse 11 would say the Law results in sin! We saw the Law's Doctrine of divorce allowed for a man to divorce his wife for a reason other than fornication. If Jesus said "divorce", then verse 12 would say that Jesus didn't know the Law! A wife could not divorce her husband. Either of these two wrong statements would make Jesus not the Son of God, if He really said it like these versions of the Bible stated.

We have learned the building blocks for the way God measures a marriage covenant. Why is it important to know God's metrics for marriage? The answer is the meaning of life...

Take a close look at Abram's covenant with God...

Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage

Commentary · verses 10-12

The Disciples also wanted clarification in private. Jesus stated that God saw these believing spouses as still married! If they put each other away and then formed a "marriage covenant" (through sexual intercourse) with another person, God would consider it to be adultery because they were still married to the spouse they "put away."

Putting Away and Divorce are two different Doctrine.

Some versions translated "put away" as "divorce." Look at verses 11 and 12 as if Jesus had said "divorce":

  • Verse 11 would then have "Jesus" stating that those who followed the Law (Deuteronomy 24:1-2) were sinning. Jesus would be stating that following the Law resulted in sin! That would make "Jesus" not the Son of God.
  • Verse 12 would then have "Jesus" stating that women could divorce men under the Law, which meant "Jesus" did not know the Law, which meant "Jesus" was not the Son of God.

During that time, women could "put away" their husband for the cause of unbelief/idolatry. However, women could not divorce their husbands under the Law. Jesus was the Son of God and these verses were properly translated as "put away" instead of "divorce." Remember, divorce and putting away were different. Every version of the "Bible" that uses divorce in place of "putting away" in these verses is presenting a "Jesus" that is not the Son of God! Likewise, Malachi 2:16 had the same translation issues regarding divorce in place of "putting away."

Additional Scripture

Genesis 15:9-18

Chapter

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9And he said unto him, Take me a heifer three years old, and a she-goat three years old, and a ram three years old, and a turtle-dove, and a young pigeon.

10And he took him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each half over against the other: but the birds divided he not.

11And the birds of prey came down upon the carcasses, and Abram drove them away.

12And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, a horror of great darkness fell upon him.

13And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be sojourners in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; 14and also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.

15But thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age.

16And in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet full.

17And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold, a smoking furnace, and a flaming torch that passed between these pieces.

18In that day Jehovah made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:

9And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.

10And he took unto him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each piece one against another: but the birds divided he not.

11And when the fowls came down upon the carcases, Abram drove them away.

12And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him.

13And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;

14And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.

15And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age.

16But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.

17And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces.

18In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:

Swokowski Bible Commentary on this passage

Commentary · verses 9-10

With the exception of the birds, the animals were divided in half.

Commentary · verses 11-13

This event occurred roughly halfway between the Flood and Jehovah leading the children of Israel out of Egypt and through the Red Sea, about 430 years between each of these.

Commentary · verse 14

The Exodus was foretold.

Commentary · verses 15-17

Verses 9-17 symbolized sexual intercourse: God was taking Abram's virginity. A smoking furnace passed between bloody, furry flesh. Notice, consensual sexual intercourse covers all five of the requirements for a covenant that we covered in Genesis 9 with Noah's Covenant:

  1. go through ("passing between") something,

  2. bloodshed,

  3. sharing,

  4. agreement, and

  5. death.

Here, we saw Abram's actions covered all five requirements for a covenant.

Commentary · verse 18

This verse began the 4th Dispensation - Abraham. God's Covenant with Abram allowed God to speak through the patriarchs of one nation in order to be an example to the other nations during this dispensation.

Closing Thoughts

Abram put bloody pieces of heifer, goat, and ram across from each other. Then there was a smoking furnace and a burning lamp that passed between those fur covered bloody pieces of flesh. The covenant was consummated. Marriage is covenantal...

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