Wed.’s Devo - The Law of Jealousy

Read: Numbers 4:1-5:31, Mark 23:18-37, Ps. 48:1-14, Pr. 10:26 The Kohathite Clan had the job of taking down the Tabernacle, carrying it and setting it back up every time they moved. Every piece of furniture was first covered with a blue cloth except the brazen altar. It was covered in a purple cloth. I wonder if it was because blue is the color associated with heaven and all the pieces covered with blue are actually replica’s of the pieces in heaven except the brazen altar. It stands for the cross and it will not be in heaven. Then God gave them instructions for different things but the one I find most interesting is the one about the jealous husband. If the husband suspects his wife has been unfaithful to him she is be brought to the priest. She is to let down her hair and hold her reminder offering. The priest then proclaims a curse over her if she is guilty - her belly will swell and her thigh will rot. The priests writes the curse on a piece of paper, washes it in water adds some of the dust from the floor and makes her drink the water. This seems so embarrassing and cruel, but it could be a great blessing. If you were the wife and you were innocent then this would prove your innocence and your reward for going through this is a baby. If you are guilty you are not only in great pain, but you become a curse to your people. What does this mean to us? The woman is the Church and if we have left our first husband, Jesus, and gone after riches, personal recognition, etc., then we are brought before God and have to go through this process. God says time and time again that He is a jealous God. When the woman had to unloose her hair it was a symbol of taking her out of the covering of her husband so her sin and nakedness could be exposed. God will do that with us if we go after another love. Her belly swelling is like being pregnant without a baby. To us that would look like having plans with no substance or life. The thigh rotting was a symbol of the curse alighting on the person. Abraham told his servant to put his hand under Abraham’s thigh and make a vow. It was like the holy place where promises were sworn. Lord, may we be a faithful wife who brings you pleasure.