The Bloody Truth

It seems like people shy away from blood.


I guess I don't blame them.  Lot's of blood usually means death.  In today's world, it can also mean disease. It's supposed to stay INSIDE the body, right?  (That's usually a good thing).


But what if shed blood is a good thing?  What if there is something powerful in it?


Confused?


OK, let's dig in.


The last two posts I have made a case for the covenant bond of sex in a marriage context.  Most importantly that sex "seals the deal".  The physical attribute to this being blood shed during the first time of intercourse.  This is the crux of what I want to dig into, as this has tremendous meaning.  Something that you have to hear and understand.  It will also change what and how you teach your kids about this often flippant act of "passion".


In my last post we looked at the whole ritual of a Jewish marriage (from a general viewpoint).  One thing that is missing frrom almost every account is, what I consider, the MOST important detail.  


In the ritual, the bride and groom would then be escorted to their bridal chamber (or addition that was built) for around 7 days to physically consummate their marriage.  Two witnesses were standing guard outside until the time period was over and a great celebration and feast ensued.


Two witnesses were standng guard outside.  Did you catch that in the story?  Did you wonder why?  Were they keeping pesky kids away from trying to sneek a peek?  Were they there just as a symbol for an ancient ritual?  Why were they there?  I will tell you.


It roots out of a story in the bible (rarely paid attention to):


Marriage Violations
 13 If a man takes a wife and, after sleeping with her, dislikes her 14 and slanders her and gives her a bad name, saying, “I married this woman, but when I approached her, I did not find proof of her virginity,” 15 then the young woman’s father and mother shall bring to the town elders at the gate proof that she was a virgin. 16 Her father will say to the elders, “I gave my daughter in marriage to this man, but he dislikes her. 17 Now he has slandered her and said, ‘I did not find your daughter to be a virgin.’ But here is the proof of my daughter’s virginity.” Then her parents shall display the cloth before the elders of the town, 18 and the elders shall take the man and punish him. 19 They shall fine him a hundred shekels[b] of silver and give them to the young woman’s father, because this man has given an Israelite virgin a bad name. She shall continue to be his wife; he must not divorce her as long as he lives.

(This comes out of the NIV version of the bible, red lettering is my addition)


In this story, it talks about if a man wants out of the marriage because he claims she isn't a virgin, proof must be given.  A cloth must be brought as evidence of her virginity.  What is on that cloth?  Blood?  What from?  


Well, sex ed 101.  When a young woman is a virgin (and at that time there were no things as tampons), her hymen (a fleshy piece of tissue) is still intact. During intercourse for the first time, it is generally torn and bleeds.    This proof is what they were looking for in this scripture.


The witnesses?  They stood and waited for the joyful consumation of marriage to take place, the covenant bond to happen sealed with blood.  Once the couple appears, the witnesses examine the bed, find the evidence and take it to her mother showing the proof and allowing the wonderful festivities to begin.


Even beyond the evidence of the blood, the significance of the blood cannot be undervalued.   All through scripture blood covenants are held and talked about.


Kay Arthur says this in her book Our Covenant God:
 "..together we explore the Word of God and explore the crimson thread of covenant woven throughout the fabric of God's truth from Genesis to Revelation." pg.15


"..everything God does is based on Covenant." pg. 15


O. Palmer Robertson gives us this insight in The Christ of Covenants:
"When God enters a covenental relationship with men, He sovereignly enters a life-and-death bond.  A convenant is a bond in blood, or a bond of life and death, sovereignly administered." pg. 4


So why are our relationships so different?  Till "we get tired of each other" sounds pretty silly right about now.  


Think about this.  Think HARD. (Dramatic pause)




OK, This is what we now know:


A) God's call to covenant with us is a blood bond of life and death.


B) We are "In Him"(John 15) and to follow His example (more of the bible then I have space).


C) Our relationships, most certainly marriage, should Follow.  This.  Pattern.


Right?


Man, we need to get this.  We need to teach our children this. If we do, we have a generation that will change the face of this culture and world.


Guaranteed.