ELTBefore Married לקח

ELTBefore Married לקח [∞]

The church is referred to as the *bride of Christ* in Scripture, symbolizing the intimate relationship between Christ and His followers. The Hebrew word for "married" is *לקח* ('laqach'), which not only means "to take" or "to marry" but also carries the meaning of "doctrine." This dual meaning reveals a deeper connection between marriage and teaching in the biblical sense.

In marriage, the husband and wife are united in a covenant, and similarly, the church is united with Christ in a covenant of salvation. The word *laqach* reflects this union, but also points to the idea that marriage represents the oneness that we have with Christ as his Spirit indwells us.

Paul’s Instruction to Women Paul, in his letters, encourages women to learn from their husbands, particularly in the context of the church and its teachings (▸ ± Ephesians 5:22-33 , ▸ ± 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 ). But Paul says he is not speaking of marriage, but of Christ and the church. The church is to receive teaching from Christ, who is the head of the church. Christ, as the "husband" of the church, is the one who instructs and nurtures His bride through His Word.

The Church Learning from Christ Paul says that a wife learns from her husband but speaks of the church. The church learns from Christ, her "husband." This relationship emphasizes the role of Christ as the teacher and the church as the one being taught. As the church is united with Christ in this marriage, it is also bound to Him through His teachings, which guide her in truth and holiness. The church’s learning from Christ is foundational to her sanctification and spiritual growth.

In this way, *laqach* ('לקח') connects the idea of marriage to the concept of doctrine and teaching, revealing the relationship between Christ and the church. The church, as the bride, is united with Christ not only in a covenant of love but also through the learning of His doctrines, which shape and guide her in her walk of faith.

Discussion

Marriage and Teaching

In this lesson, we learned that the Hebrew word for "married" (לקח - "laqach") has two meanings: "to take or marry" and "doctrine" (which means teaching). This shows us that marriage is not only about love and promises but also about learning from each other. In the same way, the church’s relationship with Christ is based on learning from Him. Christ teaches the church how to live and grow spiritually, just like a husband teaches his wife. This idea of learning together is a key part of both marriage and the relationship between the church and Christ.

Learning from Christ

Paul talks about how women should learn from their husbands, but he is really speaking about how the church learns from Christ. Christ, as the "husband" of the church, is the one who teaches and helps the church grow in its faith. This comparison shows that the church’s relationship with Christ is not just about love, but also about learning from His teachings.

The Church as Christ’s Bride

The church is often called the "bride of Christ," meaning it is always learning from Him. Just like students learn from their teachers, the church learns from Christ. This learning is important for spiritual growth and helps the church grow closer to God. By following Christ's teachings, the church is shaped in faith and holiness.

Doctrine and Spiritual Growth

Doctrine, or the teachings of the Bible, is also a vital part of this process. Just as a marriage involves learning and growing together, the church's relationship with Christ involves learning His teachings. This learning helps the church grow spiritually and prepares it for Christ's return.

Conclusion: Growing in Faith

In conclusion, the relationship between Christ and the church is a beautiful picture of marriage, where the church learns from Christ and grows spiritually. Christ, as the "husband," teaches and guides the church, helping it become more like Him. This understanding shows us how important it is to learn from Christ as we grow in our faith.