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

In this lesson, we learned that the word "married" in Hebrew (לקח - "laqach") has two important meanings: "to take or marry" and "doctrine" (which means teaching). This helps us understand that marriage isn't just about love and promises, but also about learning from each other. Now, let's think about how this applies to the church and Christ:

Marriage as Learning Together: The idea that marriage is not only about love but also about teaching is really interesting. Just like in a marriage where both people learn from each other and grow together, the church learns from Christ. Christ teaches the church how to live and grow spiritually, just like a husband teaches his wife. Why do you think learning is an important part of a marriage or any close relationship?

Paul's Teachings About Learning: Paul talks about how women should learn from their husbands, but he’s really talking about how the church learns from Christ. This is a special way of thinking about marriage. Christ is like the "husband" of the church, and He is the one teaching and helping the church grow in faith. How can we learn from Christ today, just like the church learns from Him?

The Church as a Learner: The church is called the "bride of Christ," and this means that the church is always learning from Christ. Think about how students learn from teachers. Christ is like the teacher, and the church is like the student. How do you think the church can grow spiritually by learning from Christ's teachings?

Doctrine and Spiritual Growth: Doctrine means the teachings of the Bible, and they are important for helping the church grow spiritually. Just like how a marriage involves learning and growing together, our relationship with Christ also helps us grow spiritually when we learn His teachings. What are some of the things that you think the church learns from Christ’s teachings?

The Symbol of Christ as the Husband: Christ is called the "husband" of the church, and the church is His "bride." This is a beautiful way of showing how close the relationship between Christ and His church is. Christ loves the church and wants to teach and guide it. How does this special relationship between Christ and the church remind you of the importance of learning in our relationship with God?