Numbers 5
In the “trial of jealousy” we have had shadowed forth Israel brought to trial by Jehovah, her true Husband. He had watched over her with a jealous love, but time and again she had provoked Him to jealousy in departing from Him. How patient He had been with her, calling’ her again and again to repentance. But finally He had to bring her to this trial (Psalm 109:4,5,16-184For my love they are my adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer. 5And they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love. (Psalm 109:4‑5)
16Because that he remembered not to show mercy, but persecuted the poor and needy man, that he might even slay the broken in heart. 17As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him: as he delighted not in blessing, so let it be far from him. 18As he clothed himself with cursing like as with his garment, so let it come into his bowels like water, and like oil into his bones. (Psalm 109:16‑18)) and she was found guilty. Her sin was not blotted out in the trial and Israel to this day is under the curse, the penalty for her unfaithfulness. She has been judged as a woman that breaks wedlock (Ezek. 16:33And say, Thus saith the Lord God unto Jerusalem; Thy birth and thy nativity is of the land of Canaan; thy father was an Amorite, and thy mother an Hittite. (Ezekiel 16:3)).
Yet how blessed to think of the grace that will rise above all Israel’s sin and unfaithfulness, in virtue of the Lord Jesus’ prayer on the cross, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:3434Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. (Luke 23:34)). The convicted and unfaithful wife in the coming day will stand acquitted through the work of redemption that He has wrought for her upon the cross and she will be made free, and as a joyful mother of children (Isa. 54:11Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the Lord. (Isaiah 54:1)).
But in this trial of jealousy we see not only Israel but Christendom. The marriage supper of the Lamb has not yet taken place, but the church is seen as espoused to Christ, and so the type applies here also.
The professing church has given herself over to another — the world — and her sorrowful history corresponds with that of Israel. Long has the Lord borne with her unfaithfulness. “I gave her space to repent... and she repented not.” Rev. 2:2121And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. (Revelation 2:21). How solemn the doom that hangs over guilty Christendom! The worldly, unfaithful, and apostate church will be destroyed. Her judgment stands upon the pages of Holy Scripture (Rev. 17, 18). “Her sins have reached unto heaven,” and “strong is the Lord God who judgeth her” (Rev. 18:88Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her. (Revelation 18:8)).
The true Church, however, composed of all believers, before that time will be caught up to heaven to be with Christ, as the heavenly Bride, forever one with Him.
But the principles here apply also to each of us individually. The Lord is jealous over us with a fervent love. His love does not admit of any question or suspicion. “I have loved you with an everlasting love,” He says, and He loves us unto the end (John 13:11Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. (John 13:1)), but we are accounted responsible to Him for the time we are left down here. At the judgment seat of Christ there will be a reward for everything that is done for Him, while there will be loss according to our unfaithfulness. May His love stir up our hearts to more devotedness to Him, the faithful and true.
In this chapter we can see how the Lord not only orders the removal of all known evil from the camp, but in the trial of jealousy He has made the way for the removal of every suspicion of evil. To carry suspicion in the heart is a terrible thing, and is something we ought to watch against. When it involves those near and dear to us, it destroys the sweetest joys of love and friendship.
Still there might be a time when one might honestly suspect evil but be unable to prove it. Then to be suspected of evil is terribly hard to bear, but if such a circumstance is allowed to come into one’s life, it is good for one to patiently wait on the Lord and let Him vindicate him. To resent being tried shows the pride of heart and the flesh at work. And oftentimes a hasty and feverish effort to deny a thing is an indication of guilt, though not always so. If one is willing to be thoroughly tested in the presence of the Lord, to allow the searching power of His Word — the water of death — to have its way, He will take his part, and if innocent He will vindicate him, while blessing and fruitfulness will be a sure result.
How happy if like David one can say, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psa. 139:23,2423Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalm 139:23‑24).
ML-04/22/1973