S) "14 if a spirit of jealousy comes over him and he is jealous of his wife when she has defiled herself, or if a spirit of jealousy comes over him and he is jealous of his wife when she has not defiled herself,"
Numbers 5:14 (NASB)
O) Most of this chapter is about what to do after this verse is in effect, so to speak. As Old Testament Law, the rest of the chapter isn't exactly applicable, since Jesus fulfilled the Law, but this verse still holds a heavy warning. Certainly, if a man's wife is adulterous, he has cause to be jealous. What he does in response to that jealousy is fulfilled differently now, because Jesus fulfilled the Law (see link above). But the real warning, I think, is in the second half of this verse where a spirit of jealousy comes over a man, being jealous of his wife when she is innocent. The term, "spirit of jealousy" shows us that there is an external source to this suspicion. In the previous verse (Numbers 5:13), especially the end of it, it's made clear that the husband wouldn't have a reasonable suspicion. So, we're left with a pretty clear case that there is an outside influence toward an unjustified suspicion. There is a spiritual enemy against marriage.
A) One of the concepts that is lost, even in churches today, is the idea of spiritual warfare. Because our worldview has become so wrought by the scientific community, I think we've become deceived about the very existence of a spiritual world, let alone its influence on us. I don't want to overreact, because we have victory in Jesus's name. But neither do I want to neglect an area where I can fight, in prayer, to protect my marriage and the marriages of people I love.
P) Father, first I ask that You protect the actual fidelity of my marriage. Protect the fidelity of the marriages of my brother, in-laws, other family and friends that I know and love. Also, LORD, protect us each, from a spirit of jealousy that would sabotage any of these marriages. Marriage is a holy gift, a blessed example of smallest possible church, and a shadow of the relational covenant we have with You. Keep together what You have joined, and let no man or spirit separate, according to Your word in Matthew 19:6. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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