In the Bible, the phrase “wife of your youth” refers to the wife whom you married when you were young, someone you have been with for many years. This concept emphasizes the covenant of marriage, which is intended to be permanent. According to biblical teachings, once you are married, you are expected to remain committed to that spouse for life. The Bible specifically addresses this idea in several passages: Malachi 2:14 – “But you say, ‘Why does he not?’ Because the LORD was witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been faithless, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant.” Proverbs 5:18 – “Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth.” These verses emphasize the importance of faithfulness to the wife of your youth, the one with whom you entered into a covenant of marriage. This is a lifelong commitment, and abandoning that spouse for another is considered a grave sin. Theological Understanding: In the biblical context, “wife of your youth” is not referring to a girlfriend or boyfriend, as we understand those terms in modern relationships. The Bible condemns premarital relationships and sexual relationships outside the bond of marriage. Any romantic relationship should be within the bounds of marriage, as instructed in Hebrews 13:4 – “Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled; for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.” The teaching is clear: if you marry someone as a young person, that person remains your spouse throughout your life. Even if the marriage becomes difficult or less emotionally fulfilling, you are still bound by the covenant you made before God. Abandoning your spouse, the one you married in your youth, and seeking another partner is considered sinful, as it leads to adultery (Matthew 19:9). Conclusion: The “wife of your youth” refers to the wife you marry and commit to in a lifelong covenant. It is not a casual term for a girlfriend or a fleeting romantic relationship. According to the Bible, marriage is sacred and intended to last for life. Premarital relationships and breaking the marriage covenant are condemned. This underscores the importance of commitment, loyalty, and faithfulness in marriage, which is central to God’s design for human relationshipsersation helpful so far?
This question often arises due to an apparent time discrepancy between Mark and John regarding the crucifixion of Jesus. Let us look closely at the relevant passages: Mark 15:24–25 (ESV) “And they crucified him and divided his garments among them, casting lots for them, to decide what each should take. And it was the third hour when they crucified him.” According to Mark, Jesus was crucified at the third hour, which corresponds to 9:00 a.m. using the Jewish method of timekeeping, where the day begins at sunrise (approximately 6:00 a.m.). John 19:14 (ESV) “Now it was the day of Preparation of the Passover. It was about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews, ‘Behold your King!’” John seems to indicate that Jesus was still on trial before Pilate at about the sixth hour, which appears to contradict Mark’s account. However, a closer analysis shows that this is not a contradiction but a matter of differing timekeeping systems. Understanding the Timekeeping Systems Jewish Time (used by Mark):The day begins at sunrise (around 6:00 a.m.). 1st hour = 7:00 a.m. 3rd hour = 9:00 a.m. 6th hour = 12:00 noon 9th hour = 3:00 p.m. Roman Time (likely used by John):The day begins at midnight, like our modern system. 6th hour = 6:00 a.m. 9th hour = 9:00 a.m. 12th hour = 12:00 noon John’s Gospel was likely written later and intended for a broader Greco-Roman audience. Therefore, John appears to use Roman time, placing Jesus’ appearance before Pilate around 6:00 a.m., after a night of trials and interrogation. This timing aligns well with Mark’s account: By 9:00 a.m. (the third hour), as Mark states, Jesus was already on the cross. Before that, Jesus had been presented before Pilate at around 6:00 a.m., as John notes. Luke 23:44–46 (ESV) – The Death of Jesus “It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!’ And having said this he breathed his last.” This passage from Luke confirms: From noon (sixth hour) to 3:00 p.m. (ninth hour), darkness covered the land. Jesus died around 3:00 p.m., fulfilling prophetic symbolism (see Amos 8:9–10, Isaiah 53). Conclusion: No Contradiction—Only Different Clocks When we recognize the use of different timekeeping systems: John’s sixth hour (Roman time) = 6:00 a.m. — Jesus is still before Pilate. Mark’s third hour (Jewish time) = 9:00 a.m. — Jesus is crucified. The Gospels are consistent when understood in their historical and cultural context. Jesus was crucified around 9:00 a.m., darkness fell at noon, and He died at 3:00 p.m. Theological Significance Jesus’ crucifixion at Passover fulfills the imagery of the Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7, Exodus 12). The darkness and tearing of the temple veil symbolize judgment and access to God through Christ (Hebrews 10:19–20). The specific timing fulfills God’s sovereign plan and aligns with Messianic prophecy, such as Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53. Final Challenge: Have you received Jesus as Lord and Savior? The Bible declares that He is coming again (Revelation 22:12), and He will return for a people who are born again and walking in holiness (John 3:3, Hebrews 12:14). Salvation is a free gift (Ephesians 2:8–9), but it must be received by faith and repentance. Will you be among the few who will meet Him in the clouds (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17)? The choice is yours—eternal life or eternal separation. Today is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2). Maranatha — the Lord is coming!
No matter how much people offend you or how many enemies you have, God will never hate them the way you do.The way you see them is different from the way God sees them. You may wish for their destruction, but God desires their salvation. You may long for calamity to befall them, yet the Lord wishes they would repent and avoid disaster. When you truly understand God’s nature, you will stop wasting time wishing evil on your enemies. Instead, you will pray that the Lord grants them the grace to repent so that their harm will not reach you. If you pray for God to kill your enemies, you are wasting your time. God knew they would become your enemies before they were even born, and He created them anyway. If He were as angry with them as you are, He would have destroyed them long ago—or not created them at all.Their very existence means they are part of God’s sovereign plan, and He created them because He loves them (John 3:16). Why God Desires Repentance, Not Destruction These are hard words, but they are true. If you hate someone for gossiping about you and wish God would kill them, your prayer will not prevail. Instead, pray that God grants them a heart of repentance—that aligns with His will. When someone does evil to you and you pray for their death, remember Ezekiel 18:23:“Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign LORD. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?” And 2 Peter 3:9 affirms:“He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” Even when someone has stolen your most valuable possession, the prayer that pleases God is:“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). When someone seeks your harm through witchcraft, you might quote Exodus 22:18—“You shall not permit a sorceress to live”—and pray for their death. But consider: do you also apply Deuteronomy 22:22, which commands the stoning of adulterers, when you catch someone in adultery? The same God who spoke one command also spoke the other. Why apply one verse and ignore the other? The New Covenant Perspective We must understand that God’s dealings under the Old Covenant differ from His dealings under the New Covenant.In the Old Testament, because of the hardness of human hearts, the Israelites were permitted to execute adulterers, idolaters, witches, and blasphemers, and to exclude lepers.But this was not God’s ultimate plan. The fullness of God’s will was revealed in Jesus Christ, who said: Matthew 5:21–22 – “You have heard that it was said… ‘You shall not murder,’… But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment.” Matthew 5:38–39 – “You have heard… ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.” Matthew 5:43–45 – “You have heard… ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” Therefore, in Christianity there is no “eye for an eye,” no stoning of adulterers, and no killing of witches. We are not permitted to hate our enemies. Our prayer should be that God protects us from their harm, frustrates their evil plans, and ultimately leads them to repentance. Becoming Like Our Father We cannot teach God to do evil—He remains perfect. He causes His sun to shine on both the evil and the good. Instead, God calls us to reflect His character:“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36). Jesus concluded:Matthew 5:46–48 –“If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?… And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others?… Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” A Call to Salvation The Lord bless us all.If you have not yet received Jesus, think carefully—what are you waiting for? The Gospel is not just a story for entertainment; it is a testimony. Each time you hear it, it is recorded that you have heard. To ignore it is to put yourself in eternal danger. Receive Christ into your life today. Do not wait for tomorrow, for “you do not know what a day may bring forth” (Proverbs 27:1).Seek baptism by full immersion (John 3:23) in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38). Then the Holy Spirit will come upon you to guide you into all truth (John 16:13). Maranatha!