Covenant of marriage/covering

When Satan could not destroy covenant relationship because of its very nature, he used ignorance of covenant nature to destroy its effectiveness in people's lives. There is such strength in the nature of covenant even when employed by two human beings that when that covenant is instigated and blessed by and even participated in by the Almighty Power and Omnipresence and Omniscience of Eternal Jehovah, you have tremendous energy present. The covering in marriage was and is a very viable force even though unseen and not always sensed. So let us look at this subject of covering.

The Patriarchs of the first 2000 years were a covering that protected the inheritance of blessing and teaching of their descendents. They passed on a birthrite that was very valuable and Jacob saw it as a spiritual inheritance and he valued it. As I have studied the effects of covering, I realize God gives the covering that protects what He is doing at the time and protects the revelation of the projected action. God is always moving mankind forward toward His goal. The cultures of the past and the civilization we have inherited and in which we live at the moment reflect God's action and Satan's counteraction. All history reveals God's progressive unveiling of His purpose and the revelation of Himself to mankind and man's rebellion toward it. The "covering" of covenant protects and keeps pure the ribbon of His unveiling Plan through all the generations of man. His righteous people live and mature into His purpose for them right in the presence of evil and Satan's hatred and persecution.

The covering allows every generation to be righteous and effective in the time they live. For 4000 years before the cross and the ministry of the Holy Spirit to dwell within us, mortal man has been used of God according to His purpose. We have been living in the time of the "big sleep" but the call is going forth of the Bridegroom's approach and the "awakening" is happening. Yet, all this time we have been protected by the covering of covenant and able to minister and do God's will.

The covering is invasive in all areas of our lives. The husband is the covering in the family unit. The pastor is the covering in the church unit. All authority no matter where it is found is a covering against rebellious activity and is answerable to God Who gives that authority. When authority is corrupted it is still authority but God keeps a very close eye on authority for it is a covering. All will give account to God for the way each one is faithful to what is entrusted. When people do not have a respect for or a knowledge of the One to Whom they will give account, they blindly slide toward a very fearful Day.

What happens when a person loves and fears and obeys God and is subject to an authority that has no respect for God? Children with the touch of God on their lives living in homes where no glimmer of righteous behavior is ever known, wives subjected to the cruelty and degradation of a selfish and unholy man, citizens subjected to the whims of evil dictators and churches held in the bondage of unrighteous leaders are cause for us to ask that question. This is the evil that this realm produces and this is the realm we live in. This is the realm to which God sent His Son and this is where He will return to rule as King over all the nations with a rod of iron in Righteousness. The covering of covenant is the protection that allows each one to walk in the Way that Jesus revealed. That does not mean that persecution and tribulation does not come but it cannot touch our spirit. God will reward each and every cry and effort to follow Him. There will be the martyrs' crown and there will be eternal blessing for every pain suffered because of the reaching toward Him in the midst of man's rebellion. This is the capsule of "time" when man has choice. Here we choose if we will give God a covenant response or go our own way. Many have lived lives of degradation because of the violence that twisted authority displays. But this "time" is a tiny capsule in a vast eternity.

Jesus was very aware of the what this realm produces. He lived with us here and knew the full measure of man's evil. But He walked among us with a perfect union with the Father. This is the Way. He did not come to this earth to walk in the fullness of the Spirit and in union with the Father for His own sake--He did it for us. We can have what He revealed. He paid the price so anyone in this realm can have what He displayed. He will be with every husband who is willing to walk in the Way and will be that husband's covering so he can be to his wife what Jesus is to His Church. Every pastor that is willing to walk in the Way will have the personal covering of Jesus the Head of the Church so he can be to the people in his care the protection for their daily walk in the Way. God is not unmindful of what we endure but He knows the plans He has for us. His love surrounds us and He has provided the covenant covering under which we walk. Our response of love, worship and perseverance will not go unrewarded.