Was it God the Father that married Israel or was it the One who became Jesus Christ? If God the Father was married to Israel and put her away, how is He able to marry the Israel of God under the terms of the New Covenant? Scripture clearly reveals that Christ is in the husband role to the Church and the Church is going to marry Him. The Old Covenant/Marriage relationship was dissolved by the death of Jesus Christ which in turn wrought redemption and the promise of eternal inheritance for believers. That same One who was married to physical Israel is now espoused to spiritual Israel, the Israel of God and will marry her at the marriage supper of the Lamb.

Donald Ward

Elder, United Church of God

Before his retirement in 2021, Dr. Donald Ward pastored churches in Texas and Louisiana, and taught at Ambassador Bible College in Cincinnati, Ohio. He has also served as chairman of the Council of Elders of the United Church of God. He holds a BS degree; a BA in theology; a MS degree; a doctor’s degree in education from East Texas State University; and has completed 18 hours of graduate theology from SMU.