The relation of the Church to God that of a wife to her husband.
The analogy set forth by the prophet in the first six verses of this chapter is one to which equal prominence is given in the Old Testament and the New. It forms the basis of one entire book of the Old Scriptures—the Canticles, or Song of Solomon. It pervades the whole teaching of the prophets, which declares apostasy from God to be "adultery" (Isaiah 57:3-5; Jeremiah 3:9; Jeremiah 5:7; Jeremiah 13:27; Jeremiah 23:10-14; Ezekiel 16:32-36; Ezekiel 23:37; Hosea 3:1; Hosea 4:12-14, etc.). It is asserted repeatedly with the utmost plainness (verse 5; Jeremiah 3:14; Jeremiah 31:32; Hosea 2:16-20). In the New Testament, it is hinted at in the Gospels (Matthew 25:1-10), taught plainly in the Epistles (2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:23-32), and made part of the imagery of the Revelation of St. John (John 21:2, John 21:9; 22:17). The only difference is that, in the Old Testament, the "husband" is, vaguely, Jehovah or God; in the New he is, definitely, the Second Person of the Trinity, Christ. The relationship involves, on the part of God:
1. Love. "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the Church" (Ephesians 5:25).
2. Tender guardianship and care. "The Lord nourisheth and cherisheth the Church" (Ephesians 5:29).
3. Exertion of a purifying and elevating influence. Christ "loved the Church, and gave himself for it, that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word, that he might present it to himself a glorious Church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish" (Ephesians 5:25-27).
4. Everlasting kindness—kindness that "shall not depart," or be withdrawn, for ever (Isaiah 54:8,Isaiah 54:10).
On the part of the Church there are involved corresponding duties; as:
1. Love (1 John 4:16-21).
2. Reverence (Ephesians 5:33).
3. Subjection. "As the Church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything" (Ephesians 5:24).
4. Never-ending fidelity. The desire of the Church should be towards her Lord, as his is towards her (So John 7:10), incessantly.