Day 156 - The Parable of the Woman Who Married Seven Times

Updated: Jan 19

The parable of the woman who married seven times should bring us great comfort.

Jesus told those listening to him the parable about the woman who had seven husbands.

Master, Moses said, If a man, at the time of his death, has no children, let his brother take his wife, and get a family for his brother; Now there were among us seven brothers; and the first was married and at his death, having no seed, gave his wife to his brother; In the same way the second and the third, up to the seventh. And last of all the woman came to her end. When they come back from the dead, then, whose wife will she be of the seven? because they all had her.

But Jesus said to them in answer, You are in error, not having knowledge of the Writings, or of the power of God. For when they come back from the dead there are no husbands and wives, but they are as the angels in heaven.

But about the dead coming back to life, have you no knowledge of what was said to you by God in the Writings: I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead but of the living. (Matthew 22.24-32 Bible in Basic English (BBE))

The parable of the woman who marries seven times and the question of whose wife she would be in Heaven is thought-provoking. This question may initially concern any who have married more than once. But Jesus's response allows you to put your concerns aside. We each think about what Heaven and the end of times will be like. We see them in our minds and movies. Yet they are different and so much more than we can imagine. Jesus compares the dead to angels in Heaven. Heaven is a place where marriage no longer matters. After God transforms you, you shall be with those who have gone before you. From this, you can feel all hope and know you will be rejoined with those you love as angels.

Prayer:

God, you are Lord of all things, and through you, we live forever. This knowledge frees me from worry over those lost to death. It is not easy to release my anxiety over those lost. Would you please help me, Lord? My soul believes there is no need for worry or sorrow. They have just gone from me for a while, not forever. I can understand that, but my loneliness for them sometimes creeps up on me. Bring a smile of happy remembrance so I might treasure that they live in my mind and Heaven. I do not want to forget, but I do want to stop grieving as it interferes with living the life you call me to. With your blessed love and the wisdom in Scripture, I am learning to be the person you call me to be while living the precious life you gave me. Amen