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Second Marriage of Martha
of Bethany
CHAPTER 31
By the request of Yochanan and
Miriam, and with the agreement of Martha, Yeshua marries Martha
who becomes his second wife, but does so with the understanding
that the marriage will never be consummated because she is the
eternal mate of Yochanan. The marriage is primarily for the
companionship of Miriam and Martha, as well as for the comfort
and protection of Martha and her children in the days to come.
1 And it
came to pass that Yeshua and Miriam lingered in Bethany, and
Yeshua was weighed heavy by the thought of his promise to
Yochanan concerning his wife Martha, for he understood that to
marry her, as was Yochanan's wish, would cause contentions with
many people; not only the priests, but even among his friends
and followers, for a marriage to two sisters at the same time
was not permitted among the children of Israel.
2 One
day as he was sitting atop a small hill meditating upon this
vexing situation, Miriam came to him, asking, “Husband, you have
been often alone since Yochanan's funeral. As your witness in
all things, I wish that you would share with me what it is that
you have been in such deep thought about.”
3
Yeshua, touched her face as he loved to do, looking into her
eyes, saying, “ I have been thinking much about you my love, and
the days that are coming; and much about the family of
Yochanan.”
4 Miriam
smiled mischievously saying, “I have been thinking also of the
family of Yochanan and I have come to speak to you about it.”
5 Yeshua
raised his eyebrows in interest and Miriam continued, “When we
returned from Egypt, we spoke about the day when I might want to
have another wife in our family.
6 At the
time the thought seemed repugnant to me. But in the days since
Yochanan's death I have thought much of my sister Martha, and
her children; and also of the knowledge that you will be gone
from this Earth in the days to come and that I will be left
alone with our children.
7 It
seems most reasonable that I should ask you now to marry Martha,
that she can be a wife with me, for we have loved each other
since we were children, and when you have left the Earth, no
greater helpmate could I have than my sister.
8 Though
she could remain in Bethany with my parents, I feel she would
benefit immensely more if she could be with me during these
times of trial and I with her; as will all of our children;
that we would all benefit from being a family together at the
Community of Light.”
9 Yeshua
smiled a big smile of wonder at the greatness of his wife and he
said unto her, “You are a light beyond the angels of heaven. It
is upon this very thing that I have been pondering, for I gave a
promise to Yochanan that I would take Martha as a wife and care
for her and their children, but I have been vexed, for to
fulfill all righteousness it is only by your desire and
initiative that such a thing could be.”
10
Miriam leaned toward him and kissed him on the lips saying, “It
is by my desire and initiative dear husband, and you show how
great your love for me is by marrying my sister.”
11
Yeshua spoke again to her plainly, saying, “As you desire so
shall it be, if it is also the desire of Martha.”
12 “It
is,” replied Miriam, “for we have already spoken about it.”
13 “You
must know that I told Yochanan that I could not consummate a
marriage to Martha,” Yeshua cautioned, expecting Miriam's
agreement.
14 But
instead Miriam frowned, saying, “I understand the proprieties of
the law and that this marriage will cause great opposition among
some. But what do I care about the evil thoughts of wicked men,
or the weight of law without the light of Elohim or compassion
or love?
15 I
know that you made such a promise from your honor and purity,
thinking you would be honoring both me and Yochanan by giving
such word.
16 And
perhaps that is how it will be. But do not on my account close
the door to a fullness of relationship, for I will ever be with
you, and because you will honor and respect your wives, nothing
would occur without the consent and desire of all.
17
Perhaps in your intention to honor and not offend you would end
up causing great offense, for Martha might lose her esteem,
thinking you did not desire her in fullness.
18 Even
though she would understand the wisdom and reason of our
marriage for greater comfort and bond of family, she is also
young and may not wish to no longer know the righteous pleasures
of the flesh, and hence become an elderly woman before her time.
19 I do
not ask you to say yea or nay today, but speak to Yochanan about
it in the heavens beyond, and know that it is my wish that you
remain open to fulfilling your full obligations of a husband, as
both my sister and I may desire.”
20
Yeshua never took his eyes from the eyes of Miriam, and said
unto her, “Never has a man had a wife such as I have in you.
For your words I am grateful, but you must understand that
Martha is Yochanan's wife for all eternity, not just for this
life as men suppose.
21 I can
marry her for convenience and security, and for the happiness of
both of you. But I can never have more than chaste brotherly
love and affection for her.
22
Because her marriage in eternity is still in force, to be with
her in any other way would be adultery.”
23 Then
Miriam bowed her head in sorrow, saying, “Forgive me my lord, I
knew this was true, but in my desire for my sisters happiness I
forgot this most important of laws that is not of man, but from
Elohim. I am ashamed for what I have said.”
24
Yeshua touched her face again, saying, “Be not ashamed of love,
nor of your righteous desire for the happiness of those that you
love.
25 Know
that though I will never touch your sister in intimate ways, nor
will any other man, she will not be unfulfilled or an old woman
before her time.”
26 And
Miriam understood the meaning of his words and she was happy.
27 Upon
returning they went immediately and spoke with Martha. Miriam
explained all that she and Yeshua had spoken of and agreed upon,
and Martha fell to her knees before Yeshua, saying, “My lord, it
is my honor to become your wife. In your face and your words I
see my Yochanan, and I know this does not displease you. Living
with you and my sister in holy marriage will seem almost as if
Yochanan still walks beside me.”
28
Yeshua lifted her to her feet holding her two hands and said
unto her, “Though you have yet many years upon the Earth, never
forget that Yochanan looks upon you every moment, and that you
shall be with him again for time and all eternity.
29 For
the years I have left upon the earth, it is my honor to embrace
you into my family and deliver you to the comfort of your sister
who loves you with a pure love.”
30 Then
Yeshua and Miriam and Martha went to tell
the sisters parents and family of their intention to be
married, and as they had feared, except for Lazarus, great was
the discord at their announcement.
31 And
the father of the sisters came to Yeshua saying, “How can I
condone this? You know it is not permitted by the law to marry
two sisters.”
32 And
Yeshua answered unto him, “In the beginning it was not so. I
care not for the laws of men, though they pretend to be of God.
Nor would I do anything that was not pleasing to my father and
mother in heaven.”
33 But
the father of Miriam and Martha was not consoled by the words of
Yeshua and he left immediately in distress to go and speak with
the Levites.
34
Shortly thereafter, he returned, and two Levites came with him,
and they were very agitated because of what he had told them.
35
Approaching Yeshua, one said unto him, “We have been told that
you think to marry a second daughter of Abara of Bethany. Such
a thing is strictly forbidden in the law. Besides the shame it
would bring upon this esteemed house, the consequences could be
very grave for you.”
36
Yeshua answered unto them, “If man's laws are in opposition to
God's laws, to obey one is to disobey the other, and to find
favor of one but wrath of the other. Whom do you think I choose
to obey and find favor with, man or my
Father in heaven?”
37 The
Levites eyes widened in disbelief at Yeshua's words, and the
other Levite said unto him, “It has been said by the people that
you are a learned Rabbi, therefore how can you be so ignorant of
the law?”
38
Yeshua answered unto them, “You charge like lions for the kill,
understanding not the nature of your prey. Verily it would be
easier for a lion to eat a millstone than for you to move me
today.
39 The
law you call upon, condemns not the marriage of a man and two
sisters, but that a man should not cleave unto two sisters.
40 I
declare to you and all the world that I will shall not cleave
unto Martha of Bethany, but shall always hold her apart as the
wife of my brother who has died in the flesh.
41 But
it is not for your law that I make this declaration, but for the
love of my brother and his wife.
42
Verily, I declare unto you, your law is not a law of God, but a
mockery of God issued by the vanity of men.
43 Did
not the tribes of Israel spring from the loins of Jacob? And
did Jacob not marry the sisters Leah and Rachael, the daughters
of Laban, and even cleave unto them both, and this in
righteousness, from whence sprang many of the tribes of Israel,
including the Levities, from whence come you?
44 Do
you think Elohim is a changing God? That the laws of heaven
given to men would change with a new generation; that good would
become evil and evil good?
45
Verily, I say unto you No! Elohim is the same, yesterday, today
and forever! God does not give the Commandments of Sinai to
one generation saying
to
not covet
or steal, and then to a later generation saying that it is now
good to covet and steal.
46
Neither does Elohim rejoice in the marriage of two sisters to
Jacob blessing them with the fruitfulness from whence sprang
most of the Hebrews who walk the land of Palestine today, and
then make a new and opposite law saying it is forbidden to marry
two sisters.
47 Only
men could think up such contradictory doctrines, for Elohim is
like a rod of iron, constant and firm, unmoving and unyielding
in the foundations of light. In no other way could men depend
upon God.
48
Verily I declare unto you, you insult and mock Elohim with your
petty laws. Therefore, get from my sight, and return not until
you bear the fruits of repentance!”
49 And
the Levites hurried away from his mighty countenance and all the
family and their friends that had been watching were once again
in awe of Yeshua.
50 And
Abara came to him saying, “You have opened up my eyes, and my
ears have heard different things than I had thought. Forgive me
for my weakness. I would be honored to give Martha to you in
marriage.”
51 And
it came to pass that Yeshua and Miriam and Martha were married
one to another after the manner that Yeshua taught, and Abara
threw a great feast that lasted for three days.
52 And
though there were some in Bethany who still spoke ill of the
marriage, and harsh words of it were carried to the priests of
Jerusalem, among Yeshua and Miriam and Martha and their children
and kinsfolk, there was a deep sense of unity and happiness.
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