God’s Image • Commandment 10: Do Not CovetDeuteronomy 5:21 begins by prohibiting coveting the neighbor’s wife. Exodus 20:17 begins with the neighbor’s house and then names his wife. Both passages require attention to a relationship that desire does not give someone the right to claim. Read Deuteronomy 5:21 and Exodus 20:17.
Alongside this wording, we return to a question from our Bridegroom and Bride study:
What establishes the identity of the Bride—and what establishes our relationship to her?
This is the comparison we are developing. Before asking someone to relinquish a claim, we must examine whether that claim belongs to them.
The Bride Is Identified
In Revelation, the angel tells John:
“Come here, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.”
— Revelation 21:9, LSB
John is then shown the holy city, Jerusalem, descending from heaven from God.
The announced identity and what John is shown must remain together: the Bride, the Lamb’s wife, and Jerusalem. Read Revelation 21:9–11.
Galatians supplies another relationship. Paul identifies Jerusalem above as free and as our mother. He then addresses believers as children of promise. Mother and children appear within the same discussion, with their relationship preserved. Read Galatians 4:26–28.
These descriptions give us details to examine before assuming that every relationship names the same role.
Receiving a Place
When John the Baptist’s disciples report that people are going to Jesus, John answers by speaking of what is given from heaven. He distinguishes himself from the Christ and describes the bridegroom’s friend as rejoicing at the bridegroom’s voice. Read John 3:26–30.
The bride, bridegroom, and friend are related, but their roles are distinguishable. The friend’s joy does not require him to occupy the bridegroom’s place.
Can we rejoice in what another has received without needing to claim that place ourselves?
One Body, Differing Functions
Romans 12 places humility beside the description of one body with many members. Paul explicitly states that the members do not all have the same function, then describes differing gifts. Read Romans 12:3–8.
Unity therefore does not erase every distinction. This passage establishes differing functions within the body; we must still examine the passages concerning the Bride to understand that particular relationship.
Our comparisons involving the women in Scripture will continue from here, preserving each woman’s actions, relationships, and place in the account before tracing the shadows.
Recognition Before Relinquishment
Someone may have been taught to claim the Bride’s identity without ever examining the distinction. The first question is therefore about the basis of the claim.
Does Scripture identify me in this role, or have I assumed it?
Have I treated being joined together as meaning every role is interchangeable?
Can I honor another’s place without considering my own less valuable?
If examination challenges what I was taught, am I willing to continue searching?
Have I been taught to desire something—and am I unwilling to let it go even after learning that it is not mine to keep?
Before continuing with Commandment 10, we will pause for a separate Torn Curtain Study. We will examine the curtain’s tearing alongside mourning, Jesus’ intact tunic, and the passages concerning entrance through him. These comparisons will help us distinguish what Scripture reveals from what we may have assumed, before returning to our examination of identity, relationship, and claiming what was not given.
Threads to Follow
Women and relationships: Return to Leah and Rachel in Genesis 29–30, preserving love, recognition, children, and sequence.
Mother and children: Examine Galatians 4:21–31 alongside its references to Genesis and Isaiah.
Given and received: Keep John 3:27–30 beside claims to identity and authority.
The books were opened…
🌿Studies by Maria Emilia ~ 🗺️Continue exploring: Visit Bible Books to find studies organized by book of the Bible, along with related studies and links.
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