What can we possibly learn from this strange test for adultery? Well, the very existence of such a ceremony reminds us that adultery is a very big deal. In fact, the mere suspicion of adultery strikes at the very core of marriage, which is, after all, the pursuit of oneness based on mutual trust and love. This ceremony thus shows that suspicion and jealousy in a marriage cannot be allowed to fester, but must be confronted in some way.
But the ceremony also proves that sometimes a jealous couple needs outside help in order to save their marriage. Specifically, they need a divine perspective on things. And all the details of this ceremony attempt to provide that.
We can’t be sure of all the symbolism, but some of it seems clear enough. The offering the woman brings is barley – the least expensive of cereals. It is accompanied by no oil, which symbolizes the anointing of the Holy Spirit. It comes with no incense which, when burned, symbolizes the prayers of God’s people. In short, the offering indicates that the sin of which she is accused is as common as it is godless (Numbers 5:15).
The woman has to take an oath that she has not, in fact, committed adultery (Numbers 5:19-22). This reminds us that part of the answer to the deception that lies at the heart of adultery is a clear statement of the truth. But this oath is accompanied by drinking water that has two special components, thus indicating some important ideas that need to be internalized for that oath to be meaningful.
The first ingredient is the dust from the floor of the Tabernacle (Numbers 5:17). This points in two directions. The first reminds us of the serpent in the Garden of Eden, who had to eat dust as a consequence of his sin (Genesis 3:14). The dust thus removes any Romantic notions about adultery and strips it to its essence: because it is an act that springs from the lies of Satan it deserves the death penalty (Leviticus 20:10).
But at the same time, the fact that this dust comes from the floor of the Tabernacle should give us hope. For the Tabernacle itself represents the presence of Christ: the Light of the World, the Bread of Heaven, the One Whose sacrifice brings forgiveness of all the sins of all His people. Therefore, any discussion of adultery must not treat it as an unforgiveable sin, but one that can be covered by the blood of Christ. And so, if Christ can forgive such unfaithfulness, a husband should be able to do the same thing.
What’s the second ingredient in the drink? The priest writes down the words of the woman’s oath in a book, and washes them off into the water (Leviticus 5:23). The woman must thus not only speak the words, but internalize them, believing them with all her heart. She must take as seriously as possible the part of the Word of God that relates to her situation.
And internalizing the Word of God continues to be an essential part of any marriage, regardless of its condition. For unless a couple bases their expectations for their relationship on the Word of God, disappointment and jealousy are bound to intrude.
So, when we put it all together, the answer to jealous suspicion is for both husband and wife to be open and honest with one another, to go back to God’s Word, to recognize and confess their mutual sins that brought them to such a painful point, to claim the forgiveness each of them is offered in Christ, and to reaffirm their fidelity to one another, moving forward with humble faith in God and with patient, understanding love for one another. Yes, it seems we can learn a lot from the Law of Moses after all.
Numbers 5:11-15 (NASB)
11 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
12 “Speak to the sons of Israel, and say to them, ‘If any man’s wife goes astray and is unfaithful to him,
13 and a man has intercourse with her and it is hidden from the eyes of her husband and she is undetected, although she has defiled herself, and there is no witness against her and she has not been caught in the act,
14 if a spirit of jealousy comes over him and he is jealous of his wife when she has defiled herself, or if a spirit of jealousy comes over him and he is jealous of his wife when she has not defiled herself,
15 the man shall then bring his wife to the priest, and shall bring as an offering for her one-tenth of an ephah of barley meal; he shall not pour oil on it, nor put frankincense on it, for it is a grain offering of jealousy, a grain offering of memorial, a reminder of iniquity.
