ESPOUSED, ESPOUSALS
This term is well known among the Hebrews, in the ceremony of their marriages. The espousing each other, and the betrothing by promise to each other, from the time that this was done, was considered as sacred, though the marriage was not consummated sometimes for a considerable space after. Upon these occasions there was generally a pledge given from the man to the woman, as a token of this inviolable contract. This espousal, in the Jewish church, is frequently made use of, by way of figure, to represent the spiritual union and marriage of Christ with his people. Hence we find several striking Scriptures to this amount. (Isaiah 54:5; Hosea 2:19-20; Jeremiah 2:2; Jeremiah 3:14; Revelation 19:7-9) The Son of God married our nature when taking that holy portion of it, his body, into union with the GODHEAD. And he forms an union, as the Christ of God, with every individual of his mystical body, by betrothing each to himself. He also, like the Jewish husband, gives the pledge and token of his love, when he gives the influence of his Holy Spirit. From this time the contract is considered inviolable, and the Lord saith, "Thou shalt not play the harlot, and thou shalt not be for another man; so will I also be for thee." (Hosea 3:3) At length, when the Lord brings home his spouse, then it is called the marriage-supper of the Lamb in heaven. (Revelation 19:9)
See Betrothed and Marriage.