THE VALUE of
VIRGINITY
Rev. John W. Gerald
I. REBEKAH CHOSEN
Ge 24:16 And the damsel [was] very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her: and she went down to the well, and filled her pitcher, and came up.
This was Rebekah, the choice of God for Isaac’s wife. She was a cousin, or near kinswoman. Contrary to today’s customs, a virgin was the coveted wife of that day, an absolutely essential quality for a wife for Isaac. It should still be an overriding quality required of a woman about to be married for the first time.
Ge 24:43 Behold, I stand by the well of water; and it shall come to pass, that when the virgin cometh forth to draw [water], and I say to her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water of thy pitcher to drink;
Abraham’s servant had prayed and asked the LORD for a sign that the woman he was to choose for Isaac would meet certain conditions.
Besides being an unmarried virgin of the house of Laban, she was to offer to do certain courtesies toward him. These were: to offer him drink, and to offer to give water to his camels as well. This was a very big job for a small woman! But it would certainly set this particular woman apart from all others. It was a hard sign, but the Lord sent the one along who could fulfill even this one. The servant of Abraham was overcome with thankfulness for this girl. She was not only beautiful, but she had character!
II. THE LORD’S PRIESTS TO CHOOSE A VIRGIN
Le 21:14 A widow, or a divorced woman, or profane, [or] an harlot, these shall he not take: but he shall take a virgin of his own people to wife.
The Levite, or priest, was not to marry a divorced woman, or a woman who was a widow of an ordinary man. He could take a widow of another priest, but the wife of choice was to be a virgin, and she was to be of the tribe of Levi, as well. He was to take a wife that would be a credit to the priesthood. Profane, vulgar, or women of disrepute were not permitted.
III. A VIRGIN THE CHOICE OF A HUSBAND
Isa 62:5 For [as] a young man marrieth a virgin, [so] shall thy sons marry thee: and [as] the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, [so] shall thy God rejoice over thee.
This is a promise of future blessings, when the men of Israel will build up their own homeland instead of that of other nations. They will be at home on their own land, and will multiply and increase their nation. The people will rejoice in this future state, and God will delight in them when they have returned unto him.
IV. THE VIRGIN AND THE YOUNG MEN SHALL REJOICE
Jer 31:13 Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men and old together: for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow.
Jeremiah sees the picture very much as Isaiah did. There will be future joy and gladness. This is a picture of restoration of national identity, happiness, peace and joy from the previous sorrow; and comfort and assurance with security. No wonder there will be dancing in the streets for the joy of it all!
V. CHRIST TO BE BORN OF A VIRGIN
Isa 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
While there was a premium upon virginity for the woman to be married, God certainly could require no less for the mother of His Son, Jesus. It was to be a sign to all who believed, that the woman chosen for this honor should be a virgin. She was not to be just a "young woman" as some translations read, but she was to be a VIRGIN. She was to be THE VIRGIN, to separate her from all the rest. While it is not true that Mary was a perpetual virgin, for she had other children, it is true that God honored her above all other women, and all generations will call her blessed! for she was truly blessed of God.
Mt 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Matthew quotes the reference from Isaiah. It is an acknowledgment of the prophecy from Isaiah being fulfilled in this new testament account. It was thought impossible that a virgin, who was still a virgin, could be pregnant. It was not within the powers of nature! This birth was a supernatural one. God made Mary pregnant with Jesus through the Holy Spirit. He was to be VERY MAN, and VERY GOD. His name Emmanuel, and the name given by the angel at his birth, Jesus, both indicated His mission to this earth. He was to be God with us, and the Saviour of mankind.
Lu 1:27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name [was] Mary.
The LORD was very specific concerning which virgin it was to be! She was to be engaged to a man named Joseph of the house of David, the king! She was to be called Mary. If any of these factors should have been missing, it would have been the wrong Mary!
VI. A VIRGIN HAS THE RIGHT TO MARRY
1Co 7:28 But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you.
A virgin has the right to marry! She has not committed a sin because she has married. But Paul says that the married woman is bound to have trouble. Her life will certainly change, and that not always for the better. It is sad that the thing which has the greatest potential for happiness can turn out to be the source of the greatest disappointment! But a happy marriage does not just happen, and it is not always assured.
VII. MARRIAGE HAS RESTRICTIONS
1Co 7:34 There is difference [also] between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please [her] husband.
Priorities change with marriage. I have often longed for the young person who has been hurt in a wrongful marriage to see the value in giving the rest of their life to the Lord, and just forgetting another marriage which could end just as disastrously or worse. The wife does, or should care for her husband, how to please him. But the unmarried have no such burden. They can give themselves to the service of the Lord.
VIII. THE CHRISTIAN MUST BE PURE AS A VIRGIN
2Co 11:2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present [you as] a chaste virgin to Christ.
Paul describes the church as an engaged woman. We are engaged to Christ. Paul wants to preserve this commitment. He wants to be able to present them to Christ as a pure, chaste virgin. The church that becomes the bride of Christ will be a virgin indeed. There can be no unfaithfulness allowed! We cannot commit sin, or spiritual fornication, and remain in the blessed number of the redeemed. To commit sin is to be unfaithful! It is most essential that the bride of Christ be a virgin, and faithful!
