Messianic Jewish Counseling Devotional for Couples on Parashat Mishpatim
Listen to your Devotional HERE
(Exodus 21:1–24:18)
Theme: Building a Covenant of Love and Justice in Marriage
Opening Prayer:
"Avinu Malkeinu, Our Father Our King, we come before You, seeking wisdom from Your Torah. Help us to understand how Your righteous laws guide our marriage in love, justice, and unity. Teach us to walk in Your ways as a couple, reflecting Yeshua’s love. Amen."
1. The Covenant of Marriage: A Reflection of G-d’s Covenant
"Then Moses took the blood, sprinkled it on the people, and said, ‘This is the blood of the covenant which Ad-nai has made with you according to all these words.’” (Exodus 24:8)
Parashat Mishpatim is about laws that help G-d’s people live in righteousness and justice. After receiving these laws, Israel enters a covenant with G-d. Similarly, marriage is a sacred covenant, not just a contract, but a binding relationship of love, trust, and commitment.
Reflection for Couples:
- Do we treat our marriage as a covenant before G-d, or do we sometimes approach it as a conditional contract?
- How can we renew our commitment to each other, just as Israel renewed its covenant with Ad-nai?
Practical Step:
Pray together and reaffirm your commitment to each other as a covenant, not just a partnership of convenience.
2. Justice and Mercy in Marriage
"You must not mistreat any widow or orphan. If you mistreat them in any way and they cry out to Me, I will surely hear their cry." (Exodus 22:22-23)
Though this verse speaks about the vulnerable, it teaches us about G-d’s heart for justice, mercy, and kindness. In marriage, we must ensure that we treat each other with gentleness and fairness, especially in moments of conflict.
Reflection for Couples:
- Do we speak and act with kindness, even in disagreements?
- Are we quick to listen and slow to judge each other?
Practical Step:
Set aside time to discuss any recent conflicts and focus on understanding each other’s feelings instead of proving a point.
3. Serving Each Other with Love
"If you buy a Hebrew servant, he is to serve for six years, and in the seventh, he is to go free, without payment." (Exodus 21:2)
This passage, though about servanthood, reveals an important principle: G-d calls us to serve, not dominate. In marriage, Yeshua teaches us to serve one another, just as He served His disciples.
Reflection for Couples:
- Do we seek to serve each other selflessly, or do we expect to be served?
- How can we model Yeshua’s humility in our daily interactions?
Practical Step:
You can find a way to serve your spouse this week without expecting anything in return, whether through an act of kindness, a word of encouragement, or a simple favor.
Closing Blessing:
"May Ad-nai bless you and keep you. May He fill your marriage with His justice, mercy, and love. May your covenant reflect the beauty of His eternal covenant with us through Yeshua. Amen."
Shabbat Shalom!
