Numbers 5:23–28 ERV: “The priest should write these warnings on a scroll. Then he should wash the words off into the water. Then the woman must drink the water that brings trouble. This water will enter her and, if she is guilty, it will cause her much suffering. “Then the priest will take the grain offering from her (the offering for jealousy) and raise it before the Lord. Then he will carry it to the altar. The priest will fill his hands with some of the grain and put it on the altar and let it burn there. After that he will tell the woman to drink the water. If the woman has sinned against her husband, the water will bring her trouble. The water will go into her body and cause her much suffering. Any baby that is in her will die before it is born, and she will never be able to have children. All the people will turn against her. But if the woman has not sinned against her husband and she is pure, the priest will say that she is not guilty. Then she will be normal and able to have children.

“Then the priest will take the grain offering from her (the offering for jealousy) and raise it before the Lord. Then he will carry it to the altar. 26 The priest will fill his hands with some of the grain and put it on the altar and let it burn there. After that he will tell the woman to drink the water. 27 If the woman has sinned against her husband, the water will bring her trouble. The water will go into her body and cause her much suffering. Any baby that is in her will die before it is born, and she will never be able to have children. All the people will turn against her.[d] 28 But if the woman has not sinned against her husband and she is pure, the priest will say that she is not guilty. Then she will be normal and able to have children.

In these difficult Old Testament verses, the priest carries out the prescribed ritual. If the woman is guilty, her wrongdoing is exposed; if she is innocent, she is cleared and set free from the accusation. God knows the truth even when people do not. False accusations, jealousy, and suspicion can deeply wound us, but nothing is hidden from Him. We can place our reputation in His hands and trust Him to judge with perfect knowledge.

Dear Blessed Lord Jesus, You, know every heart and see the complete truth. Protect the innocent, reveal what is hidden, and replace jealousy and suspicion with honesty, wisdom, and peace. Love You, thank You, praise You and give You all the honor and glory in Your mighty Precious name Lord Jesus Amen.