Song of Solomon 6-8
Galatians 4
“Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” Revelation 19:6-8
In the first century, Jewish weddings were the fruit of arranged marriages, where each set of parents would try and find the best match for their son or daughter. The arrangement would be finalized when the fathers agreed on a bride price. The engagement could not be sealed until the groom took the cup of wine to his potential bride and said to her, “This is my life given to you.” If she were to drink from that cup, she would be saying in return, “And I will give my life for you.” The groom would go back to his father’s home to prepare a place for his wife by building an additional room in his father’s house. Only after the room was completed and permission from the father was given could the groom return and the wedding festivities begin.
This is unlike modern weddings, where, soon after the engagement, a date is set and a furious marathon of activity ensues to get everyone ready for the big day. In the first century, nobody had any idea as to when the wedding would happen. The bride would have to be in a constant state of readiness. The only warning she would get would be the friend of the groom sent ahead to blow the trumpet moments before the groom arrived.
Throughout the New Testament, we find imagery of a wedding. Jesus said, “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am” (John 14:2-4). In the Last Supper, Jesus took the cup, gave thanks and said, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you” (Luke 22:20). 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 also tells us, “You are not your own; you were bought at a price.” The very life of Jesus was laid down for us. Regarding His return, Jesus said, “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Matthew 24:36). Later, Paul writes, “For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God…” (1 Thessalonians 4:16).
What does all this tell us? The marriage imagery tells us that our future is relational—it is about love. Is there anything more glorious than to enter fully into the love that God has for us in Jesus?
Beloved Jesus, I look forward to the day when I enter fully into Your love. While I know it dimly and incompletely now, one day I will know it fully and completely. Thank You, Lord. Praise You!
Galatians 4
“Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” Revelation 19:6-8
In the first century, Jewish weddings were the fruit of arranged marriages, where each set of parents would try and find the best match for their son or daughter. The arrangement would be finalized when the fathers agreed on a bride price. The engagement could not be sealed until the groom took the cup of wine to his potential bride and said to her, “This is my life given to you.” If she were to drink from that cup, she would be saying in return, “And I will give my life for you.” The groom would go back to his father’s home to prepare a place for his wife by building an additional room in his father’s house. Only after the room was completed and permission from the father was given could the groom return and the wedding festivities begin.
This is unlike modern weddings, where, soon after the engagement, a date is set and a furious marathon of activity ensues to get everyone ready for the big day. In the first century, nobody had any idea as to when the wedding would happen. The bride would have to be in a constant state of readiness. The only warning she would get would be the friend of the groom sent ahead to blow the trumpet moments before the groom arrived.
Throughout the New Testament, we find imagery of a wedding. Jesus said, “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am” (John 14:2-4). In the Last Supper, Jesus took the cup, gave thanks and said, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you” (Luke 22:20). 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 also tells us, “You are not your own; you were bought at a price.” The very life of Jesus was laid down for us. Regarding His return, Jesus said, “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Matthew 24:36). Later, Paul writes, “For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God…” (1 Thessalonians 4:16).
What does all this tell us? The marriage imagery tells us that our future is relational—it is about love. Is there anything more glorious than to enter fully into the love that God has for us in Jesus?
Beloved Jesus, I look forward to the day when I enter fully into Your love. While I know it dimly and incompletely now, one day I will know it fully and completely. Thank You, Lord. Praise You!
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