The Bible frequently refers to the Body of Christ as the Bride of Christ, but what exactly does that mean? In the Jewish culture, the engagement or betrothal was a formal bond between the bridegroom and bride-to-be. The Jews saw it as a time of deepening intimacy, by getting to know one another better. In the process of betrothal, a seal was made in the form of a dowry. The dowry made the marriage legal even before the official ceremony.
The dowry came in several different forms;
1) The “bride-fee,” paid to the father upon her departure (Gen. 34:12).
2) Gifts from the groom to the bride.
3) Gifts to the family of the bride (Gen 24:53).
4) Gifts from the bride’s father to the bride (Judges 1:15; 1 Kings 9:16).
The bride was the owner of the dowry, and some have suggested the dowry was an advanced inheritance from the bride’s father. Similarly, the new believer is given a dowry, a seal of promise, a guarantee of one’s inheritance until Christ’s return (Eph. 1:13). The Holy Spirit is the down payment, providing both a foretaste of the believer’s spiritual inheritance and a legal claim to the fullness of the inheritance of the future (2 Cor. 1:22).
The “bride-price” has been paid to our Father, who demands justice for our sins through a blood sacrifice. Jesus, the bridegroom, paid that price for us. In turn, we have made the commitment to place God as the King of our life and live our life according to His will. We can only do this through the power of the Holy Spirit who transforms us, resides in us, and strengthens us to walk in Him.
Aside from Christ, there is nothing that can help us acquire this goal. We have already tried to live life on our own terms and failed. We must rely on the One who can change us. Ezekial 36:26-27 tells us that God will give us a new heart and put a new spirit within us, both of which will bring transformation. “I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My stautes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.”
THE MARRIAGE
Throughout the Bible, marriage is a metaphor for the relationship between God and His people. The Hebrew definition of marriage literally means sanctified (to be set apart for a special purpose). We are set apart to be the Bride of Christ. In a committed, romantic relationship, each partner seeks ways to serve the other (Matt. 16:24-26), as is seen in the Bible with Jewish marriages.
In a Jewish marriage, a written contract was required from the groom to be given to the bride, which he read aloud during the wedding ceremony. This contract was an obligatory document (a vow), detailing the responsibilities the husband would have to his wife during their life together (Ex. 21:10; Lev. 18-21; Deut. 24:5). Its verbal and written responsibility included more than just the provisions for clothing, food, and shelter. This contract explicitly stated the rights of the wife, the respect the husband would have for her, and a commitment to not make her cry. He was expected to deny himself and provide for her needs. The husband’s signature, as well as witnesses, were required on the document for the purpose of accountability. The wife did not need to sign the document, as it was a commitment from her husband. She was, however, expected to honor, respect, and serve him according to the law.
Equally so, the Bible is God’s commitment to us. In it, we see thousands of promises that state He will care for us, provide for us, comfort us, and serve us as His bride. He tells us our rights, our responsibilities, and our future inheritance. Marriage is a commitment to lay aside all that pertains to your own loyalties and goals and be joined to one another.
We are the object of God’s affection and He, in turn, must be ours. We are commanded to love Him above all others, to “cleave” to Him. We are one flesh (Gen. 2:24; 1 Cor. 6:15). We must not allow anyone else to be placed above our relationship with Him, for this is considered adultery. God’s role as our husband carries a great deal of responsibility, that He is content to meet. He gives us love without conditions or restrictions, a love overflowing with understanding and honor, grace, mercy, and forgiveness. All marriages, including the union we’ve made with God, are most successful when both parties respond to the Bible’s design for love.
Our wedding day will take place at the Second Coming of Christ, a marriage that was orchestrated for us before we were created, when we were first sanctified. It will be the completion of our purpose and plan in life. We have accepted that calling if we have accepted Christ as our Savior. Though the ceremony is yet to occur, we can safely view our relationship with Christ as our engagement to Him.
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