‘That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”’ 1 Corinthians 2:9(NLT)
‘This is the account of the creation of the heavens and the earth.
The Man and Woman in Eden
When the Lord God made the earth and the heavens, neither wild plants nor grains were growing on the earth. For the Lord God had not yet sent rain to water the earth, and there were no people to cultivate the soil. Instead, springs came up from the ground and watered all the land. Then the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person. Then the Lord God planted a garden in Eden in the east, and there he placed the man he had made. ‘ Genesis 2:4-8(NLT)
‘Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.” So the Lord God formed from the ground all the wild animals and all the birds of the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would call them, and the man chose a name for each one. He gave names to all the livestock, all the birds of the sky, and all the wild animals. But still there was no helper just right for him. So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep. While the man slept, the Lord God took out one of the man’s ribs and closed up the opening. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib, and he brought her to the man. “At last!” the man exclaimed. “This one is bone from my bone, and flesh from my flesh! She will be called ‘woman,’ because she was taken from ‘man.’” This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one. Now the man and his wife were both naked, but they felt no shame.’ Genesis 2:18-25(NLT)
Just go with me here for a second. I have to warn you: I’m a hopeless romantic!
Picture yourself as a bride. The church doors open and your eyes behold a sight so magnificent that you can’t put the image into words. You’re lost in the sound of beautiful music, floating on the intensity of excitement, bursting with love and joy.
You’re ravishing and glowing. Your hair is smooth and tame, streaming in locks down your back. (Ok, I’m getting a little carried away, but we girls love good hair. I’ve never had good hair, so let a girl dream.)
You start running unabashedly down the aisle. Tears begin streaming down your face. You can’t get to the end fast enough, because you see Him: Jesus. He’s at the end of the aisle smiling—even laughing.
He’s waiting for you with arms open wide. Let me add: He’s beautiful. He’s cool and gorgeous. He might even have a man-bun and tattoos. He’s nothing like the Jesus you’ve seen in church photos.
You no longer care about the dress. Your shoes come off and your hair flies everywhere as you leap into His arms. He has you—yes, you! The girl who never thought she was beautiful. The girl who failed. The girl who was afraid she didn’t make the cut. The girl who had given up on love.
You’re His bride. He died for you, and He has the scars to prove it. Even in your shame, sin, and failures, you’re all He’s ever wanted. It’s time to say yes!
•••••
God uses metaphors all throughout the Bible to give us pictures of what our relationship with Him looks like: He’s our father, savior, king, shepherd, and so much more.
In this study, we’re going to focus on one unique metaphor used in over 100 verses across the Old and New Testament: God refers to Himself as our bridegroom and us as His bride. He doesn’t just want to rule over us as a king or know us just as a father; He wants a love relationship with us.
This marriage to Jesus will exceed every form of relationship we experience here on earth. It’s an intimate, reciprocating love. He wants us as a husband wants His bride.
Remember, God designed marriage. In Genesis, we see God’s plan from the beginning: Adam and Eve were unified, naked, and unashamed. They enjoyed perfect fellowship with each other and with God until sin entered the world.
Jesus came to earth to save us, take away our sin and shame, and restore what was broken. He’s our bridegroom and He’s down on one knee, fighting for us to say yes.
In this study, we’re going to grasp a greater understanding of this love relationship we have in Christ. We’ll study Jewish wedding culture, the story of Jesus’ first miracle, and the coming wedding and celebratory feast that no eye has ever seen, no ear has ever heard, and no mind has ever imagined.
Let’s go!
from Will You Marry Me?