Lord Jesus,
One of the most thrilling thoughts of scripture is the Biblical symbol of a male and female pair joined in holy marriage. Two complementary opposites come together. Male fitting with female relationally, procreatively, intimately. Joined together for life, blessed with offspring from their union, the web of personality and relationship is wound together in a bond which You intend to become unbreakable, except by death.
Your Word starts with a wedding in Genesis and ends with a wedding in the Revelation of Jesus Christ as recorded by Saint John. Your entire Creative theology is consumed with a male and female pair joined in marriage.
William Barclay indicates that "The thought of the relationship between God and his people as a marriage goes far back into the Old Testament. Again and again the prophets thought of Israel as the chosen bride of God. "I will betroth you to me for ever," Hosea hears God say, "I will betroth you to me in righteousness" (Hosea 2:19-20). "Your Maker is your husband; the Lord of hosts is his name," says Isaiah (Isaiah 54:5). Jeremiah hears God say and appeal: "Return, O faithless children, for I am your master" (Jeremiah 3:14). Ezekiel works out the whole picture most fully in Ezekiel 16:1-63 ."
Barclay continues: "The marriage symbolism runs all through the Gospels. We read of the marriage feast (Matthew 22:2); of the bridechamber and the wedding garment (Matthew 22:10-11); of the sons of the bridechamber (Mark 2:19); of the bridegroom (Mark 2:19; Matthew 25:1); of the friends of the bridegroom (John 3:29). And Paul speaks of himself as betrothing the Church like a pure virgin to Christ (2 Corinthians 11:2), and for him the relationship of Christ to his Church is the great model of the relationship of husband and wife (Ephesians 5:21-33)." (William Barclay in the The Revelation of John, vol. 2, 1959, p. 222).
William Barclay indicates that "The thought of the relationship between God and his people as a marriage goes far back into the Old Testament. Again and again the prophets thought of Israel as the chosen bride of God. "I will betroth you to me for ever," Hosea hears God say, "I will betroth you to me in righteousness" (Hosea 2:19-20). "Your Maker is your husband; the Lord of hosts is his name," says Isaiah (Isaiah 54:5). Jeremiah hears God say and appeal: "Return, O faithless children, for I am your master" (Jeremiah 3:14). Ezekiel works out the whole picture most fully in Ezekiel 16:1-63 ."
Barclay continues: "The marriage symbolism runs all through the Gospels. We read of the marriage feast (Matthew 22:2); of the bridechamber and the wedding garment (Matthew 22:10-11); of the sons of the bridechamber (Mark 2:19); of the bridegroom (Mark 2:19; Matthew 25:1); of the friends of the bridegroom (John 3:29). And Paul speaks of himself as betrothing the Church like a pure virgin to Christ (2 Corinthians 11:2), and for him the relationship of Christ to his Church is the great model of the relationship of husband and wife (Ephesians 5:21-33)." (William Barclay in the The Revelation of John, vol. 2, 1959, p. 222).
May love, intimate communion, comfort, joy, and fidelity grace my marriage. Remind me that my marital conduct is an act of thanksgiving and worship to You, as I am living out Your design. Protect me from the seduction of counterfeit substitutes for Your design of holy marriage. Point me to the culmination of Your Creation expressed in heaven when You marry Your holy bride, Your church. Prepare me through my earthly marriage, to be a member of Your holy bride.
I love You.
In the Name of my Heavenly Bridegroom, Jesus Christ,
Amen.
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