I’m hoping this love story will be a little easier, now that you’ve had some practice. What we are doing, for those who have just joined us, is finding Jesus and His Gospel hidden in the love stories of the Bible. I’m testing the waters here. You are a depthy group of women — if it is too challenging for you, I know I need to go back to the drawing board. I also covet your prayers for wisdom for me if I should proceed with this book. I appreciate you!
Let’s go to the beginning — to the first love story. My favorite picture of a bride is this picture of my mother on her wedding day. Dressed in snowy white, I know she took my father’s breath away. And though it is hard to believe, when Jesus has finished His work in us, we will thrill Him in the same way.
- the trumpet solitaire sounds and we rise to see a radiant bride in a snowy white gown
- her father walks her down the aisle and presents her to the groom
- the bride and groom covenant, from this day forward and until death, “to have and to hold, for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish…”
- they are pronounced “husband and wife” and turn with radiant faces and joyful step to walk down the aisle together – no longer two, but one.
- God covers every believer with a garment of snowy white, a “wedding garment”
- God the Father chose His Bride before the foundation of the world to one day present to His Son
- God covenants with His own, for better or for worse
- One day each believer will see Jesus face to face and be forever united to Him
AS A BRIDEGROOM REJOICES OVER HIS BRIDE
Bible Study
1. Comment on the introduction — is the idea that a wedding is a picture of the Gospel new to you? What thoughts do you have?
2. When the first bride is walked down the aisle by God the Father and presented to Adam, how does he respond in Genesis 2:23? Why was he so excited? (Genesis 2:18-20 may give insight.)
2. What parallel do you see between this first wedding and our wedding to Jesus Christ? (See Isaiah 62:5) How is it possible, given our sin, that our God will rejoice over us?
3. Challenge question: Why is a wedding a picture of the Gospel? (See above notes — and bring any Scriptures that you feel help clarify this.)
4. After Adam breaks out into song, Moses states the most importance verse about marriage in the Bible. It consists of three parts — what are they?
5. In Ephesians 5:31-32, Paul says this verse applies not only to earthly marriage, but something deeper. What is that?
Let’s begin with leaving and cleaving and do one flesh next week. (For even sexual intimacy is a picture of the Gospel.)
6. Leaving:
Earthly marriage: What does it mean for a man to “leave” his family? Does this mean abandonment? Why is this important for a healthy marriage?
The parallel with Christ: How did Jesus leave His Father in order to woo His Bride? Was this painful for Him, do you think?
In the psalm about Christ and His bride, how does “leaving” apply to us, according to Psalm 45:10-11.
How could you personally apply this?
7. Cleaving
Cleaving is akin to gluing two pieces of paper together. They are no longer two, but
one, and if you try to separate the two pieces, you rip into each of them. Cleaving cannot occur when a couple simply lives together, because there is no lasting covenant, no legal commitment. Cleaving provides the protective tent for becoming one flesh, which God says should follow rather than precede cleaving. This helps us to understand why divorce is so painful. It rips at each partner, and at any children of their union. God wants us to cleave, to be committed – for earthly reasons, but also, because it reflects His covenant.
A. As Applied to Earthly Marriage: What does cleaving mean, and how should this impact a couples’ perspective of marriage?
B. In Malachi 2:10-16, the prophet thunders at men who have broken their marriage covenant with the brides of their youth, casting them aside to marry younger pagan women. What reasons does God give in Malachi 2:14-15 for his anger with these men?
C. The parallel with Christ. Christ cleaves to us, will never leave us or forsake us. Find passages that show that this cleaving depends on Christ’s faithfulness. If we are truly His, we need not fear that He will walk out.
8. What will you take away from this week’s study? Why?
85 comments
Dee, I will pray for wisdom for you, but I must tell you that so far this is the best study I have done in a very long time. It is deep and it is great because it is challenging not just for me but it is evident it has been challenging everyone else who is doing this as well. This study is changing my life in the areas of bondage I have unknowingly put myself in and I am on the road to being free in these areas. It is awesome and it is starting to effect other areas of my life as well.
I pray for your wisdom also, Dee. I appreciate this study as I have grown in the Lord so much since I started. It is really challenging me and I need that so much. Praying for Julie & baby (Your mother was such a beautiful bride!)
No, the idea of a wedding showing forth Christ’s marriage with His church is something I learned in early childhood when I was in my mother’s primary SS class.
I agree with Rebecca I have learned a lot from this Bible Study and I don’t think I really expected to learn this much but I feel that God led me to this study. I am been praying that God would take over my new life as a widow because I had no idea how to live as a single person since I have been part of a couple for almost fifty years. I think God has been telling me through this study to let go and lay the control of my life in His loving,competent Hands. This has brought me a since of relief and the Bible Study has also helped give me some insight into some of my client cases. Still praying for Julie and baby.
1. Comment on the introduction – is the idea that a wedding is a picture of the Gospel new to you? What thoughts do you have?
No, it is not a new idea to me. A couple of verses came to mind after reading the introduction and the comparisons of a wedding and the gospel:
“To Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy…” (Jude 1:24)
that picture of the father walking his daughter, the bride,
down the aisle to present her to the groom
“I will betroth you to Me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion. I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will acknowledge the Lord.” (Hosea 2:19-20)
reminds me of the solemnity of the vows taken, that this is a
lasting covenant we are entering into. But certainly looks forward
to the day we will be united perfectly with the Lord, forever.
Jesus often referred to Himself as the Bridegroom, and some of His parables used the imagery of a wedding banquet.
I will pray for wisdom for you, Dee, concerning this new book.
I have learned alot from these studies, and the way we studied the
Psalms had helped me to pray differently and to read the psalms in
a different way, looking for the imagery in them and learning the
lament in many of them. Last week’s study impacted me because I
never thought of the story of Sarah and Abraham in that way, and how
the way of slavery versus the way of freedom affects my life today.
I realized there are alot of areas in which I am in bondage to slavery and not living free.
I agree that I am also deeply affected by this study. Lord, I pray that You would help each of us to walk fearlessly into all that You have prepared for us. Bind the enemy on every front as he tries to stop Your work in our lives. Guide Dee as she writes this new book. May Your power and love be transferred to the lives of women all over the world, changing them into the image of Christ. Prepare Your bride. Please show us how to be beautiful. Amen
Never have I known my need so acutely.
Anne, Amen.
1. Comment on the introduction — is the idea that a wedding is a picture of the Gospel new to you? What thoughts do you have?
It isn’t new to me but my thoughts have gone so far as the father walking the bride down the isle to present her to her husband, but I haven’t thought about the rest of the picture of a wedding in detail applying to the gospel, but it is true when you think through it.
Last night I was channel surfing and came upon a show-don’t know the name because I don’t watch it, but a man was a wedding planner and he planned a wedding for this girl. When she walked out in her white dress she was radiant, happy and giggly. Almost like a little girl. She felt like a princess. She was thrilled and when the groom saw her it was priceless to see his face. She melted his heart. When he looked at her in an adoring manner I couldn’t help but relate that to Jesus and us-his body.
2. When the first bride is walked down the aisle by God the Father and presented to Adam, how does he respond in Genesis 2:23? Why was he so excited? (Genesis 2:18-20 may give insight.)
She was made suitable for Adam-she was literally made from his body-a perfect helper made for him to complete him. God said it is not good for man to be alone, so she perfectly met that God given need in Adam.
You have each been so encouraging to me — I appreciate that so much. You are also so helpful to me with your insights.
My agent will talk again to Zondervan about this this week, and I covet your prayers. And thank you so much for praying for my daughter-in-law, Julie, who will be induced tomorrow.
Thank you!
It’s fun to read your good answers…encouraging…
Can anyone recommend a people search site to me? I suddenly have a serious need to locate a friend from high school. There are so many sites out there…
All I know about is 411.com, Anne
Thank you Joyce. I tried that but I think I will have to pay some money and that’s why I want to be sure I get a reputable site. I think she may have fallen on hard times and that is why we can’t find her. We came up in a very difficult time. I have been so blessed by the Lord but I’m afraid she has not yet trusted Him.
Anne,
I just got back to the computer and haven’t caught up with the Bible Study. Will comment on your request for a website: Recently I read a newspaper article in which the author described his process of checking out himself through a variety of the websites that come up in our attempts to locate someone. He said that the only info he received from the searches was what was already available to the public through an extensive search on “free” search engines — and much of it wasn’t even accurate.
I know someone who was a detective who had access to more “official” websites for work. Not sure if they were government related? I guess I wouldn’t recommend sites I know where you have to pay to find someone. (I will ask the person I know, but you might be able to get some info just by calling a local police dept and asking how to start searching)
Thank you Renee. If you can find out anything I would appreciate it.
1. I must say that I have never thought of a wedding as a picture of the gospel and I do feel over matched with this one.
Jesus had to clean us up first. I don’t think most husbands see this need in their wives, at least not before the wedding. Jesus provided for my purity. Is this a husband’s responsibility? It seems to me that a bride is prepared by her parents who stand representing God, so I see that similarity. I see also that a husband, and a wife also, raise each other up, encouraging growth, as iron sharpens iron. At least that is how it should be. There is similarity in the commitment, a lifetime, for better or worse. I also see similar unconditional love.
2. Adam responds by saying ‘at last’. I think that is sort of humorous. Something was missing but did he know what? Don’t we do that also?
God created all of the animals first. Creation had such order but not in this case. He let Adam feel his need first.
I like the “At last” too — especially because Adam hadn’t had that long of a life!
You are right — husbands don’t clean us up before the wedding –
only Christ has that power. The white wedding gown has interesting symbolism however — Jesus refers to it in a parable and again in Revelation — and it seems to say two different things, but they actually go together. There’s a riddle for this good student!
Lord, thank you that you are with Julie right now. Make your presence felt and known and I ask that you would protect her and her little one right now. Lord I ask that you would give Julie strength and focus as she goes through the labor process and thank you Lord that you have given her John who is a huge source of strength and comfort for her. Thank you for this wonderful gift of life you have given to John and Julie, show them your great love and mercy and wonder as this new little one takes his/her first breath. Thank you Lord for children as they are such a huge blessing given to us and designed uniquely by your hand.
Anne and Dee,
Where is “At Last”? I use NASB normally and I looked at a few other versions.. Hold on.. Is it after “This One” and some versions must have cut it out, or is it what “This One” means?
I was surprised to see that it is not in NKJ or NASB. I was using Holman Christian Bible. It says “This one, at last, is bone of my bone…”
We had some thunderstorms roll through earlier this afternoon. Just as I was going to submit my comment the electricity went off and then I had to wait for the lightning to stop. Thankful for the rain.
1. Bro. Olan, my late pastor, (his middle name was Love) would state in his sermons that one day God the Father was going to turn to his Son and tell him it was time to go get your bride. I had a verse from revelation in mind for this answer and as I was checking my notes from Bro. Olan’s study on Revelation (he hand wrote his notes and made copies for the congregation-all the notes from his various studies are among my most precious spiritual treasures) I came across a quote he made about the Bride of Christ. I’ll share it after the scripture.
Revelation 21:2,9
“And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband…And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plaques, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.”
‘Never forget God did not save you for you sake. God did not save you that you might shout His praises or walk on the streets of gold. God Almighty sent His Son to die on the cross that you might be saved-and God saved you FOR CHRIST’S SAKE! For the sake of His Son, God redeemed you, in order that His Son might have a Bride-spotless, holy, and without blemish. YOU are part of that Bride.’
Bro. Olan stepped into eternity almost 13 years ago, but his sermons still echo in my spirit and mind. It was he who first made truth plain to me concerning spiritual adultery and with Dee’s studies I have etched this truth on the tablets of my heart. When I show more affection to something other than my Bridegroom, I commit spiritual adultery. Paul’s admonishment to the Corinthians in 2 Cor. 11:2 also gives us a picture of the bride of Christ: “For I am jealous over you with godly jealously: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ”.
As far as knowing how all the elements of a wedding point, other than covenant, to the gospel I do not, but it makes a fascinating study.
Dee, your mom was a beautiful bride. I’m also praying for your Julie and the new grandchild.
2. We may not think Adam’s response to Eve was very romantic. At first glance it seems he was just continuing to follow God’s command to name what ‘I bring before you’. I tried to imagine Adam’s face when he first saw Eve (I peeled and chopped pears for a couple of hours this morning so this question gave my brain something to chew on). I thought how he must have been at first speechless. Here he was looking at another person as himself except she was built different. He looked at her perfected beauty and honestly appreciated Eve as God intended for man to appreciate woman. Sin was unknown so everything they did and shared was perfect. The tone of voice when they spoke to one another was always pleasing. It’s hard for me to imagine constant gentleness in speech. There was no complaining. Just consistent gratitude for one another. Being created first Adam knew the Garden of Eden quite well and how he must have delighted showing Eve all of God’s unique creation. But, let’s get back to his inital response. This is my paraphrase: “You are as me. Same bone. Same skin. But, since God formed you differently, I call you Woman-mother of all to follow”.
Adam was really excited because he finally had someone to hold and hug. I’m sure he thought of them working side by side in the garden. And, most importantly, they never missed the opportunity to worship God together.
Gloriadelia, if you are there, I have a young mother of 3 related to me that took the treatment for alcohol about 4 months ago & she is taking it minute by minute struggling & praying & praising God all the time on facebook. I’ve never gone through this but I remember you saying you did. She is praying for a study or someone to help her. I forgot your website that you have. I was thinking of you when I was praying for her. Maybe I could connect you two if you agreed. She loves the Lord & is stuggling every day to stay sober. She has not slipped up any but I’m so worried for her. Her name is Joann if anyone would like to pray for her, that would be wonderful. She has had a very difficult life & has 3 little kids. She’s trying so hard to straighten her life out.
I’m reading & ponderng this weeks study.
Lord, I pray for Joann. This life can be so difficult. Please lift her up right now and encourage her with Your presence. May she have strength in You to rise above her addiction. Bless her 3 children and strengthen them as they grow. Bring people into their lives who will bless them. Bring satisfying and godly friendships into Joann’s life also
2. God said it was not good for man to be alone, that he needed a helpmeet. Adam said this being is part of me, bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh. He accepted her as the other part of himself. She was a part of Adam as the church will be a part of Christ.
3. I think this is going to take a couple of days and not just one entry because I came across something I have never realized before. God created marriage between man and woman to give us a picture of what our relationship with Christ was going to be. Human marriage did not come first but God wanted us to have a picture of what our relationship with Christ was going to be like. First He described this to Israel. Isiah 54: 4-10 “Do not be afraid; you will not suffer shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood. For your Maker is your husband-the Lord Almighty is his name-the Holy one of Israel is your Redeemer; The Lord will call you back as if you were a wife deserted and destressed in spirit-a wife who married young,only to be rejected,” says your God. For a brief moment I abandoned you but with deep compassion I will bring you back. In surge of anger I hid my face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you says the Lord your Redeemer.
I will have to continue this tomorrow as it is late. But there is more which you all have probably already found. This was a challenging question.
Love what you found, Judy,thanks!
Wow, Everyone’s answers are so good! I am getting so much just skimming through them with the short amount of time i have this morning! Can’t wait to read more later! This is going to be really rich.
I am having a VERY productive morning so far ladies.. I am heading to the store. Normally I have my q.t. in the very early a.m. but for today God had different plans.
Dee, I prayed for Julie first thing this a.m. let her know I love her and am thinking and praying for her throughout the day.
When I get back from the store I am going to delve in!
1. Comment on the introduction — is the idea that a wedding is a picture of the Gospel new to you? What thoughts do you have?
Yes and No. Yes because since a child I have heard that we (the church) are the bride of the Lord. I know there is scripture in the bible that says we must be presented to the Father without blemish or wrinkles on our garment. (please excuse if I quoted the verse incorrectly). No, because I’m not sure I have studied it detail or in relation to the gospel. I do know that it will all ultimately tie together and I’m looking forward to finding out here 🙂
2. When the first bride is walked down the aisle by God the Father and presented to Adam, how does he respond in Genesis 2:23? Why was he so excited? (Genesis 2:18-20 may give insight.)
He responded with joy and I imagine he must of experienced a sense of responsibility and ownership because he said “this is now bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh”.
Adam was excited because the Father gave him a helper that was suitable for him.
3. Challenge question: Why is a wedding a picture of the Gospel? (See above notes — and bring any Scriptures that you feel help clarify this.)
I believe a wedding is a picture of the gospel in that Jesus Christ (through His redemption, love, grace, faithfulness) presents us to the Father to be wed and become one. I first understand that it is only through the blood of Jesus (the gospel) that we get this opportnity of becoming His bride and one day see Him face to face – wow!
I am not that good in memorizing verses since I’m a beginner so please excuse me. However, I don’t want to miss this.
Thank you so much!
OK I am taking a stab at the riddle of the wedding garment. Revelation 19:14 the armies in heaven are clothed in fine linen, white and clean. The footnote says that army refers to the church, tribulation believers, OT believers and angels returning with the Lord not to do battle but to reign. In Revelation 3:5 Jesus says ‘The victor will be dressed in white clothes, and I will never erase his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge him before My Father and before His angels’.
In Mt 22:11-14 after the servants combed the countryside to bring in guests for the wedding feast a man is thrown out because he does not have on a wedding garment. Jesus says that many are called but few are chosen. The guests were actually the bride and Jesus was the son.
I don’t know how to word a riddle but I think the truth here is that all must be clothed in the white wedding garment of purity that is provided only by faith in the finished work of Christ. He is the gate and the narrow way. The man without the garment tried to come in to the wedding another way (possibly a Jew who kept the law but rejected Christ?)
Anne, I concur with your last paragraph,and great connections in scripture to the wedding dress. I was curious..How does the wedding gown fit in with Eve? They were without sin at that time. What do you think? There is so much here my head is spinning. 🙂
That is a great question and I have been thinking about it all day at work. Maybe the necessity of the wedding garment at the marriage of the Lamb came after the fall. Perhaps no covering was needed before. Perhaps no marriage was needed before (I mean between us and Jesus). That leaves the question of where the white wedding dress in the traditional ceremony came in and what does it signify.
Oh, the white gown symbolizes virginity…duh
Anne, LOL! 🙂 right. That makes sense.
I am thinking through this right now, and have been for about an hour. =) I need to rest on this and come back in the morning. Man, is this good.
Julie gave birth to a healthy baby girl today.
Octavia — because she is their eighth. (She had two miscarriages.) They will call her Tavie. We are soooooo thankful for a healthy baby. Four little girl cousins this summer. So thank you all for your prayers.
Congrats to Julie, John and everyone in the Brestin clan!! God is so good!
Praise God!
Dee, How wonderful that all went well. I love my grandsons but I sort of would like a little granddaughter.
Congratulations Grandma Dee!!!! Love your new grand’s name. Sounds very 1st century Greek. God has greatly answered your prayers this summer.
Thank You Lord. Congratulations Dee. What a quadruple blessing!
2. What parallel do you see between this first wedding and our wedding to Jesus Christ? (See Isaiah 62:5) How is it possible, given our sin, that our God will rejoice over us?
God prepared Eve for Adam, they were both sinless when God brought Eve to Adam. It is like us, when we see Jesus face to face His work will be completed in us, first was the covering of our sins past present and future by the blood of Jesus, so we are justified before God-as if we never sinned, and then there is the atonement-we are one with Jesus, and there is sanctification-the cleansing process while we are here in conflict with our sinful flesh. God works in us to make us into the image of Jesus.
God will rejoice over us because when he sees us he doesn’t see sin because our sins were taken care of at the cross, and alas when we see Jesus face to face our sanctification will be complete.
I also see something else but I am having a hard time putting it together or saying it right. It could be because I am off base and trying to fit something in there that isn’t significant, but I think every detail of scripture is. 🙂
God fashioned Eve from Adam’s rib and then brought her to him. The fact that she was made from his rib and not the dust of the ground obviously indicates God made them one, but if you relate that to our wedding with Jesus there is a deeper significance I think, I just can’t figure it out right now.
I am looking forward to anyone’s answers on this and some help with it as well. I really think this is important.
Just an f.y.i. since school has started, I am watching a dear friends kiddo’s before and after school, so I have a lot to prepare ahead of time with my four kiddo’s and making sure things are done around here. My boys get up really early now and it cuts into my q.t. sometimes, so when I get to thinking through this I get interrupted a lot it seems. I do have to go to get everyone ready, but will be back if time allows this afternoon. LOVE this study so far I am really thinking.
I could be wrong but I see our union with Christ-becoming one when we come to know Him similar to Adam and Eve’s union, and I see the similarity of God taking Adams rib and preparing Eve to present to him as he does with us-preparing our hearts prior to salvation-wooing us, molding our hearts, to the point where when the decision comes to hand our lives over to Jesus and become one who could say no?!
2.B I see the parallel between the first wedding and our wedding to Jesus Christ to be ….and [God] brought her unto the man. God is the one who arranges our marriage with Christ. I love the way Rebecca so beautifully expressed her answer: ‘wooing us-molding us to the point where when the decision comes to hand our lives over to Jesus and become one, who could say no?’. That’s exactly what happened to me. I ran from God for several years and will never forget the Sunday I returned to church. As soon as my foot hit the ground God’s Spirit started speaking to me and as soon as the pastor issued the invitation I got to the altar as fast as I could and surrendered. I gave up running. These past 20 years God has been molding me-sanctifying me so one day he can present to my Bridegroom .
Rebecca also covered my first point as to how God will be able to rejoice over us. When he looks at us now he sees not our sins but the righteousness of Christ. I also believe he will rejoice over those who in this life remained faithful to Christ and attained victory over sin.
My schedule too has changed. I’m working 6 days a week so I’m grabbing study as I can. I try to ponder when I’m working and even heard a teaching on the ‘white garment’ via the radio program Back to the Bible today as I was traveling home for lunch. I’ve got to stop and go to choir practice. Got another thunderstorm rolling in.
Rebecca, I like how our thoughts are similar. Seems to me we are on the right track.
I had to skip #3. Maybe I’m just tired but I can’t seem to put it together.
2. There is a parallel between the first wedding and our wedding with Jesus in that just as Eve was created for Adam, so we were created for God. God will rejoice over us as a young man rejoices over his virgin bride. If she were not a virgin the rejoicing might be diminished somewhat. While we are not pure, Jesus redeemed us and covered us with His righteousness so that God can rejoice completely over us.
4. Is Genesis 2:23 Adam’s song? The three most important aspects of marriage are found in Genesis 2:24 1) a man leaves his father and mother 2) bonds with his wife 3) they will be one flesh
5. Paul quotes Genesis 2:24 and says that it applies not only to earthly marriage but also to the relationship of Christ to the church.
1. The idea that a wedding is a picture of the Gospel is not new to me, but only in recent years have I realized this. My thoughts that I have is excitemnt to be the bride of Jesus when the Lord comes for us.
2. Adam responded to God with excitement over Eve because he was given a helpmate, made from his bone & flesh & called her woman (which means “one who answers”}. (Don’t tell my husband this!!} I’m thinking how Adam must of felt because at the first momment he layed eyes on Eve, she was pure, without sin & so lovely, like a beautiful young bride is. He might of thought she would always be like that…without sin & young & beautiful.
No. 2 of 2 The parallel that I see between this first wedding & our wedding to Jesus is that we will be pure & sinless & like a virgin & God will rejoice over us, just as a bridegroom rejoices over the bride. (Isaiah 62:5) It is possible God will rejoice over us because we will be cleansed & forgiven of all our sins & pure in every way. Just like in Ephesesians 5:26 & 27, “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sancify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that he might present the church to himself in splender, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. That’s how I want to Lord to present me to Jesus!
3. Challenge question. A wedding is a picture of the Gospel because (Rev. 21:2,3 & 9&10) we will be prepared as a bride, adorned for her husband, coming down out of heaven from God and we will dwell with God. That is a beautiful picture to ponder!
4. I studied & looked for the answer to this one all afternoon & am still stumped by it. I’m looking forward to some of your answers to it!
5. It says that Esphesians 5:31-32 applies not only to earthly marriage but to something deeper..what is that? Is it that we should become one flesh with the church, as the bride of Christ, just as the husband & wife become one flesh?
Sometimes I feel so inadequate. You all are so much more versed in the word than I. But I am searching the bible & learning so much from this wonderful study. Please be patient with me!
Thanks Anne for answering no. 4! I didn’t see that and it was right in front of my face!
Heavy day at work yesterday and kept five year old grandson last night so I got seriously side tracked. Continuation of 4. Jesus is the bridegroom, the church is the bride. God chose Jesus’ bride before He laid the foundations of the world. Jesus will unite with His bride, the body of believers at the second coming. Christ says he will never leave us or forsake us. Quote from John Piper,” Marriage represents covenant keeping love between Christ and His Church and the devotion of the Church to Jesus. Jesus always comes for His bride, never abandons her, never abuses her,always comforts her, always protects her, always loves her, always delights in herand always welcomes her back when she strays. He will never leave His bride. This made me miss my husband, because within human boudaries he did all of those things and was a great representative of the marriage covenant.
When a man and a woman are married they are joined as one. Paul calls this a profound mystery and says it is the same for Jesus and the Church.
6. When a man “leaves” his family and takes a wife it does not mean that he abandons his family or ceases to love them. He does not stop communicating with them. It means that he puts his wife and children’s good first. He takes responsibility for them and makes choices based on what is good for the wife and children rather than what is good for his parens or siblings. It doesn’t mean he shouldn’t think about his birth family just that his first thoughts must be about his nuclear family. to be continued.
4. After Adam breaks out into song, Moses states the most importance verse about marriage in the Bible. It consists of three parts — what are they?
Anne, yes I looked it up and it is Genesis 2:23. I didn’t know Adam was singing there. How cool is that!
* A man will leave his father and mother.
* Be united with his wife.
* They will become one flesh.
5. In Ephesians 5:31-32, Paul says this verse applies not only to earthly marriage, but something deeper. What is that?
* It applies to Christ and the church.
Judy, I loved Piper’s quote. Thanks for sharing that! 🙂
Good morning Sisters!
I have a rare Friday afternoon off tomorrow and after lunch I plan to be in front of my computer sharing my answer to the challenge question. I’ve got a full work day today and I hope to be able to connect tonight. This study is great! Blessings to all and I pray each one of you have a tremendous time of fellowship with our Lord. Love ya!
Love you too Tammy.. Have a great day and night tonight, can’t wait to hear your answer! 🙂
Continue #6: Jesus left Heaven in order to come to earth and woo his bride. It was very painful for Him, not only did He die in agony for us, He came to a sin stained world which must have been very painful for Him. He lived and suffered all that we do, He didn’t have to but did it for us because He loves us so much.We are to honor Christ and be willing to leave everything for Him.In the final analysis God and Jesus are our everything. We can depend on nothing and no one else.
In the past seven months since my husand’s death I have become more and more aware of the fact that God is our all in all. No matter how much you love something or somebody God and Jesus are the only ones who can always be there for you. In the words of a hymn from my childhood,”I’ll live for Him who died for me.”
6. Leaving:
Earthly marriage: What does it mean for a man to “leave” his family? Does this mean abandonment? Why is this important for a healthy marriage?
* When a man leaves his family, he doesn’t disown them, he leaves physically to ‘join’ with his wife now and they are his new family. She is now his priority. He brings her into his family and she brings him into hers, so there is a union of the family as well, but the family isn’t the head of the marriage, God and the husband are.
* God designed it to be God as the head or in the center of the relationship of the man and wife, not the man’s earthly family. It can cause all kinds of problems including division between the man and woman when the man’s or the woman’s family gets in the middle. It must be hard for mom’s to let their sons go I must say! We shouldn’t stick our noses where they need not be. 🙂
6. The parallel with Christ: How did Jesus leave His Father in order to woo His Bride? Was this painful for Him, do you think?
*Jesus was with God before God wrapped him in flesh and sent him to be born here to woo us with his sinless life, and then die for our sins on the cross and triumphantly rise from the dead, so Jesus had to leave God to be born here on earth, but Jesus is God so he didn’t really leave God.. The only time in scripture where God turned his face from Jesus was when Jesus was soaking up the sins of the world on the cross, and that was painful for Jesus having God turn his face from him. By then Jesus had been in the process of wooing us and he went through some painful times prior to the cross, but his death on the cross was painful physically and then spiritually when God turned his face from him.
6b. In the psalm about Christ and His bride, how does “leaving” apply to us, according to Psalm 45:10-11.
* Our earthly father and ‘his house’ are what we are to forget-perhaps ‘forgetting’ the influence and power over our lives of our earthly father and our earthly family-taking them off the throne. Our desire changes from entrusting ourselves to our earthly father and family to entrusting ourselves to Jesus and putting him on the throne in our lives.
6C. How could you personally apply this?
*What matters most is Jesus’ opinion of me, my decisions, what I do, not my families or anyone elses. If I need counseling I will go to a godly counselor who uses scripture as the authority because again Jesus is on the throne in my life rather than man. I just had a thought, I can also take back and put on the throne some of the old habits I drew from my family growing up that aren’t pleasing to God.. O.K. now God is speaking to me here and I can sense the bubbling up of some yuk God is going to need to wash away. Ouch!
3. Challenge question: Why is a wedding a picture of the gospel?
A. The white wedding garment
Isaiah wrote: “…though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;… In his letter to the church at Sardis, Jesus tells them “he that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment…” (Rev. 3:5) John tells us in Revelation 19:7-8 that the bride of Christ has made herself ready and she will be ‘arrayed in fine linen, clean and white’ He goes on to write in v.8 ‘for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints’
Here’s what I believe the white wedding garment represents-when the bride of Christ stands with her heavenly bridegroom, she will be clothed with mercy and righteousness. On that day she will (finally) be without sin. In this verse the Greek word for white means splendid, gorgeous. The bride of Christ will indeed be radiant on her heavenly wedding day. Her white wedding raiment will be a testimony to her life lived for Christ.
B. God the Father arranged the marriage. The bride was chosen for his son before the foundation of the world.
I’m going to go 1 Peter 1:20 for my thoughts on this topic. “Who [Jesus] verily was foreordained (God planned and determined in His eternal counsel to provide His Son as a sacrifice for His people-planned and decreed it) before the foundation of the world…” This verse tells me that before God spoke the world into being He already knew-because He planned it that way-to bring Christ and the nations of the world together as husband and wife.
C. God covenants with His own, for better or worse.
This is one of my favorite biblical subjects. For the benefit of those who may not know covenant means agreement. In the Jewish culture, covenat was the most solemn, binding agreement that could be made between two parties. In covenant, two no longer live independently. Two become one. The Gospel is displayed in the new covenant by the good news of the Lord Jesus Christ being made sin for us so that we who were sinners might be made the righteousness of God. As the bride of Christ my covenant relationship with with God is a relationship that supercedes every other relationship on this earth.
I’ve just come across a quote from my Precept Covenant study notes:’We really don’t understand fierce, ferocious loyalty. Pugnacious loyalty that grabs on and hangs on and says, “God, I am Yours-no matter what. Unto death I am Yours. I am going to be loyal if it costs me my life.” That’s what God wants…and that’s what Jesus gave us. He was loyal unto death.’ Because I am a covenant bride of Christ my heart is to be faithful. I am not to want to walk in any sin because I love my covenant partner.
In a marriage ceremony rings, which as we know symbolize committment, are exchanged. I may be going out on a limb here, but I want to submit that the cross was ‘the ring of committment Jesus gave his bride’ Paul wrote in 2 Cor 5:21 that God hung Jesus on a tree. Jesus who knew no sin, was made sin for you and me.
In his book, Abraham: Friend of God, Dr. Henry Blackaby lists four things we can expect God to do when we are in covenant with Him:
1. God will regularly affirm His Covenant relationship with you.
2. God will regularly reveal His Covenant by intervening in your life and saving you out of your failures.
3. God will affirm His Covenant with you by openly blessing you with victory and blessings so all will know He is your God, and you are His servant.
4. God will constantly reveal more and more of Himself so you can grow in your faith. The more you know of God, the more you can trust Him and obey Him. This is an open-ended Covenant of Love!
D. One day each believer will see Jesus face to face and be forever united to him.
John wrote of the day we wait for in Revelation 22:4: “And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads”.
4. Three parts of marriage in Gen 2:24
1. Leave 2. Be joined 3. Shall become one flesh
5. Paul says this applies to Christ and the church.
6. What does it mean for a man to ‘leave’ his family?
In the Hebrew the word leave means to loosen. As God intends a boy matures into a man and desires to have a wife. Man meets woman, they fall in love, get married and begin their new life together living apart from their respective families.
Does this mean abandonment? Not according to Exodus 20:12. Children, no mattter how old they are, are commanded by God to look after their parents. Christians are to pray for their parents and meet legitimate needs. ( I learned the latter part of my statement from Jan Silvious)
Why is this important for a healthy marriage?
When a man gets married his wife should be the number one woman in his wife. If a mother has properly raised her son she won’t see him getting married as losing him, she will see that she is gaining a daughter. In healthy relationships the parents understand their children must go be on their own without any interference. When boundaries are respected chaos is avoided.
How did Jesus leave His Father in order to woo His bride?
The Creator became as one of his creatures. He was born a helpless baby and allowed his earthly parents to teach him what he already knew. When the time came Jesus loosed himself from family responsiblilies and began his three year ministry which culminated with his death on the cross.
Was this painful for Him?
Yes. I think it was very painful for Christ to leave the presence of his father in heaven. How hard it must have been at times knowing he could command the angels to come and help him but he chose not to. As the God-Man, Jesus experienced emotional, mental, and physical pain. And on the cross he died, not just physically, but spiritually for us. He was willing to experience total separation from the presence of God for our sins.
In Psalm 45:10-11, how does leaving apply to us?
Jesus is to be my top priority. I am to loose myself from the ways of the world and follow his commandments. Not only am I to loose myself from the world, I am to loose myself from myself. I am to give up all and absolutely surrender to him.
How can I personally apply this?
I can personally apply this by giving less time to the world, i.e. watching tv or indulging in temporary pleasures. I also need to make sure I am reading God’s word as much or more than I read books for personal growth or pleasure.
Well sisters I have had a delightful Friday afternoon. I had lunch with a friend and came home to a fascinating Bible study. I hope to finish up tomorrow. I love how the Lord arranges for me to have a much needed break from work. My client was in the hospital for a week and half with a blood clot behind her knee. The Lord healed her and she is off visiting her sister. I hope everyone has a blessed Friday evening with their families.
wonderful answers, giving much food for thought.
Tammy, This is well thought out and right on.
Good stuff Tammy, especially about God’s covenant with us. Henry Blackaby’s #2 point goes right to where I am today. God will constantly intervene in my life to rescue me out of my failures. That is an answer to what I have been pondering this evening. Namely, why does God allow me to fail so much? Maybe He delights in rescuing me. Thank you for sharing that.
6. Leaving-When a man marries his world center shifts. Instead of being part of a family he is the head of a family. When he was a child his parents were placed by God in authority over him. Part of their responsibility in raising him was to gradually move out of the position of authority until he was able to function under God. When he marries he is then placed by God over a family and he is responsible to God for them. This begins with a wife.
He does not abandon his parents, but he is no longer dependent on them.
The parallel with Christ: How did Jesus leave His Father in order to woo His Bride? Was this painful for Him, do you think?
Jesus left heaven and the constant company of God the Father to walk this earth in the company of sinful men. Because He loved us, I think the physical presence on earth was precious to Him but I think the separation from the Father was very painful for Him. In reading the gospels it is evident that He spent much time in prayer and not as a duty to His Father. It was out of desire because of His love for His Father. In this I see that my prayerlessness is not so much a discipline problem as it is a heart problem. If I really knew the Father and loved Him as Jesus did would I have to discipline myself to pray?
To cleave to means to stand by, stick to, cling to, hold to, be devoted to, abide by, be true to. If husband and wife both cleave to one another in an earthly marriage than there will be a true spiritual relationship and the marriage will be rooted in truth and the children born of this marriage will feel secure in their family and will learn how to be married and how to cleave to God.
Psalm 45:10-11 seem to say that in order to enter into the full marriage relationship the bride must cut the heart strings to her people and her father’s house.
I can apply this to the things that I love about this earthly life, things that I may love more than God. It is so easy to love the things that are here and now, tangible things. My pastor says that as we drive the gospel deep into our hearts we can’t help but love Him more than we love our idols until they are no longer idols(my paraphrase).
7A. Cleaving means a man and woman are bonded together with God’s spiritual superglue. In an earthly marriage there is we-not me and you.
If a couple truly believes God has put them together for His eternal purposes then absolutely nothing can drive them apart.
B. God is abgry with men of Judah because they have thrown away their legal brides for pagan women. The men of Judah also incur God’s wrath because they have desecrated and dismantled God’s holy thing-the institution of marriage.
C. Parallel with Christ-scripture passages.
If we are faithless
He remains faithful;
He cannot deny Himself.
2 Tim 2:13
I am coming back for you…John 13:3
…I will never leave you nor forsake you. Heb 13:5
7. Cleaving
**It is hard to get my thoughts organized and out on paper the right way to the many distractions I have most times, so bear with me, I am sure this will sound scattered!:)
A. As Applied to Earthly Marriage: What does cleaving mean, and how should this impact a couples’ perspective of marriage?
* Cleaving means joining as one in a life long covenant between husband and wife designed by God. The couple commits before God in a ceremony of this covenant and God makes them one. It is sealed.
*Leaving and cleaving means that they are no longer in a single state but they are literally one with another-glued together until death do they part. Both husband and wife are to be faithful to this commitment. Their purpose as one is to reflect God’s covenant, and His covenant with believers isn’t short term and can’t be torn apart ever.
B. In Malachi 2:10-16, the prophet thunders at men who have broken their marriage covenant with the brides of their youth, casting them aside to marry younger pagan women. What reasons does God give in Malachi 2:14-15 for his anger with these men?
* God was a witness between the man and his wife. So their actions made them represent God in a horrid way.
* They acted treacherously against their wives-the one they made a covenant with before God.-again this is a bad representation of God and his covenant.
* V.15-Holman translation says “Didn’t God make us with the remnant of His life-breath and what does the One seek? A godly offspring.”-I love this translation.-God was angry because this will effect their offspring in a negative way spiritually. Perhaps shedding a bad reflection on God in their childrens’ minds that they can’t trust in His faithfulness to them, and even if they did trust Him at some point in their lives, it would be a stumbling block for them to be consistently confident that God would never leave or forsake them.
**running out of time, will finish up tomorrow! See you guys then and have a blessed Sunday worshiping Jesus with your brothers and sisters!
** Wait, I just had a thought.. This might be off but I also think God was concerned at the tearing up of the marriage in regard to the children because of what the husband, wife, children represents.. It represents the trinity.. O.K. now i have to go! 🙂
Rebecca, I do think you have something there. Definitely something to ‘chew’ on! If our families are a picture of the trinity would they not produce ‘godly offspring’ spiritually speaking. How many children have been drawn to God through godly families that they knew or grew up with? I was.
Psalms 45:10-11
How does LEAVING apply to us. How can I personally apply this. It says in my bible {the psalms above} to forget your people and your{earthly} father’s house. Leaving our earthly family when we get married certainly doesn’t mean to abandon them, but we surely should not cling to them anymore. It’s important for a healthy marriage because our husband needs to feel like he is our sole provider and companion and our soulmate.
I can see how I failed my first marriage so much by not knowing & understanding God’s intent for our marriage. We lived too close to my parents & my mom interfered way too much in our marriage. I should of stood up to her but I was raised to respect my parents and couldn’t tell her. Then dad died and mom practically lived with us. It was a very difficult time. My husband left us that year.
CLEAVING:
What reasons does God give in Malachi 2:14-15 for his anger for these men? Because they were faithless to the wife of his youth and that God witnessed the covenant between them. For God hates divorce. Find passages that show this cleaving depends on Christ’s faithfulness. I found this passage in Deuteronomy 10:20. “You shall fear the Lord your God; you shall serve him and cleave to him, and by his name you shall swear.”
What I take away from this week’s study is what I should of known years ago about God’s requirements of marriage & didn’t know as I was a new christian & had not been raised in a Godly family. I let my mom interfer…that was the part of LEAVING & CLEAVING that did not take place. I was still cleaving with my parents.
Through my experience, divorce is like separating two glued pieces of paper because it does rip you into. Even tho my first marriage was for only 10 years, it ripped my heart into shreds when he was unfaithful and left me. My daughter, Kyla, was 9 years old and Trevor was 5 yrs. and Kendra a newborn. Trevor doesn’t have that many memories of it but…Oh my…Kyla does!!
Kyla was ripped into so much. She felt like her daddy left HER, not just me or all of us, but HER alone. She felt like it was HER fault and she completely broke down and it is STILL painful to her and she is married and is 32 years old now. She went to a mental hospital when she was about 14 years old after trying to overdose on some pills and she has had many years of counceling to help her deal with her daddy leaving. Her dad didn’t even care and wanted nothing to do with them especially Kendra born with CP and seizures. Trevor was growing up without a daddy to play with him and do things with and Kyla was growing into a young lady. Funny thing is after 20 years, he still has nothing to do with Kendra & very little with Kyla (mostly because it is her choice} and wants Trevor to come to CA to visit him all the time. He only really wants his son. Trevor goes, I think because he longs for the dad he grew up without. They are the only ones close to each other. Divorce is something you NEVER get over. Kyla went into helping others through her probation officer job, with disfunctional teens. This is why I was helped so much with this week’s study.
Joyce, thanks so much for sharing this with us. I am so sorry for all that you had to go through. Kyla’s life is a good example of God’s ability to bring beauty from ashes. In spite of, and perhaps as a result of all the pain in her life a beautiful young woman resulted, using her hardships to help others.
Yes, she has & you said it better than I could ever have! Thanks.
Joyce
You have such a loving heart. Thank you for sharing your past journey through much adversity with us. You are certainly not inadequate when it comes to bible study and prayer. I think sometimes we all feel inadequate. Every time I write something I wonder if it will make sense to someone else. God has blessed us so much with the encouragement we give one another. I hope in eternity we’ll continue to meet with one another on a regular basis.
Joyce, Thanks so much for sharing and I agree with Tammy, you certainly aren’t inadequate when it comes to bible study and prayer, God has given you great insight and a very teachable heart. Your adversity is humbling to me and to see how you are pressing on in your faith is encouraging!!
Thanks so much
Thank you, Tammy
Joyce, You all went through so much hurt but it is a blessing that Kyla let God use her pain to help others who are hurting. And Jesus will never leave us or abandon us regardless. You have a beautiful spirit which shines through your words and thoughts.
8. My take away from this week’s study is the John Piper quote Judy shared.
….Jesus always comes for His bride, never abandons her, never abuses her, always comforts her, always protects her, always loves her, always delights in her and always welcomes her back when she strays. He will never leave His bride.
Why?
I think I’m beginning to grasp that Jesus will never treat me as the men in my life have. Abandoned by my biological father, never truly loved by my step-father, and betrayed by my husband. I have heard for 40 years how much Jesus loves me but until I lived through the past most difficult five years of my life, I could not see how much Jesus really cares about me. I have written Piper’s quote on a notecard and plan to keep it tape to my dresser mirror so I can remind myself everyday how much I am truly loved. I still have much healing to do but I know the hardest part is already behind me. Joyce is right, you never get over your marriage dying, you learn to live with the reality of the situation.
Dee, thank you for obeying God’s leading to take us on this journey. You have taught me much about God’s design for marriage. But most of all, I now see myself as Jesus does, a bride being readied for her bridegroom. Looking forward to next week’s study.
Tammy, One of the worst sorrows in life is to be abandoned and we all rejoice over the fact that Jesus will never abandon or reject us. Your words and thoughts have been very insightful and inspiring during this Bible study and I want you to know that.
I agree with Judy! Your thoughts are very insightful and inspiring, and I love the way you ended it with where God has you now.
Tammy, you have come through so much & I can tell how much you love Jesus and have grown in your faith because of your trials. You have been such an inspiration for me through out these lessons, as have all of you.
7a. When a couple marries each should understand that it is for their entire lives. There is no can be no partial commitment. They should have no reservations or plan B for if it does not work out. As already mentioned, to separate will injure both of them and their children also. I looked cleave up in the dictionary and was reminded that it also means to divide as with a meat cleaver. I know this is not the meaning we are looking at here but it makes me think of what divorce does to the heart. Time may seem to heal the wound but I think many times it is only scarred over.
b. The reason for God’s anger with the men of Israel was their treachery toward their wives. They broke their covenant before God with their wives and did not produce godly offspring. They may have produced offspring but their actions did not teach them to be godly. Neither did they treat them as God would have because they did not love and honor their mother.
c. Genesis 28:15 Look I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, I will bring you back to this land, for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you. (God to Jacob at Bethel) This verse is quoted in Hebrews 13:5 where the Hebrews are told to be satisfied with what they have, for He Himself has said, I will never leave you or forsake you.
Psalm 89:8 LORD God of Hosts, who is strong like You, LORD? Your faithfulness surrounds You.
I love this one especially. More sure than the rising of the sun every morning. Psalm 89:2 “Faithful love is built up forever; You establish Your faithfulness in the heavens.”
The best one has been mentioned already. He cannot be unfaithful because of who He is so His faithfulness does not depend on us at all. 2 Tim 2:15 if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEE!!! I hope I’m right on saying it is sunday the 22nd?? Have a very wonderful day. I appreciate you so much!!!
Good morning ladies!
Have enjoyed and gleaned so much reading through all of your answers.
Didn’t have time this past week to delve into this; we moved our oldest son back to college and got him all settled into his dorm room;
last week of summer vacation for my daughter, and had a wonderful night on Tuesday with my dad.
Took dad to my friend’s church for the Tuesday night prayer, where I had gone to pray for him and mom. Dad got to meet the man who started this prayer ministry and who had prayed for him; this man is dying of cancer and came Tuesday night but couldn’t stay long because he was in too much pain. But I can’t tell you or describe what it was like to see this man stand and pray over my dad, and then my dad get up and take hold of him and say “I hope to see you again” and the two of them seemed to be saying that their future meeting was not going to be on this earth. It was just a precious time. Am praying for God to lead my dad to a church, and this one is not too far from his home, and these people are so loving they are truly like one big family.
We prayed for my mom, too, for her heart to be softened to God, and that she will come, too. Another concern is that dad’s legs are becoming weak and he has had trouble walking; believe it is from the 20+ years he was on statin drugs for cholesterol; he stopped taking them 6 months ago, but he is having a hard time with his legs.
What a miracle, though, to have that experience with dad. Thought of you, Rebecca, and your dad – catch a vision for your dad and keep praying!
Loved your insight, Anne, also on prayerlessness, that it is not a discipline problem, but a heart problem. I can so relate to that. I think, for me, it is a matter of still not feeling totally secure in my relationship with the Lord; I know the verses, but I have to get them into my heart and believe them for myself.
Appreciated your sharing of your journey, Joyce, and how God has seen you through those difficult times.
Tammy, you helped me with your post above on how Jesus will never treat me as the men in my life have. Partly due to my own fault when I was young and unmarried; I was not a Christian and certainly had sin in my life as far as relationships with men, but looking back I can see how I was used. As a married woman, my husband has let me down many times by not being there for me when I faced health problems; he just can’t deal with it and is not supportive. I do not feel “cherished”, or “delighted in” by my husband. I am not the perfect wife, either, but I so wonder what it would be like to have such intimacy and companionship and tenderness. I’ll have to reflect on that quote by John Piper, too.
I also want to wish Dee a Happy Birthday, too, and wow – what wonderful birthday blessings have come your way this summer with all your new granddaughters!
Susan, wow.. I so appreciated your follow up on your dad and how he is doing. What a heartwarming event when the one who prayed for your dad met him and prayed with him.. God is so good! Keep praying for my dad! It must have been such an encouragement for your dad to meet the man who had been praying for him. What a blessing. 🙂
Susan I am praising God for your dad and that wonderful experience he had praying with that man with cancer. ( I will pray for him also.) Are your parents divorced? I’m praying for your mom and Rebecca’s dad also. Nothing is impossible with God. And lots of mom’s are feeling very lonely leaving their children at college this week. I talked to two of them here going through that empty nest syndrome & it’s heartbreaking to let go. Kid’s are excited and parent’s are sad. You are such an inspiration to me!
7 C. The parallel with Christ. Christ cleaves to us, will never leave us or forsake us. Find passages that show that this cleaving depends on Christ’s faithfulness. If we are truly His, we need not fear that He will walk out.
* Philippians 1:6 says that He who began a good work in you will carry it out to completion until the day of christ Jesus when he returns.
* In John 4:1-29 The Samaritan woman at the well who had 5 husbands whom I am sure left her with a dist-trust of men. She was hesitant to trust Jesus, but He pursued her.. He knew she would show up at the well, and then he sat with her and spoke with her, a Samaritan woman whom the Jews never associated with and men didn’t treat well. Instead of running away, she asked questions. Eventually she realized this could really be the Messiah. This says a lot about Jesus faithfulness toward us. I think this was the first man that this woman knew she could trust. Jesus shows her who He is and that she can trust in Him because he is faithful.
* Romans 8:38-39- “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life nor angels nor rulers,nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will have the power to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
* Also Hebrews 3:1-6 talks about Jesus being our faithful High Priest.
*2 Tim. 2:15 has already been mentioned but it is excellent. Even if we are faithless, He remains faithful.
8. What will you take away from this week’s study? Why?
* I too have the abandonment thing due to being brought up in a divorced home. I also have an ex-husband from when I didn’t know Jesus, who left me right after I came to know Jesus. I was a new believer and I started to work on my marriage. God showed me I needed to, but I came home one day from work and my husband and all of his things were gone. I found out he also had a girlfriend, and had filed for divorce. This was a shock to me, but I wasn’t a great wife either. First my dad, then my husband.
My first five years as a believer I didn’t want to re-marry-ever! It was good because God used that time to prepare me. I was so hurt by my dad leaving and my ex husband that I would have anxiety attacks every time I would date someone.
God brought me my current husband after about eight years being single. My husband represents Christ to me in the way of faithfulness and in how he cares and loves me. I couldn’t be more blessed. My husband even has teary eyes a lot-he is a sensitive man, yet pretty tough too.
My problem is that I have had a hard time excepting this kind of love for me. I am not used to a man who sacrifices as much as my husband does for our family. I am used to them leaving. He isn’t perfect by any means, but God brought me someone who is an earthly representation of Jesus. That said, God is teaching me through this study that He doesn’t want me to put my trust in my husband or to rely on his faithfulness to meet all my needs because he can’t be perfectly faithful in that sense. Only Jesus can.
I think this study has deepened my ‘falling in love with Jesus’. I am his bride and I am so in love with him even more now because I feel so close to Him, why? Because he is deeply close to me, and deeply involved in every aspect of who I am and in my life.. I am in his hands and he will never ever leave me. I am confident of that, more confident now than I have ever been.
This study has been something God has used to heal me in this area in my relationship with Him. Whenever I mess up, like yesterday and my flesh rears it’s ugly head-due to this peri-menopausal state I am in, I am confident Jesus isn’t going to throw in the towel with me and walk away. I also desire more now to press on to maturity rather than hide away when I have issues with sinful attitudes and stuff because I know how deeply Jesus loves me and is faithful to me.. Oh wait a verse just came to mind…Lamentations 3:22,23 “For the Lord’s loving kindness’ indeed never cease, they are new every morning, great is thy faithfulness!” -I used to quote that verse all the time-but now it has a deeper meaning in my life..
He isn’t done with me yet and I am looking more forward now than ever to seeing him face to face when He has completed his work in me.
This study has also taken my face and helped me to focus heavenward rather than on my circumstances. This blog has become a well of water for me as we all dig in the word together. It is like us giving each other drinks of fresh cold water.
Rebecca, I love all the verses you found, they encourage me so much. You have been abandoned way too much in your young liftime. I’m so glad you have such a wonderful husband now. My husband sounds alot like him also,very tender and sensitive too. I think God allows us to go through trials so we will put our trust in him alone. Your faith shines through so clearly & I feel your excitement and happiness in loving and leaning on Jesus!
Dee, is everything ok with you? We miss hearing from you.
Thanks Anne — I flew to Kansas City for the weekend because all four grand-daughters are here so I’ve been baby baby baby baby
busy. I’ll be back in Wisconsin tomorrow night, but will be reading and posting a new post tonight!
That’s so great to get all the babies and families together!! (for your birthday?) Hope you have a fantastic day today.
Dee,
Happy late birthday! I got to hold Tavie early Friday evening at a get together Julie and John were at. My heart melted, she is SO precious. What a blessing!
That is wonderful. So happy for you Dee. Birthday blessings.
8. I look forward with even greater anticipation to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb and to eternity as the bride of Christ. I think because I see now that this is what I have been created for and for that reason it is what I desire. It is becoming clear that there is nothing on this earth that will fulfill the longing in my heart because I was created for eternity with Christ. I still battle with feelings of unworthiness that I am beginning to see as spiritual warfare. Thanks to our sharing I now have an arsenal of verses I can speak to my soul in the trenches. It is not because I am worthy but because He is faithful. It is Who He is and He can never change.
Another thing that I would like to remember is how to allow my sons freedom to leave home and cleave to their wives when the time comes.
So many good thoughts — I will read them over again. Right now there is always a baby crying — but I’m loving it.