Lofting over at The Loft. And today's topic is intimacy with Yeshua (Jesus). I had to take some time to think about this topic, because it is one so close to my heart. Much of what my husband and I talk about when we teach is all about going deeper with the King. I really feel this is such a deep topic and one that is very personal, so I am going to give my thoughts on intimacy instead of my own personal journey.
Every believer wants to be the bride, but the Bible is clear that only those who truly set themselves apart will truly be the bride of Messiah. True intimacy can only be achieved when one desires holiness and pursues a lifestyle of holy living. In the Bible, the original word for holiness is "kadosh" it means to be set apart. The concept of holiness is deeply embedded in the ancient way that the Hebrews were married. Hebrew couples become engaged or betrothed to one another at a very significant meeting held with both fathers of the bride and groom. Once the bride accepted the terms of the marriage proposal, both her and the groom drank from a single cup together and technically they were married (although the marriage was not consummated yet). The groom would leave with his father and go to prepare a place for his bride. This place is in fact a home for her and was often built on to his parents house. This process can take one to two years to complete. During this time the bride and groom never lay eyes on each other again until he comes to fetch her on the wedding day. She needed to remain pure and set apart for her beloved and she needed to ready herself for her wedding day. She had to make appropriate garments for the ceremony and she had to dedicate herself to preparing for marriage. The groom on the other hand, sent his bride gifts, usually she would use these gifts to prepare herself for their marriage. Only once the grooms father approved of the home his son had built for his bride, only then could the groom go and fetch his bride and the groom would do so in the grandest sense! The community would join in the procession that would walk - while blowing shofars and carrying torch lamps, all the way to the brides house. She in turn would hear the procession coming and she would dress herself with the garments she had prepared and she would go out to meet the groom. Together, they would journey back to the grooms parents house and they would stand under a wedding canopy, known as a chuppah and ratify their vows to one another. They would drink from the final cup together and then they were formally married and the marriage was consummated in their new home.
The entire process of marriage in the ancient days, is a beautiful picture of Messiah and the way He will come and fetch his own bride. But only those who have made themselves ready and have been faithful while He has been away for over 2000 years, only those who have spotless garments, will be able to go and be with Him forever.
There is another beautiful picture of the bride and her set apart intimacy for her King, it is found in the Song of Songs and I would like to recommend that you read it. Throughout the Song, the bride pursues her beloved deeply and with everything she has. She empties herself out to be entirely His.
This is how we should be with our beloved, daily laying down our lives to Him, so that we can have a Heavenly fragrance about us. So that we can walk closely to Him in surrender and Grace. Intimacy is a matter of depth in our relationship with Messiah, intimacy comes through sacrifice, commitment, surrender and love. An individual who walks intimately with the King is always easy to discern, because they have a holy fragrance about them, they are different and they give life to others around them. May we ourselves pursue the King with all we have!
What a beautiful post! Thank you for sharing that historical information that has given me some great thoughts!
ReplyDeleteHi Ren! Pleasure, I really enjoyed this post writing it was so easy! I am gla dyou were blessed. :))
DeleteAliyah, thank you so much for sharing this beautiful picture with us. I remember studying some of this in Bible classes in high school, and I was always fascinated by the time the groom took away from his betrothed. You've portrayed a beautiful image of the groom caring for the bride from the details of the proposal through the building of the home which would represent caring for her during their marriage. Thank you, Aliyah! (I hope you saw my return comment to you on my blog? Blessings, sweet friend!)
ReplyDeleteHi Rebekah - thank you bless you dear friend. I did not see your comment on tyour blog? But I will try to go locate it now! Many blessings
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