In both the Old and the New Testament, marriage is utilized to represent the tender and sacred union that exists between Christ and His people. To the mind of Jesus, the gladness of wedding festivities pointed forward to the rejoicing of that day when He shall bring home His bride to the Father’s house, and the redeemed with the Redeemer shall sit down to the marriage supper of the Lamb. He says, “As the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you” (Isa. 62:5, NKJV). “You shall no longer be termed Forsaken” (vs. 4, NKJV). “But you will be called, ‘My Delight’ . . . for the Lord delights in you.’ . . . God will rejoice over you” (vss. 4, 5, NASB). “He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing” (Zeph. 3:17, NKJV.)

Scripture concludes with this same glorious theme. When the vision of heavenly things was granted to John the apostle, he wrote: “I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, ‘Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready. And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright. . . . Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’ . . . These are the true sayings of God” (Rev. 19:6–9, NKJV).

Discussion Questions:

   What are the practices in your society and culture that could easily lead to the abuse of the physical pleasures that God has given us? How can you help educate others, especially young people, about the dangers of abusing these gifts? How can you show them that by following the principles and laws that God has given us, people will be in a much better situation to enjoy life than they would be if they followed the customs and practices of society that go contrary to the principles in God’s Word?  

 In the civil laws God gave Israel, there is another reminder of God’s romantic nature. What kind of honeymoon does God suggest for a newly married couple? Deut. 24:5. What do we make of that time frame given them?  

Summary:

For many moderns, God has dwindled into a noble “example.” Or He has been diluted into a concept useful for organizing world peace. He’s not, however, seen as a Personality whom we can feel any love for. But Scripture insists that God is a passionate lover. Reflect on the difference that makes for the different doctrines of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

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