Faithful on Fridays Blog

The Bride: Scene Five

Let’s recap what we’ve learned so far viewing Scripture through the bridal lens of intimacy.

• Before the foundation of the world Father God planned for a Bride for His Son.

• The Spirit was hovering over the earth because the Bride was on the horizon.

• This chosen people would know God in bridal intimacy and be spiritually joined to Him.

• This type of jealous, bridal love was burning in God from the beginning and continues to burn for us today.

• Enjoying intimacy in the Presence of God every day should be our priority.

Some people think the Old Testament isn’t very important; as New Covenant people we don’t need the ‘religion’ of the first covenant. I respectfully disagree. The lower stories of the Old Testament give us insight into our lives as believers when we live out those upper stories in Christ. Let’s look at two of these stories and make the connections.

The father of our faith, Abraham, was privileged to have one-on-one conversations with God and encountered Him in an intimate meal (Gen. 14:18-20); Jesus briefly became man to entertain His servant and friend. God called Himself the King of Salem (shalom) and Melchizedek, the King of Righteousness. He’s truly the only One who brings wholeness and awards right standing in His Presence. During this special alone-time they enjoyed bread and wine (foreshadow of communion) as the Son of God pronounced a blessing on Abram. He also called Himself God Most High, Possessor or Redeemer of heaven and earth. Abram would need these promises of God’s character, the coming Spirit, in his future,

… so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith. Galatians 3:14 

Next we come to Moses: the Deliverer. After leading the chosen ones out of their bondage these same people proceeded to turn away from God offending and angering Moses. How did he respond? He built a tent in the wilderness away from everyone where God met him; in that secret place he experienced FaceTime with God. These two men were familiar with bridal love; they met with God because they intimately knew Him. That type of relationship is available to any believer today if you’re willing.

When Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent, and the Lord would speak with Moses. Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend … Exodus 33:9, 11a 

Abraham and Moses were not superspiritual men; they were men who knew where their help was. Sometimes I wonder if we realize that the Holy Spirit was sent for that purpose: to help us know Jesus. Abraham and Moses had the Spirit working through them, but we have the indwelling Presence of the Spirit. Understanding bridal love may be new to you, but it’s available, nonetheless, every time you sit privately with Him.