Grace Fellowship Church Pastor/Teacher - Jim Rickard Sunday, August 25, 2013

The Book of Proverbs Chapter 9 Wisdom Prepares a Wedding Feast. Vs. 1-6

Three main parts to Chapter 9:

Three main parts to Chapter 9: 1) Wisdom’s final exhortation to receive her, vs. 1-6.

Three main parts to Chapter 9: 1) Wisdom’s final exhortation to receive her, vs ) Introductory principles of wisdom applied, vs

Three main parts to Chapter 9: 1) Wisdom’s final exhortation to receive her, vs ) Introductory principles of wisdom applied, vs ) A final depiction of the adulterous woman “folly”, vs

Jewish Customs for Marriage related to the Plan of God for the Church!

Mat 22:2, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son.”

Mat 22:2, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son.” Vs. 14, “Many are called, but few are chosen.” Cf. Rom 8:29-30

John 14:2-3, “In My Father’s house are many rooms. I go to prepare a place for you. And, if I go to prepare and place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.”

Mat 24:36, 44, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. … For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.”

Mat 25:10-13, “The bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut.”

John 3:29, “He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made full.”

Rev 19:7-8, “Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready. 8 It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.”

Father = God the Father. Bridegroom = God the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Servant = God the Holy Spirit. Bride = The Church, Eph 5: (Israel has its own bride-ship analogy, Isa 54:5-8.)

Ancient Customs and Practices of the Jewish Marriage and Christ’s Fulfillment of them.

I. Marriage Covenant and Bride Price.

A. The Contract: The young man would prepare a contract or covenant to present to the young woman and her father at her home. It included the “Bride Price.”

Prov 19:14, “House and wealth are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.” Cf. Prov 12:4: 18:22.

B. Jesus’ Fulfillment: Jesus came to the home of His bride (earth) to present His marriage contract, the New Covenant, Jer 31:31; Luke 22:20; 1 Cor 11:25; 2 Cor 3:6; Heb 8:8-13; 9:15ff; Heb 12:24.

Luke 22:20, “And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood.”

Jesus paid the “bride price” with His life. “This is my body given for you”, Luke 22:20. Cf. Heb 8:13; 1 Cor 6:19-20, 1 Peter 1:18-19, Acts 20:28; John 3:29.

II. The Cup of Contract. A. Cup of Acceptance: If the “bride price” was agreeable the young woman, the young man would pour a cup of wine and she and her father would drink.

B. Jesus’ Fulfillment: Mat 26: Jesus poured the 3 rd Cup of the Passover, the redemption cup, and the disciples drank from it, thus accepting the contract. Cf. Mat 20:23.

We drink of the Eucharist Cup, sharing in the contract agreement! 1 Cor 11:23-26

III. Gifts for the Bride. A. The Giving of Gifts: The bridegroom would present the bride with special gifts.

B. Jesus’ Fulfillment: 1) The giving of the Holy Spirit, John 14:26; 1 John 4:13. 2) Spiritual gifts He gave and those given by the Holy Spirit. Eph 4:8; Heb 2:4.

IV. The MIKVEH. A. The Mikveh: A cleansing bath to prepare herself for her bridegroom in the hope of his return to gather her to himself.

B. Jesus’ Fulfillment: Jesus provided for His bride with the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:4; Cf. 2 Cor 1:22; Eph 1:12-14; 4:30.

Acts 1:4, “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

V. The Bridegroom Prepares a Place. A. Preparing a Place. During the betrothal period, the bridegroom would prepare a wedding chamber.

B. Jesus’ Fulfillment: Jesus would go to prepare a place for His bride, John 13:1-3.

Mark 13:32-33, “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.”

Grace Offering Prov 3:9-10, “Honor the LORD from your wealth and from the first of all your produce; 10 So your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will overflow with new wine.”

Grace Fellowship Church Sunday August 25, 2013 Tape # Proverbs Chapter 9 Ancient Jewish Marriage Customs and Christ’s Fulfillment of Them With His Church Prov 9:1-6; Mat 22:2; 24:36, 44; 25:10-13; John 3:29; 14:2-3; Rev 19:7-8 James H. Rickard Bible Ministries 2013