As the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you. Isaiah 62:5
Two entire books of the Old Testament are devoted to showing the love of God through the analogy of marriage.
The first is the Song of Solomon, which portrays the joy of love. Solomon is in love with a beautiful woman, and he comes to claim her as his bride.
Why is Song of Solomon in the Bible? One reason is that it teaches us about love and marriage. Another reason is to impress on us the intensity of God’s love for us.
Here is the relationship God has with you in Jesus Christ. Here is how God regards you in Christ: “As the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.”
It’s that personal. It’s that intense. It’s that wonderful! If you know what it is to find joy in loving another person with great intensity, you have a glimpse into the heart of God.
The other example in the Old Testament is the book of Hosea. Hosea portrays the pain of love. Hosea was a godly man who walked with God. He was a prophet. But his wife, whose name was Gomer, was not a godly woman. Gomer left Hosea and threw herself into a lifestyle that nearly destroyed her. Hosea’s heart was broken. He loved his wife and he could not stop loving her.
Why is this book in the Bible? To impress on us the intensity of God’s love for us. If you have experienced a broken heart; the pain of love that is not returned, you have a glimpse into the heart of God. God knows the joy of love and God knows the pain of love.
Which of these two messages about God’s love did you need to hear today? Why?
