Anatomy of The Bride (Part 1)

Introduction

Today’s talk is called “Anatomy of The Bride.”  A study in two parts that I hope to continue next week.  I am also preparing the NM study for this coming Friday, (“A Step Forward”) but I do not want to wait for two weeks to continue with a topic once it has begun.

 

We have looked at the characteristics of the Biblical bride in previous studies on New Moons, e.g., “Attributes of The Ideal Bride” and we have applied this to both individual humans and Churches.  We have, using Proverbs 31 as a general outline, looked at the positive qualities of personality and temperament, such as diligence, kindness, capability.  These have all clearly shown a kind of person that each Christian, not only the female members of Christ’s Body, must be, and the spiritual concepts have been easily applied to the Church as a whole.

 

Today I would like to talk about the physical attributes of a bride, for we read in Genesis that we are created in the “image” of Elohim.  Christ was declared to be the “express image of His person,” (Heb 1:3) meaning One that represents visibly those things that are a part of the Father’s invisible Person.  What we will see, then, is that even the physical characteristics of human beings represent various elements of Elohim’s nature, and by looking at how a “Bride” is described in the Scriptures, we will be able to examine some necessary characteristics of the Church, and its members, that may be overlooked or underemphasized if we ignore these symbolic elements.

 

One of the Biblical books that gives a very detailed account of a woman is the Song of Solomon.  This is a Book that is rich with symbolism.

 

One of the passages that praise a bride, or a bride-to-be, are the following.  I am selecting, from this passage, only a few of the major characteristics.  In fact, I am choosing those that have “Two witnesses” in other Biblical books, as these are those that I consider to be the most “defining” of a bride’s anatomy, and there are several things we will therefore discuss:

 

Songs 7:1-9

 

We may now extract a list of physical attributes that, like personality traits, have spiritual meanings, and these can be applied to both individual members of the Body of Christ, and the Church as a whole.

 

1) Hair:

 

Songs 7:5

 

A “second witness” to the importance of this physical attribute is found in the New Testament, speaking of the hair of women.  Paul writes: 1Cor 11:13-15.  Some Churches, even some individual Adventists, believe that “head coverings” is appropriate or necessary for women who appear in places of worship.  We understand from verse 15, and a contextual study (“Because Of The Angels”) that this is not really the case.  What it boils down to is the use of the word anti in the Greek of 1Cor 11:15; long hair is given to a woman anti peribolaion, or “instead of a[n artificial] head-covering.”

 

In the Corinthian passage, Paul writes that a woman’s hair is her “glory.”  As you know, not only in conservative Christianity, but also in other Abrahamic religions, (such as Islam) a woman’s hair is a sacred thing, and it is often covered in public.

 

What may be said of the glory of Christ’s Bride?  The prayer of Yahshua recorded in John 17 reads:

John 17:20-23

 

What does it mean that we are given the glory that the Father gave to the Son?  We find a very clear parallel when Paul discusses the marriage relationship among Christians.  Back in Corinthians we read, 1Cor 11:3.  This is the same chapter where hair and head coverings are discussed, and this is not a coincidence.

 

We read of an unusual marriage proposal in the Book of Ruth, Ruth 3:8-11

 

Ruth asks Boaz to “spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid,” or to cover her with his garment, and this was both a symbolic gesture that meant that she was under his protection and a part of his spiritual condition.

 

When a man and a woman are married, we read, Mat 19:4-6

 

This is our glory, our connection with the Father through the Son.  In fact this is our only “glory” as a people, and it is through connection with Christ, the Head of the Church.  This is stated in verses such as: Jer 9:23, 24

 

The hair of the Bride, therefore, signifies our “marriage union” with divinity, our “glory” that is obtained by having us covered by the righteousness of Yahshua.  We read another passage that alludes to this: Psa 91:4

 

2) Eyes:

Songs 7:4

We read, from another passage in the Song of Solomon, Songs 4:1

 

What would “eyes” represent?  Let’s read a passage from another Old Testament book:

 

1Sam 9:9

Prophets are called “seers,” particularly in the older books of the Bible:

2Ch 35:15

 

In the book of Revelation we read of the characteristics of the Church of Christ,

Rev 12:17, and traditionally this is followed up with:

Rev 19:10

 

I say “traditionally,” because Seventh-day Adventists tend to use this to justify the presence of Ellen White’s writings as an inspired source of information for the Church. We have come to understand, of course, that the “Spirit of prophecy” is just that, a spirit that gives the Body wisdom, insight, and direction.  It is not limited to any one person, but is given to all who gather in the name of Christ to pray and seek His will regarding what His people ought to do.

 

Luke 11:34

The eyes provide direction, and discernment for the Body.  It is not only about predicting the future, but about knowing our present duties, before Heaven, to best edify the Church and purify its members.

 

3) Nose:

 

Not very much written about this in the Bible, but what is written is revealing.

Songs 7:4

 

Symbol of physical beauty, interestingly enough, in the older mindset.

 

Application is that it is a sign of character, for we are interested in spiritual beauty, in the grace of the life:

 

Lev 21:17-19

Isa 65:2-5; aside from another witness about dietary purity being pleasing to God, because it preserves His people in proper health, this is where that famous phrase “holier than thou” comes from.  It shows that people who act in this manner are an offense to God’s character, to His “nose.”

 

How we receive blessings to give others:

Gen 2:7

 

A delicate part of the anatomy:

Pro 30:33

 

Indicates sensitivity:

Gen 34:30

 

4) Mouth/Lips:

 

Songs 7:9, 4:3

 

Obvious application, speaking the truth with a strong testimony.

 

Pro 19:1, 23:16, 24:28

 

We have covered the importance of a strong testimony.  Many hear the Victory message and, even if they like the idea, think it is prideful or unnecessary to declare the great thing that Yahweh has done for us through the Person of His Son, and the presence of His Spirit.  A few verses to highlight its necessity:

Rom 10:9; Rev 12:10, 11; Heb 13:15, 16 (this last passage shows the importance of communication to both Yahweh and to our fellow humans, cf. Mat 10:32, 33)

 

Our work, our evangelism, has at its heart the idea revealed in Psa 66:16-20.  Theology, Bible studies, etc., have their place, but we are no different than any other group or sect that wins converts if we are not declaring with our lips the victory with which we have been blessed.

 

5) Neck:

 

Songs 7:4

 

Second witness:

Hos 10:11

 

Note the reference to plowing a field.  This is a common symbol in the Bible.  A “stiff neck” signifies rebellion:

Deu 31:27

 

Other verses speak of Israel, when it is rebellious, as “a stiff necked people.”  The imagery is of an animal that will not follow the direction of a master.  We control an animal by controlling the head, James 3:3.  If they wish to resist the guidance of the master, they must do so by stiffening their necks so their heads cannot be turned.

 

Application?

Eph 5:23

Eph 4:11-16

 

The entire structure of the Church depends upon its connection to Christ, just as the function of a body depends upon its connection to the head, and the neck is the connector of the two.

 

Spiritually speaking, the neck represents prayers, and the powerful connection to Christ that both guides the Body, and allows it to receive nourishment and life from the source of its knowledge and power.  The more fervent and frequent the prayers, the more closely connected to the head the body will be, and the more effectively it will function.

Pro 3:19-22

Conclusion

First five characteristics: