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Beloved Day 12 Seasons Of Love: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Seasons Of Love!

The Questions

1) Why might the woman have paused before opening the door to her loved one (verse 3)?

2) Why did the man not continue to wait for her to open the door (verse 6)?

3) Verse 7 seems to indicate abuse of the woman. What might be the significance of this being included in the passage?

4) How does the woman express her disappointment of not finding her loved one? (verse 8)

Song of Solomon 5:3-8

3 I have taken off my clothing. How can I put it back on? I have washed my feet. How can I get them dirty? 4 My love thrust his hand through the opening, and my feelings were stirred for him. 5 I rose to open for my love. My hands dripped with myrrh, my fingers with flowing myrrh on the handles of the bolt. 6 I opened to my love, but my love had turned and gone away. My heart sank because he had left. I sought him, but did not find him. I called him, but he did not answer.

7 The guards who go about the city found me. They beat and wounded me; they took my cloak from me—the guardians of the walls. 8 Young women of Jerusalem, I charge you, if you find my love, tell him that I am lovesick.

Original Intent

1) Why might the woman have paused before opening the door to her loved one (verse 3)?
Since this book is not a chronological account of the events between Solomon and his beloved, there are some difficult passages to unravel. This one is no exception. In verse 2 of the chapter, we read the bride’s words, “I was sleeping, but my heart was awake.” As in chapter 3 verse 1, we are left with questions about the sequence and the reality of the couple’s actions in this scene. Is the young woman dreaming, or is she at the drowsy verge of being awakened? Since many Bible commentators have come to different conclusions, it seems unnecessary to dwell too long in a discussion about this. More importantly is the big picture. In these verses we encounter a scenario of a real-life relationship which included human responses. The young woman knows her loved one is at the door, but she is either too tired or too lazy to get up, get dressed, and open the door for him. David Guzik says, “her problem was not that she didn’t go to the door; but that she did it so slowly and reluctantly, making excuses all along the way. [This reveals she was] thinking only about her comfort and not at all about Solomon’s desires or her relationship with him.” (enduringword.com)

2) Why did the man not continue to wait for her to open the door (verse 6)?
The woman’s lover reminded her that he was standing on the outside waiting. “Open to me, my sister, my darling, my dove, my perfect one. For my head is drenched with dew, my hair with droplets of the night.” (verse 2) Whether or not the terms in verse 4 are explicit references regarding sexual intimacy, the scene certainly portrays an active pursuit of one lover desiring to be with the other, but being met with rejection. I think the best interpretation is to read this within the framework Guzik describes as a “missed connection” between the bride and groom, and therefore we should apply it literally rather than symbolically. (enduringword.com) The groom has been waiting patiently outside the door of the bride’s room. As he was leaving, he likely placed myrrh on the door handle as was customary in ancient settings. We are not given the reasons why the woman paused, but the delay causes her beloved to leave. It does not appear he was angry with her, and the emphasis again seems to be on the passion of the bride once she realizes his loving gesture. The bride’s emotions are awakened and she has legitimate feelings of despair because her loved one can’t be found.

3) Verse 7 seems to indicate abuse of the woman. What might be the significance of this being included in the passage?
In chapter 3 we read how the watchmen were helpful to the woman as she frantically sought her beloved. But now verse 7 seems so out of place. What is happening? In then-current day, there were two sorts of watchmen in a city. One guarded from the inside of a city wall to ensure all those within were safe and secure. The others were placed on the walls themselves to watch and give notice of an enemy approaching. (Bible Study Tools, David Gill) The watchmen on the wall would be aware that the only women who would be on the streets at night were prostitutes. Not realizing who she is, they treat her with inappropriate disregard, even abusing her. Whether a dream or reality, we surely feel the stab to our hearts as we read what the bride endured as she runs out into the night. She so desires to find the one she loves that she risks her wellbeing to search for him. Nothing is mentioned about her response to what she experiences, but we share her anguish over not finding her groom. These verses are communicating unrelenting passion and desire between a bride and her groom at all costs.

4) How does the woman express her disappointment of not finding her loved one? (verse 8)
We have read in the previous chapters how the couple speaks to one another with words describing their longing for, and their satisfaction in, one another. Here in verse 8, the bride begins to plead with the women of the town to help her find her groom. It appears she has deep regret over her rejection of his advances, and she now wants to let him know how much she longs for him.  In Song of Solomon 2:4-6, the bride expresses her soul’s desire toward her new groom in those pleasant moments of marital intimacy and passion. She was overwhelmed by the presence of love and the joy of lovemaking. Here in chapter 5, the young woman aches over the distance she has created with her beloved. She has become physically and emotionally ill due to her yearning love for him. She asks the city’s women to “tell him that I am lovesick.” The Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Hebrew OT) uses the verb titrosko which means inflicted with a wound, injured, damaged. The Shulamite woman is emotionally and physically overwrought. (preceptaustin.org) Within the context, we can surmise she is craving more moments with the groom. She grieves the way she let him slip away due to her unwillingness to respond when he came to her.

Everyday Application

1) Why might the woman have paused before opening the door to her loved one (verse 3)?
We don’t know all the motives behind why the bride doesn’t go to the door. She expresses it would be somewhat of a hassle since she has already changed clothes, whether it is weariness or laziness, we are not sure. What we discover as we read further in the passage, though, is that she regrets her inaction to open the door to her beloved. While there will be times in marriage that one person lacks a desire to make much effort toward intimacy (due to fatigue or distress), we should not make it a habit to neglect our spouse’s need for sexual and physical closeness. This will likely require ongoing conversation and work in our relationships as we strive for a healthy marriage. As we think about this in spiritual terms, we can also pray for our hearts to be receptive to our Beloved Savior. Bible teacher Harry Ironside says this is a great picture of our own callousness toward Divine Love. “When [Christ] comes to the heart’s door we practically say, ‘No; it is inconvenient. I do not want to drop things right now.’” What an even greater tragedy to reject God’s perfect love. (John 3:16-19)

2) Why did the man not continue to wait for her to open the door (verse 6)?
The bottom line of this verse is how the groom was demonstrating his desire for his bride. He was patient. He did not force his way in, nor did he demand her to meet his expectations. Instead, he waited and then quietly slipped away, but not before leaving a symbol of his love. What beautiful restraint and gentleness was shown by this man. Although his loved one did not receive him in the way he expected, he chose kindness. Putting a fragrance on the bolt handles would have been akin to leaving flowers by the door. Sometimes in marriage we don’t feel the emotional attachment to our husband. When that happens, we can begin by praying for God to stir passion in us. Years ago, I heard a woman Bible teacher talk about how she prayed for her marriage. She said one of her prayers was that she would “always thrill to her husband’s touch.” That is a good start! Whether we are the initiator or the one waiting, our goal should be to demonstrate unrelenting love. Friend, maybe you feel that any sign of promising light is so far in the distance you are unable to see it. I pray you will not lose hope. God will be faithful as you pursue a passionate and lasting marriage.

3) Verse 7 seems to indicate abuse of the woman. What might be the significance of this being included in the passage?
The picture of the beloved bride of the king being assaulted by his own watchmen is appalling! Whether she is dreaming or is in fact walking around at night like a prostitute, she is a desperate woman in search of the one her heart longs to be near. She has felt the pangs of dismissing her lover’s kind and patient pursuit. It has been said that “absence makes the heart grow fonder.” I doubt that is always true as I have seen absence push people apart. But one of the ways we can create a healthy kind of distance that inspires desire is to rehearse the benefits of being married to our husband. When marriages are struggling, it is hard to find the good in the other person. Our human tendency is to rehearse our weariness with it all. As we do, we only add to our growing list of reasons not to make efforts. However, when alone with our thoughts, considering the good things of our marriage and the positive characteristics of our husbands helps stir our emotions toward desire. As the bride longed to find her beloved groom, God can restore our passions as we pray and work to bridge the gap we may or may not have caused.

4) How does the woman express her disappointment of not finding her loved one? (verse 8)
The Shulamite woman had gone from being “too tired” to being “lovesick.” She desperately went searching for the one her heart so deeply loved. She called those around her to join her in her search. Sister, enlist your own army of women to support you in your marriage. No, I’m not asking you to find friends to whom you can badmouth your husband. I am encouraging you to gather those around you who will remind you to “love your husbands … so God’s word will not be slandered.” (Titus 2:4) It is not an easy journey, this thing called marriage. But with God’s help, and with friends pointing us to Christ, we can pursue the kind of passionate relationship we read of in Song of Solomon!

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Seasons Of Love!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Beloved Week Three!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Calling Day 9 Live Worthy: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Live Worthy

The Questions

1) What is the calling received in verse 4 and how do we live worthy of it?

2) What is the gift Christ gives in verse 7 compared to the gifts in verse 8?

3) Why is there an emphasis on unity in these verses?

Ephesians 4:1-16

Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope at your calling—5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.
7 Now grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
8 For it says:
When he ascended on high,
he took the captives captive;
he gave gifts to people.
9 But what does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower parts of the earth? 10 The one who descended is also the one who ascended far above all the heavens, to fill all things.11 And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into maturity with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness. 14 Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit. 15 But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into him who is the head—Christ. 16 From him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building itself up in love by the proper working of each individual part.

Original Intent

1) What is the calling received in verse 4 and how do we live worthy of it?
When referring to the calling of the Ephesian believers, Paul reminds them they belong to Christ. Christ has called them to Himself and they are now representatives of Christ to the unbelieving world. Christ called them out of their life of sin, which brought death, and offered them the gift of eternal life. Paul is challenging the Ephesians to live as those who received that gift. Paul defines how the Ephesians can live worthy of the calling in verses 2-3, specifically, by living in humility, gentleness, patience, love, and in unity as believers. On the surface, these seem difficult, however, when Jesus is living through us these are the traits that flow out of us with the power of the Holy Spirit working from the inside.

2) What is the gift Christ gives in verse 7 compared to the gifts in verse 8?
Unlike most of the Ephesian letter, Paul takes an individualistic tone in verse 7. He is speaking to the individual believer and not the Church as a whole. Paul is reminding them of the gift Christ bestowed on them which is grace. This gift is in proportion to what Christ bestows on each individual. Gift is singular in verse 7, not plural as it is in verse 8. Paul shifts to a plural word in verse 8 and lists several of the gifts bestowed on believers in verses 11-12. The gifts listed in those verses are some of what Paul is referencing in verse 8. These gifts are given for the advancement of the Kingdom, and meant for the betterment of the entire community.

3) Why is there an emphasis on unity in these verses?
Together, the believers in Ephesus make up a local Body of Christ. They each have different gifts and roles to play. Paul is reminding them of the importance of unity throughout this section. He is speaking to the entire body of believers and not the individual. This unity is important because the church is only as good as those who are in actively working within it. As believers work together in unity, they are challenged to grow, and sharpened to work properly as Christ has called them. On an island alone, no believer can reach their true potential or calling. Proverbs 27:17 speaks to the sharpening of mankind. If there is no unity, there cannot be sharpening. We must focus on God, instead of ourselves, and allow Him to bind us together in unity if the Church is to be the Church as God designed her to be. True unity doesn’t happen without prayerful work and intentional discipline, and it doesn’t happen without staying focused on what binds the Church together, which Paul specifically states in verses 5-6. As each individual of the Church clings to the truth of unity under the truth of “one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God” (verse 4), the Church is sharpened, and each gift is better used to advance the Kingdom.

Everyday Application

1) What is the calling received in verse 4 and how do we live worthy of it?
We are called Christians, bearing the name of Christ as our identity. The calling we received is that of belonging to Him. As we grow in relationship with Christ, who we are looks increasingly more like Him. Just as the Ephesians were representatives to the world around them, so are we. We are called to be Christ’s representatives to an unbelieving world. Our lives should be an overflow of what Christ is doing in us. When we are walking closely with the Lord, it His love and heart the world sees playing out in the characteristics Paul mentions in verses 2-3. Matthew Henry writes, “Christians ought to accommodate themselves to the gospel by which they are called, and to the glory to which they are called; both are their vocation. We are called Christians; we must answer that name, and live like Christians. We are called to God’s kingdom and glory; that kingdom and glory therefore we must mind, and walk as becomes the heirs of them.” Is this what others see when they look at you? Does the world see Jesus when they see you?

2) What is the gift Christ gives in verse 7 compared to the gifts in verse 8?
“But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:7) Each of us receives grace as Christ gifts it to us. Just as with the Ephesians, this gift is an individualistic gift of grace, providing believers not with what they deserve, but with something so much better, forgiveness and life. The gifts in verses 11-12 still exist today and no single believer is given all of them. Within the Body of Christ, the Church, we each have gifts to use to advance the Kingdom and pour into His Church. Christ entrusts each of us with gifts He intends to use through us. Much like in the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30, it is our choice what we will do with those gifts. We can choose to utilize those gifts and grow them, or we can choose to bury them away, using them for selfish purposes. Sisters, are you actively looking for opportunities to serve others with the gifts He has given you, or are you hiding them away? If you aren’t using them, I urge you to begin looking for outlets to serve using the gifts God has given. The Church was designed for each of us to use our gifts for His Kingdom! We need each other!

3) Why is there an emphasis on unity in these verses?
Matthew 28:16-20 provides the call on all believers to make disciples of people in all nations. When I think about this, I am in awe that God would entrust me with the task of sharing the Gospel! However, I am quickly reminded this is not a task I am capable of completing on my own. My job is to plant seeds in those who do not know Him, and allow the God of the Universe to water and grow those seeds. I am also quickly reminded this task of making disciples globally is not one I can accomplish alone. Yes, I have a role to play, as do each one of us who trust in Jesus as Savior, but alone it would be impossible. It is only as we band together in unity under Christ, who is the head of the Church, we can accomplish the mission set before us. When the world looks to the church and sees division instead of unity, the message of the Gospel is lost. When the Church cannot come together in unity under the one who saved us, we can never reach our potential. We need each other to make us better. If we all had exactly the same gifts, viewpoints, and passions, the Church would be pretty boring, but it would also not be able to work as God intended. We need each other to have a complete picture. Therefore, I ask you, are you allowing the differences to tear us apart or looking to what unifies us to make each of us better?

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Live Worthy!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Calling Week Two!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Bride Day 14 Snapshots & Love Notes: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Snapshots & Love Notes!

The Questions

1) What is the book of Hosea about?

2) When was Israel a child? What time period is this talking about?

3) Who is Ephraim and when did God teach him to walk?

4) How is it that Ephraim didn’t know that God had healed him?

Hosea 11:1-4

When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son. The more they called them, the more they departed from Me. They kept sacrificing to the Baals and burning offerings to idols. It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them in My arms, but they never knew that I healed them. I led them with human cords, with ropes of love. To them I was like one who eases the yoke from their jaws; I bent down to give them food.

Original Intent

1) What is the book of Hosea about?
In the book of Hosea, God tells Hosea to marry a prostitute. He does, and she bears three children: two sons and a daughter. God uses Hosea’s relationship with his wife, Gomer, to teach the nation of Israel about themselves and about Himself. Throughout the book, Gomer cares little about Hosea and much about herself. She even leaves him and finds another man. However, Hosea pursues her and continually brings her back to himself. This is a beautiful picture of God and His people, Israel. Over and over they turned to idolatry, and over and over, God cared enough about them to pursue them and bring them back to Himself.

2) When was Israel a child? What time period is this talking about?
Israel began with the patriarch Abraham. In Genesis 12, God called him out of the land of Ur and asked him to go to a country that He would show him, and thus, Israel began. Throughout the lives of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph, the Israelites were babies or children, so to speak. They were slaves in Egypt for 400 years. During this time, God was molding them and shaping them into a people after His heart. When they were children in slavery, God called them out of Egypt. He called them as a father would call a son. 

3) Who is Ephraim and when did God teach him to walk?
Ephraim was one of the twelve tribes of Israel. It was after God released them from slavery in Egypt that He taught them to walk in the wilderness. They spent forty years wandering around the desert, and all the while, God watched over them. He protected them. He provided for them. He proved Himself to them over and over in numerous ways. He provided manna for food. He provided protection from other armies. He never left them and led them by cloud during the day and by fire at night. During this period, He was teaching them to depend on Him, to trust Him. He was proving His deep, deep love for them.

4) How is it that Ephraim didn’t know that God had healed him?
Despite God’s pursuit of Israel (the Northern Kingdom whom Hosea was writing to), the Israelites continued to chase after other gods, just as they did after He led them out of slavery in Egypt. The Northern Kingdom ended up right back in captivity to the Assyrians in 722BC, were scattered, and never heard from again. God had rescued them from slavery, led them through the wilderness to the Promised Land, and still, they failed to recognize all He had done for them. Throughout their journey, they looked to themselves and their own efforts. They became prideful and believed they had actually gotten themselves to the Promised Land. They forgot all God had done for them. Makes me wonder if they ever really “grew up”!

Everyday Application

1) What is the book of Hosea about?
Over and over, we fail God. We sin. We miss the mark. We can be so selfish and run after things of this world. If we’re really honest with ourselves, we know that we, too, have played the harlot when it comes to what or who we allow to be lord of our hearts. Maybe for you shopping is your idol. Maybe vanity is your thing. Could it be your husband or your children? Whatever it is, it’s a substitute for God. Yet God, in His infinite love for us, continues to chase after us despite ourselves.

2) When was Israel a child? What time period is this talking about?
I want you to think of yourself as Israel. There was a time when you were a mere child. Maybe you knew about God when you were growing up, maybe you didn’t. Even if you didn’t, God was using this time in your life to shape you and to draw you to Himself. Maybe you didn’t accept Christ until you were an adult, but according to God’s word, before that, you were a child, spiritually speaking. We were all slaves to sin at some point in our lives. It was during this time that God called us out of slavery to be His daughters.

3) Who is Ephraim and when did God teach him to walk?
Many times, after we accept Christ, we find ourselves in the wilderness wandering around, wondering where God is and why He led us here. It is during these times of trials and tribulations that God is teaching us to walk, but we certainly can’t do it on our own. If we tried, we would fall flat on our face! He is teaching us to lean on Him, to trust Him. When we don’t know where our next meal will come from, He will provide. When we’re scared about the enemies surrounding us, He will protect us. When we feel lonely, He is there!! He is using the wilderness to teach us to walk tall in His love.

4) How is it that Ephraim didn’t know that God had healed him?
As an adult, it is so easy for me to look back and see all my parents did for me! How hard they worked to provide for me and take care of me. They care so much about me! And yet, sometimes I fail to remember how God has called me out of bondage to sin, how He has provided His very Son to pay the price for that sin, and how He has never left me alone on this road to the Promised Land of eternity. I easily fall back into old patterns of trying to do things on my own, forgetting that He taught me how to walk. Somehow, I think I can work myself to the Promised Land if I’m just “good enough.” When I do this, I fail to recognize that God has healed me. He has given me everything in Christ Jesus that I need to grow up. When I recognize that Jesus plus nothing equals everything, then I recognize the fact that I am healed! I am grown, and I’m on my way to the Promised Land, hand in hand with the Love of my life!

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Snapshots & Love Notes!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Bride Week three!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Bride Day 13 Snapshots & Love Notes

Leave a Comment

Read His Words Before Ours!

Hosea 11:1-4
Proverbs 3:1-12
Matthew 2:13-15

Bride, Day 13

The first four verses in Hosea 11 paint beautiful pictures of the Lord’s love.
As I read them, I find myself challenged to apply them in my everyday life.
I can imagine the Lord speaking those words over Ephraim,
but I don’t always make the jump to include myself in that expression of love.

Who am I to evoke that level of response from the Lord?

I’ve discovered speaking Scripture with my name included, invites me to experience the expressions of His love in a deeper, more personal way. Picture them with me.

“It was I who taught (your name) to walk, taking her by the hand.” Hosea 11:3

Odds are high all of us have had the chance to watch a toddler learn to walk or have seen a video showing those first, tentative steps. The family rejoices and cheers for those steps, then move to catch her when she falls. Prior to those initial independent steps were probably several backbreaking parental moments, bent over with tiny fingers wrapped around theirs as they walk around the room.
Let your mind connect those images to the Savior…
“It was I who taught (your name) to walk, taking her by the hand.”

Looking over the years since I accepted Christ as my Lord and asked Him to lead my life,
He has taught me to walk.
His Word guides, directs, and strengthens.
I’ve taken steps, sinned, and fallen flat on my face.
Yet the Lord has been there, graciously accepting my request for forgiveness and reaching down to lift me up, teaching me to walk.

I have learned how to grow and stumble less, walking more and more like an adult alongside the Lord, while other areas of my life still require my childlike fingers wrapped around His as I work through sin struggles and fears. Someday I desire to grow in maturity in those areas, but until then, I will reach for His hand and ask Him to teach me to walk.
And just like a good parent,
His hands are never far from mine.

“I led her with human cords, with ropes of love.
To (your name), I was like one who eases the yoke from her jaws.” Hosea 11:4

While the first verse brings to mind the early toddler years of growth,
this verse calls to mind teenage rebellion and the process of submission.
Yes, that is a bit of stark comparison, but I have discovered the battles, where I’m called to submit my flesh to the Lord, have been some of the hardest fought training seasons of my journey with Jesus.
In the midst of these lessons, it has been the love of the Lord that has led me and not the boundaries set by legalism.
His ways are love based. Proverbs 3:1-12

“I bent down and fed her.” Hosea 11:4

Snapshots of life made sweeter by a meal come to mind:
a toddler’s joyous face covered with spaghetti sauce,
the sweet awkwardness of a first dinner date,
the moments of shared laughter over coffee with a friend,
a mom bringing a bowl of soup to a sick child,
a friend delivering a meal to a family with a newborn or one who has just said farewell to a family member who passed away.

Food is often a backdrop to intimacy, and this verse reminds us that the Lord beckons us to an intimate relationship with Him.
He provided manna in the wilderness,
sent the ravens to deliver food,
ensured the oil and flour never ran out,
and in His final night before death, drew His disciples deeply into the new covenant with a beautiful gift, The Last Supper.
 Not only does the Lord physically provide food,
He also provides for us through His Presence and His Word.

As the Lord provides, He proves that His love is extravagant, powerful, persistent, and sweet.
Sometimes I forget that.
And sometimes the Lord reminds me by revealing a love note He sent years ago.

This particular love note is nestled in the first verse of Hosea 11.
“When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son.”
The cross reference for this verse is Matthew 2:13-15 where Joseph is told by God to take Jesus and Mary to Egypt. An Old Testament verse foreshadowing a New Testament reality, and what an incredible New Testament reality!

Hosea 11:1 isn’t just talking about the Lord rescuing Israel from captivity in Egypt, the Holy Spirit is using Hosea’s words to draw an arrow pointing directly to Jesus! Jesus, the Messiah who came to show the world His love for God the Father and create a way for us to have relationship with Him by becoming the sacrifice that takes away our sins.

“When (your name), was a child, I loved her, and out of Egypt I called My son Jesus, to be her Redeemer.”
Long before our Salvation walked the earth in human flesh,
the Lord put into writing His love for us.
Signed, sealed, delivered.

In what ways has the Lord shown His love for you?
Which aspect of Hosea 11 impacted you today?
Reflect on your day, your week, your month, your year, and see Him teaching you to walk, binding you with His love.
May the reminders of His love bless you.

Share your thoughts from today’s Journey Study!
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Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus. Tap and hold from your mobile device to download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Bride Week Three! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!

Looking for other journeys from this theme?
Here’s a link to all past studies in Bride!

Bride Day 12 My Adultery: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out My Adultery!

The Questions

1) What does it mean to be a “royal priesthood?” 

2) If God loves everyone the same, which is the “chosen race?” 

3) Now that you are God’s people, does anything change? 

1 Peter 2:9-10

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 

Original Intent

1) What does the term “royal priesthood” mean?
To understand this term, we must investigate a verse describing Christ as “a priest in the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 6:7-10 states, “During his earthly life, he offered prayers and appeals with loud cries and tears to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Although he was the Son, he learned obedience from what he suffered. After he was perfected, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, and he was declared by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.”
So, who was Melchizedek? Melchizedek was a priest and the king of Salem, the site of what would later be Jerusalem. We really don’t know anything else about him, but this is all we need to know. God has declared Jesus to be a priest “in the order of,” or the same type of priest, as Melchizedek. Which means that Jesus is also a priest and a king. A royal priest.  

2) If God loves everyone the same, which is the “chosen race?”
Race implies that everyone in it has the same Father (God) and therefore all the same rights and privileges. The Church (i.e. Christians) now have the same rights and privileges as the Jews because we all have the same Father. The nation of Israel was the “chosen nation” in Old Testament times. God told them, “You will be my people and I will be your God.” The Lord had a divine plan and, as we now know, that plan involved Jesus being born as a member of the nation of Israel, the Jews. He came to draw people from all nations into a saving relationship with the Father. This in no way negates the fact that Israel is chosen and special to God, but it does allow for the family of God to expand exponentially! 

3) Now that you are God’s people, does anything change?
Peter’s message is to Gentile converts to Christianity. Gentiles were also known as “barbarians.” Prior to becoming a child of God, the Jews considered a Gentile unclean (Acts 11:1-10). Most Jewish believers thought that God offered salvation only to the Jews because God had given His law to them (Exodus 19-20). When Peter explained the falling of the Holy Spirit on a house full of Gentiles and their belief in the Lord Jesus Christ, a turning point was reached. Not overwhelming joy, but the beginning of acceptance.  The first church congregation that included both Jews and Gentiles was at Antioch. These believers were called Christians, which was the first time this term was used. All they had in common was Christ…not race, culture, or even language. Gentiles had gone from being outcasts to being one with Jews because of their belief in Christ. 

Everyday Application

1) What does the term “royal priesthood” mean?
Christians sometimes speak of “the priesthood of all believers.” In Old Testament times, people did not approach God directly. A priest acted as intermediary between God and sinful human beings. Christ is now our high priest, interceding for us in heaven (Romans 8:34). When we are united with Christ as members of His body, we join in His priestly work of reconciling God and His people. And we are royalty…daughters of the King! Let’s put on those tiaras and hold our heads high, ladies! 

2) If God loves everyone the same, which is the “chosen race?”
Believers are definitely members of the “chosen race” because God is our Father, but this does not mean that non-believers are any less valuable to God. He does love each person because He is Creator. He made us all, fashioning each of us in our mother’s womb. Sisters, if you have ever experienced prejudice from the community of faith, I am so sorry. We are not to judge but to invite non-believers into the family. We – I – do a disservice to seekers if I don’t glorify my God through my daily life. Lord, help me to always be aware that people are watching and help me to show them Your light. 

3) Now that you are God’s people, does anything change?
We who are believers in the redemptive work of Christ on the cross are now called children of God. But we are also members of the global Church, the bride of Christ.  To the married ladies among us: did anything change for you on your wedding day? Maybe your last name, your home address…but most importantly, your leader changed. Oh, I know, it seems a bit antiquated to say that. Let me put it this way: instead of going to your dad or uncle or older brother with any issue or need, you now go directly to your husband.  Now take this picture and insert Christ as your husband. You can now go directly to Him, your Lord and Savior, with any need or issue. What an amazing privilege! Marriages usually have a difficult, if not impossible, road to reconciliation following adultery. My marriage ended as a result. I found it impossible to trust the man who had betrayed me and lied for months to attempt to cover it up. God considered the nation of Israel like an adulterous spouse when she turned to other gods. He also considers us – you and me, sister, here in the 21st century – adulterous toward Him when (not if) we put something good in the place of first priority…where only He belongs. 
But God. 
He is patient.
He is gracious and full of mercy. 
He is love.
God, please forgive my adultery. I love you. I want my relationship with You to take first priority. 

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with My Adultery!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Bride Week Three!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Bride Day 11 My Adultery

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Hosea 4
1 Peter 2:9-10
Hosea 1:10-11
Genesis 15 

Bride, Day 11

The word adultery makes me shudder. In my lifetime, I’ve watched so many marriages crumble, and all too often, an affair is the the last straw that completely destroys a marriage.  

“Not me.” I’ve thought, more times than I’d like to admit.
“I will never be an adultress.” 

But sisters, one thing I’ve learned, is that… I am.  

I am an adulteress.  

When I chose to give my life to Christ and walk in the grace that has been given to me, I entered into a covenant with the Lord. The theological definition of covenant is: an agreement that brings about a relationship of commitment between God and His people.  

In the Bible, covenants were a legal contract, and they were so extreme that blood was spilled to seal the covenant. Abraham sacrificed animals when entering into a covenant with God. (See Genesis 15:7-18 and this Digging Deeper Study)
When I entered into a covenant with God, there was also bloodshed, but it was Jesus’.  

At the Last Supper, Jesus held up the cup of wine, symbolizing His soon-to-be-shed blood on the cross, and said, “this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:28)  

When I accept Jesus’ sacrifice to forgive my sins,
I enter into a covenant relationship with God. 
Not based on my works or ability to maintain good standing,
but based on the shedding of Christ’s perfect blood.  

In the covenant relationship of marriage, the adultery of giving one’s heart or body to someone besides their spouse, breaks the covenant.  

When I give my heart or body to something besides the Lord. 
That is adultery.  

And I hate to admit this…
but many things have captured and held my heart more than the Lord.  

I know that He is never going to be the one to leave me, hurt me, walk away from me…
I have His full attention all the time.
He will always uphold His side of the covenant.
But I don’t. I haven’t. And I’ll probably fail again tomorrow or the next day.  

I am an adulterous.   

Some days, my phone and social media has my heart more than God.
What is the first thing I check in the morning?
What is the last thing I do before I fall asleep at night? 

Sometimes, motherhood has my heart more than God.
Not my kids, but the act of motherhood; the busyness and craziness of it. 

Sometimes trying to uphold a certain image has my heart more than God.
My appearance, my home, my marriage.
Everything needs to look shiny and wonderful on the outside.

These idols…
They are damaging. 

They fill me with envy, greed, low-self esteem.
They make me feel unworthy and incompetent.
They catch me in the trap of comparison.
Inside of them, I give my love away to other, lesser things.  

Never being satisfied with my lesser loves, I find myself feeling miserable because I’ve completely broken my covenant with God.  

And yet, God never stops loving me.
He never stops pursuing me.
I am His, and I will always be His.  

“Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her.” (Hosea 2:14) 

He is alluring me, calling me back into the wilderness, reminding me that He is present.
Always here, always loving.  

Hosea’s love for Gomer and God’s pursuit of Israel, is a side-by-side comparison of His great love and pursuit of His people, of us.  

Hosea and Gomer entered into a covenant with each other when they got married and their children were fulfillments of promises God was making despite Gomer’s adultery.  

God has entered into a covenant with me, despite my adultery. 
He knew I would run just as far and as fast as Gomer,
but He pursued a covenant relationship regardless.  

In Biblical days, when someone broke their part of a covenant, they could be put to death by the other person they were in covenant with. The sacrificial bloodspill of an animal when a covenant was made symbolized the two parties agreeing, “If I don’t uphold my end of this vow, then let what is done to this animal, be done to me.”  

Israel didn’t uphold their end of the bargain.
They deserved death. 
But God was gracious and merciful and continued to pursue them over and over again.  

Gomer didn’t uphold her end of the bargain. 
She deserved death. 
But Hosea was gracious and merciful and continued to pursue her over and over again. 
I have not upheld my end of the bargain. 
I deserve death.  

But God is gracious and merciful and JESUS died FOR ME.
Jesus died for me because there was no way I would ever be able to uphold my end of the covenant.  

I am an adulteress.  

And yet, God still loves me,
He longs for me,
He is jealous for me,
He pursues me. 

He still takes my hand in His,
pulls me into the wilderness and speaks tenderly to me.  

And just like Israel, 
Just like Gomer,
I will come back.
I am redeemed.  

Share your thoughts from today’s Journey Study!
Can we pray for you?
Sign up to receive every Journey Study!
Join our Facebook Community!

Join the GT Community and share your thoughts!

Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus. Tap and hold from your mobile device to download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Bride Week Three! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!

Looking for other journeys from this theme?
Here’s a link to all past studies in Bride!

Bride Day 9 The Groom & His Bride: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out The Groom & His Bride!

The Questions

1) What is the “business” God has given for us to do?

2) How do we better understand God as a Groom through this passage?

3) How does God’s eternal character comfort His Bride, the Church, in verses 14-15?

Ecclesiastes 3:9-15

What gain has the worker from his toil? 10 I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. 12 I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live;13 also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man.

14 I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him. 15 That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already has been; and God seeks what has been driven away.

Original Intent

1) What is the “business” God has given for us to do?
The phrasing in verse 10, “I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with” refers to the scene from Genesis 3 when the curse is laid on Adam as a result of his sin in the Garden of Eden. (Genesis 3:17-19) The curse details how, even though Adam had previously been given work as a gift, now the work would carry a burden, it would be difficult, and produce only a fraction of what it would have before the effects of sin. The work God intended to bring us life and satisfaction in the doing of it, will now be twisted with sin and death. The Genesis passage also references life itself, which was a gift given to humankind, but now because of sin, all life will return to dust. If this were the end of the story, life itself is utterly meaningless. (Ecclesiastes 1:14)

2) How do we better understand God as a Groom through this passage?
Verse 11 immediately follows up the meaninglessness of verse 10 with hope, “He has made everything beautiful in its time”, which also references the finishing of Creation in Genesis 1:31 when God declared that everything He had made was very good. All of creation, in its original design, was very good, flawless without a hint of imperfection, but man chose sin, destroying the beauty. (Ecclesiastes 7:29, Genesis 3:6-7) Yet, the God who made everything beautiful at creation’s inception, is not impotent when it comes to sin and its decay. The same all-powerful God who formed atoms at the beginning of time and space, is the same all-powerful God who “has put eternity into man’s heart”. There is more beyond the “now”, there is eternity, and an eternal God who, in His own creation, shaped the heart of all people to long for eternity, to seek out the eternal God…to look for HOPE beyond themselves. This is the heart of a Groom who longs for His Bride. This is a picture of a pursuant God who intentionally designed His Beloved to hunger for Him, to ache to be made whole.

3) How does God’s eternal character comfort His Bride, the Church, in verses 14-15?
The teacher of Ecclesiastes notes that “whatever God does, endures forever” (verse 14) His purposes are sure and His plans cannot be thwarted, even in spite of our sin! The teacher further goes on to explain that this eternality of God and His immutability, is for our benefit. He set up creation that humanity would perceive the character of God (Romans 1:20) in order that we might fear Him (meaning to stand in absolute stunning awe of Him), come to know Him, and call Him Lord for ourselves. He is the pursuant Groom, and we are the ones He is seeking that He might call us His Bride! “God seeks what has been driven away.” (verse 15)

Everyday Application

1) What is the “business” God has given for us to do?
The “business” God has given is the gift of work. Whatever your work is, this is the gift of God. How do you spend your days? What fills them? What is your work and when was the last time you saw it as a gift? What makes our work a gift, even now living in a fallen world with the effects of the curse pervading every aspect of life, is Who we do the work for. Work is redeemed when we see it as a means to glorify God and love others. (Colossians 3:17) Verse 12 notes, “I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live.” Enjoy your work (Ecclesiastes 3:22), honor the giver of work, and love others well (Psalm 34:14, Psalm 37:3).

2) How do we better understand God as a Groom through this passage?
As you consider your everyday life, your work, your relationships, your joys, and your sorrows, where are you longing for Hope? What would begin to shift in your perspective and your heart when you consider that God intentionally designed for you to seek and know and be found by Him and He uses your everyday scenarios to draw you closer to Himself? What if you began to see your everyday, real life situations as invitations from the Almighty to come to Him, to seek Him, and be known by Him? Would you reach for Him more willingly? Would you call out for His help more frequently? Perhaps your heart would even become more quickly stirred to aching for His return when He will make all things new and beautiful once again. (Revelation 21:5)

3) How does God’s eternal character comfort His Bride, the Church, in verses 14-15?
I’m a mom of 7; nothing I do lasts for 5 minutes, let alone for eternity. Laundry, dishes, tidy beds, or a stocked pantry last only moments, but what God does never fades. God Himself is eternal, and because He loves His Bride, He has created a future for her to dwell with Him for eternity. His Church, the Beloved, made up of all those special and unique lives that have surrendered their all to Him, will finally find fullness and sweetness as it was designed to be from the beginning. We will inherit a life of purpose, a life of productivity, a life of intimacy with God, a life that will last for eternity! This kind of hope will never fail!

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with The Groom &His Bride!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Bride Week Two!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Bride Day 8 The Groom and His Bride

Leave a Comment

Read His Words Before Ours!

Hosea 4 
Genesis 3:1-13 
Ecclesiastes 3:9-15 
Colossians 1:15-20 

She was riveting. 

Bride, Day 8

The heady fragrance of fresh flowers filled the air, sweet strains from the grand piano echoed through the church, guests beamed, catching tears in their throats as their eyes took her in.  
The Bride.  
 
As beautiful as the scene before her was, she had eyes only for one, her groom.  
Long awaited.  
Greatly anticipated.  
The wedding day.  
 
The anticipation had filled their hearts with an ache of longing.  
The looks they’d exchanged were like tasting honey, awaiting the fullness of bliss to come. 
He was her champion.  
She was his bride.  
 
Happily ever after was always the intent.  
But one day, the grass appeared greener on the other side.  
Maybe it was…. 
What if I’m missing out? 
What if my marriage is holding me back from achieving more? 
Maybe he doesn’t really love me like he claims.  
My feelings have changed. 
What if he is hiding something? 
And she turned her eyes away from his.  
 
Just a little at first.
Who could blame her for flirting back just a little?
He was pretty attractive.  
He was so nice. The feelings in her heart felt different, exciting, her breath caught in her throat in a different way.
I wonder… What if…. 
 
And His heart broke,  
But He still called her Bride.  
 
The dreams they’d shared…they began to fade.  
But the love He had for her remained.  
 
She was caught up in it, the greener grass becoming increasingly intoxicating, taking her farther than she dared. It was becoming too late, she couldn’t go back, maybe she didn’t even want to. Her old life seemingly a shadow compared to the thrill of new misters. Why keep it to one? There was so much to explore!
New excitement at every opportunity for this new love.  
 
You have betrayed me, my Bride, my Beloved, my chosen one.  
His voice chased her down. 
You’ve been unfaithful, abandoned our love, refused to know me intimately.  
You’ve wreaked havoc in our marriage, you’ve broken down our relationship, and trashed your reputation. This one choice has created a rippling effect.  
Those who looked up to you, don’t anymore.  
Those who saw our marriage as beauty, see ashes.  
No one wins, everyone is broken.  
Most of all you, my precious Bride, but you don’t even see it.  
 
You think you’re living thrill to thrill, but I know you’re dying inside.  
All of these lovers, I know they are leaving you empty hearted.  
You are being destroyed without our intimacy, because knowing me, and enjoying each other, was always the intention. 
You weren’t made for this.  
Remember, happily ever after was our destination? 
 
You keep on chasing this broken love, glittery on the outside, empty on the inside.  
You’ve taken the glory of our marriage and exchanged it for shame.  
You have left me so you could play the whore, with not just one counterfeit lover,  
but countless ones.  
But still I call you Bride.  
 
Why? 
Love.  
 
Love that knows you will only find fullness with me.  
Because I’m the beginning and the end. (Revelation 22:13) 
Love that knows your life is found when it’s hidden in me.  
Because I hold life together. (Colossians 1:15-20) 
Love that knows happily ever after is not just a dream.  
Because I hold eternity. (Ecclesiastes 3:9-15) 
 
Remember, my Bride… 
Lace. Glowing cheeks. White dress. Dazzling pearls. 
Happily Ever After. 
It’s still our future hope.  
Come home, Beloved.  
 
The heartbreak of God is something we can never fully understand.  
The heartbreak that began in the Garden of Eden and continued right on  
through every story in the Old Testament,  
every law that we have a hard time understanding,  
every miracle of Jesus,  
all of His teachings, and sweeps past His death and resurrection.  
 
His begging pleas to return continue in the voices of Paul, Timothy, Peter, and John in the New Testament as His Church flourished and grew, yet still fought hard against the relentless Enemy.  
 
Every time His Bride chose sin, chose adultery, chose another lover,  
He ached to bring her home.  
If even creation itself longs for the final restoration,  
how much more so the very Being of God Himself?  
 
We often see the brokenness around us and long for it to be made whole.  
We see relationships shattered.  
We see financial strain.  
We see bodies twisted in sickness.  
And we long for healing. We ache for it.  
But we miss the heartbreak of God over our adultery.  
 
Today, let’s decide to see it.  
Let’s ask God to show us His heart.  
Let’s see our sin, our wretchedness.  
Then let’s see the groaning of God as He too waits to bring restoration.  
 
Happily ever after…. It’s still coming!  
Bride dressed in white….She is still on the horizon!  
 
Christ is her champion.  
The Church is His Bride.  
 
And one day, that Wedding Day will be reality.  
The marriage feasting will begin and never end.  
The fullness of a consummate marriage will be everlasting and His Bride will discover beauty, depth, purpose, meaning, satisfaction, and wholeness like she never dreamed possible.  
 
But it starts with opening our eye to our adultery,  
beholding the heartbreak of the Groom who loves us,  
and choosing to return to His embrace.  
 
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Bride Day 7 Faithful Pursuit: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

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The Questions

1) When was this passage written,
and to whom?

 2) What is the meaning of verse 15?

    3) How does God pursue His people?

Zephaniah 3:12-20

12 I will leave
a meek and humble people among you,
and they will take refuge in the name of the Lord.
13 The remnant of Israel will no longer
do wrong or tell lies;
a deceitful tongue will not be found
in their mouths.
They will pasture and lie down,
with nothing to make them afraid.
14 Sing for joy, Daughter Zion;
shout loudly, Israel!
Be glad and celebrate with all your heart,
Daughter Jerusalem!
15 The Lord has removed your punishment;
he has turned back your enemy.
The King of Israel, the Lord, is among you;
you need no longer fear harm.
16 On that day it will be said to Jerusalem:
“Do not fear;
Zion, do not let your hands grow weak.
17 The Lord your God is among you,
a warrior who saves.
He will rejoice over you with gladness.
He will be quiet in his love.
He will delight in you with singing.”
18 I will gather those who have been driven
from the appointed festivals;
they will be a tribute from you
and a reproach on her.
19 Yes, at that time
I will deal with all who oppress you.
I will save the lame and gather the outcasts;
I will make those who were disgraced
throughout the earth
receive praise and fame.
20 At that time I will bring you back,
yes, at the time I will gather you.
I will give you fame and praise
among all the peoples of the earth,
when I restore your fortunes before your eyes.
The Lord has spoken.

Original Intent

1) When was this passage written, and to whom?
The prophet Zephaniah made these proclamations shortly after 622 B.C., the year of King Josiah’s partial revival of Judah (the southern kingdom). In 605 Judah, under Jehoiakim, became a servant of Babylon and many of Judah’s best young men were deported. Under Jehoiakim’s equally wicked successor, Jehoiachin, the city was again attacked by Nebuchadnezzar in 597 and some 10,000 Jews were deported. Under Zedekiah the city was under a long siege by Nebuchadnezzar and was finally destroyed in the summer of 586. (The Bible Knowledge Commentary)
The prophecy was written to Judah as the remnant of the nation of Israel. This passage was meant to provide hope that the Lord would restore; He would restore the nation’s purity and righteousness, He would restore Himself as their King, and He would restore Israel – all of Israel, the nation of people – to the land He had promised to Abraham and his descendants (see Deuteronomy 30:1-10). 

2) What is the meaning of verse 15?
When Israel did not keep God as rightful King of their nation, they fell into rebellion, idol worship, and all sorts of evil practices including infanticide. Because of this, God used their enemies to punish them as means of grabbing their attention. God used pagan nations to accomplish this purpose, including Babylon. Verse 15 speaks of a coming time when all will be made right. The enemies will forever be banished, the Lord will be their rightful King once more, peace will reign and there will be no fear.

3) How does God pursue His people?
In the centuries prior to Jesus coming to this earth as a baby in Bethlehem, God pursued people by direct communication (Adam – Genesis 3:9, Abram – Genesis 12:1-3, 7), through visions (e.g. Abram – Genesis 15:1), and angels (Hagar – Genesis 16:7-12, Gideon – Judges 6:11-22). He also spoke through leaders like Moses and Joshua and through prophets like Isaiah and even Zephaniah. God appointed specific people to be His mouthpiece as He issued instruction or warning upon warning to remove idols and turn back to Him.

Everyday Application

1) When was this passage written, and to whom?
Although this passage was specifically written to the nation of Israel, the hope that it offers is the same hope that we, as believers in the One True God, also have. If we ask Jesus to be our Savior, He sets us free from sin and its eternal consequences, giving us the hope of future restoration as well as living with fullness and peace on earth. Oh, dear ones, our lives in these decaying bodies (no matter how hard we try to stay young and vibrant) and these decaying homes (no matter how much renovation we do) will forever be hard. But we are encouraged by remembering that our trials are “light, momentary afflictions compared to the coming glory.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18) In the power of the Holy Spirit we can follow God and be obedient, bringing us great joy in the Lord. God Himself rejoices over us with victorious singing!

2) What is the meaning of verse 15?
Israel experienced punishment from God when she ventured willfully into idolatry and pagan worship despite centuries of God calling her back into relationship with Him. She is not the only one. I have certainly found myself engaged in war with an enemy being used by God to get my attention. Lately it has been traffic and parking. Ugh. God is punishing my self-righteousness and need for control. Can you point to an area in your own life, dear one, where God is using an enemy to bring you back to Himself? Or do you find yourself on the other side of punishment with the King back on His rightful throne?

3) How does God pursue His people?
It is true that no one on earth has any excuse for denying God because He has made Himself known in creation. But what does He do when we shuffle our feet on the path to relationship with Him, whether it be the beginning (salvation), a return to Him (rededication), or anywhere else on the path (sanctification)?
Personally, I find that He often pursues me in song, but the Holy Spirit also tugs at my heart with Scripture. Occasionally, a Christian friend will be telling about an instance in their life and their response that grabs my attention and shakes me about.
God knows each of us intimately, including the best way to get our attention. For one it’s the pages of Scripture, for others it’s a sunrise. But regardless of the method, the motivation remains the same…He desires us. Let yourself be caught today, sister, and delight in the Lord as He delights in you.

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Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it, several times
3) Write down your questions as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

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Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

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