The Book of Ruth. A Study of the Book of Ruth Chapter 3

Transcription

1 The Book of Ruth A Study of the Book of Ruth Chapter 3 Ruth 1:6 For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God. Introduction From Ruth, The Romance of Redemption by Ray Stedman When Benjamin Franklin was United States Ambassador to France, he occasionally attended the Infidels Club---a group that spent most of its time searching for and reading literary masterpieces. On one occasion Franklin read the book of Ruth to the club when it was gathered together, but changed the names in it so it would not be recognized as a book of the Bible. When he finished, they were unanimous in their praise. They said it was one of the most beautiful short stories that they had ever heard, and demanded that he tell them where he had run across such a remarkable literary masterpiece. It was his great delight to tell them that it was from the Bible, which they professed to regard with scorn and derision, and in which they felt there was nothing good. 1 Ruth 3:1 Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, My daughter, shall I not seek security for you, that it may be well with you? 2 Now Boaz, whose young women you were with, is he not our relative? In fact, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor. 3 Therefore wash yourself and anoint yourself, put on your best garment and go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. 4 Then it shall be, when he lies down, that you shall notice the place where he lies; and you shall go in, uncover his feet, and lie down; and he will tell you what you should do. 5 And she said to her, All that you say to me I will do. 6 So she went down to the threshing floor and did according to all that her mother-in-law instructed her. 7 And after Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was cheerful, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain; and she came softly, uncovered his feet, and lay down. 8 Now it happened at midnight that the man was startled, and turned himself; and there, a woman was lying at his feet. 9 And he said, Who are you? So she answered, I am Ruth, your maidservant. Take your maidservant under your wing, for you are a close relative. 10 Then he said, Blessed are you of the LORD, my daughter! For you have shown more kindness at the end than at the beginning, in that you did not go after young men, whether poor or rich. 11 And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you request, for all the people of my town know that you are a virtuous woman. 12 Now it is true that I am a close relative; however, there is a relative closer than I. 13 Stay this night, and in the morning it shall be that if he will perform the duty of a close relative for you good; let him do it. But if he does not want to perform the duty for you, then I will perform the duty for you, as the LORD lives! Lie down until morning. 14 So she lay at his feet until morning, and she arose before one could recognize another. Then he said, Do not let it be known that the woman came to the threshing floor. 15 Also he said, Bring the shawl that 1 Stedman, Ray. "Ruth: The Romance of Redemption." Discovery Publishing. Blue Letter Bible. 1 Mar Oct

2 is on you and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six ephahs of barley, and laid it on her. Then she went into the city. 16 When she came to her mother-in-law, she said, Is that you, my daughter? Then she told her all that the man had done for her. 17 And she said, These six ephahs of barley he gave me; for he said to me, Do not go empty-handed to your mother-in-law. 18 Then she said, Sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will turn out; for the man will not rest until he has concluded the matter this day. Naomi was no longer depressed. She became a matchmaker and prepared Ruth to seek the love of her willing kinsman-redeemer, Boaz. The turning point in the narrative is at hand. A. A plan for redemption (3:1-5) During the weeks of the barley and wheat harvests, Naomi had time to put her plan together. When the time was right she acted. 3:1. Naomi was a persistent person. She was now resolved to seek rest and security for her daughter-in-law through marriage. Ruth had given up the possibility of remarriage in order to care for the aging Naomi, but now marriage suddenly again became a possibility. It was customary for Hebrew parents to arrange marriages for their children. To find a home is literally to find rest, to be settled and secure in a home with a husband. 2 One example of a biblical arranged marriage is found in Judges, when Samson s parents arrange his marriage to a daughter of the Phillistines. Judges 14:1 Now Samson went down to Timnah, and saw a woman in Timnah of the daughters of the Philistines. 2 So he went up and told his father and mother, saying, I have seen a woman in Timnah of the daughters of the Philistines; now therefore, get her for me as a wife. 3 Then his father and mother said to him, Is there no woman among the daughters of your brethren, or among all my people, that you must go and get a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines? And Samson said to his father, Get her for me, for she pleases me well. 4 But his father and mother did not know that it was of the LORD that He was seeking an occasion to move against the Philistines. For at that time the Philistines had dominion over Israel. 5 So Samson went down to Timnah with his father and mother, and came to the vineyards of Timnah. Now to his surprise, a young lion came roaring against him. 6 And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he tore the lion apart as one would have torn apart a young goat, though he had nothing in his hand. But he did not tell his father or his mother what he had done. 7 Then he went down and talked with the woman; and she pleased Samson well. 8 After some time, when he returned to get her, he turned aside to see the carcass of the lion. And behold, a swarm of bees and honey were in the carcass of the lion. 9 He took some of it in his hands and went along, eating. When he came to his father and mother, he gave some to them, and they also ate. But he did not tell them that he had taken the honey out of the carcass of the lion. 10 So his father went down to the woman. And Samson gave a feast there, for young men used to do so. 3:2. Naomi pointed out that since Boaz was a relative of theirs, he could be a kinsman- 2 Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1985). The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Ru 2:23). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books. 2

3 redeemer for Ruth. He had an open and willing heart. So Naomi suggested Ruth go to the threshing floor that evening. The people of Bethlehem took turns using the threshing floor. The floor was a flat hard area on a slightly raised platform or hill. In threshing, the grain was beaten out from the stalks with flails or was trodden over by oxen. Then in winnowing the grain was thrown in the air and the wind carried the chaff away. The grain was then removed from the threshing floor and placed in heaps to be sold or stored in granaries. Threshing and winnowing were a time of great festivity and rejoicing. Naomi knew that Boaz was threshing his grain on the day that she had chosen for her plan. She also knew that Boaz would be sleeping near his grain that night, to protect it. 3:3. Ruth was to prepare herself by washing and perfuming herself. The words best clothes may be rendered a large outer garment. This was to keep her identity from being detected. She was to observe Boaz eating and drinking but was not to let him know of her presence. 3:4. After Boaz finished eating and drinking, Ruth was to observe the place where he retired for the night. Under cover of darkness Ruth was to go to Boaz, uncover his feet, and lie down there. Boaz, Naomi said, would then tell Ruth what she was to do. The implication was clear that Ruth should do whatever he requested. 3:5. Ruth stated that she would act in full and unquestioned obedience to the directions of her mother-in-law. B. A claim for redemption (3:6-9) Ruth 3:6 So she went down to the threshing floor and did according to all that her mother-in-law instructed her. 7 And after Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was cheerful, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain; and she came softly, uncovered his feet, and lay down. 8 Now it happened at midnight that the man was startled, and turned himself; and there, a woman was lying at his feet. 9 And he said, Who are you? So she answered, I am Ruth, your maidservant. Take your maidservant under your wing, for you are a close relative. The preparation for the redemption experience had been carefully made. Now the plan had to be carried out. 3:6. Ruth went to the threshing floor and carried out the plan in exact detail as matchmaker Naomi had laid it out. 3:7. Some commentators suggest that what Ruth did presented an opportunity for immorality. But nothing in the passage supports this. Her mother-in-law had complete confidence in the integrity of the kinsman-redeemer. Boaz could be trusted to act responsibly. And Ruth was recognized by everyone as a woman of noble character. The uncovering of the feet was a ceremonial act that was completely proper. Probably the scene took place in the dark so that Boaz had the opportunity to reject the proposal without the whole town knowing about it. 3 Recall how in the last session we learned that if a near kinsman was unwilling to perform the role of the Kinsmen Redeemer that he would have to give the widow his shoe and walk around with one shoe for a time as a humiliation for not fulfilling his lawful duty. In this passage, Ruth is giving Boaz an opportunity to fulfill the role of the kinsmen redeemer, or if not, then the secret nature of the night proposal would allow 3 Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1985). The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Ru 2:23). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books. 3

4 him to refuse without humiliation for either of them. From this passage we can delve into a quick study of how shoes are used throughout the bible as a symbol of God s holy authority and mercy towards His people. From Moses approaching the burning bush in the Book of Exodus ; Exodus 3:1 Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. And he led the flock to the back of the desert, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush. So he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed. 3 Then Moses said, I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush does not burn. 4 So when the LORD saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, Moses, Moses! And he said, Here I am. 5 Then He said, Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground. 6 Moreover He said, I am the God of your father the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God. The sandals of the Israelites did not wearing out during the forty years of wanderings in the wilderness; Deuteronomy 29:5 "And I have led you forty years in the wilderness. Your clothes have not worn out on you, and your sandals have not worn out on your feet. To John the Baptist declaring that he was unworthy to even untie Jesus sandal strap. Matthew 3:11 "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 "His winnowing fan [is] in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." For a word study on shoes in the bible see also Isaiah 5:27, 20:2, Ezekiel 16:10, 24:17, Amos 2:6, Luke 22:35, Acts 12:8, Ephesians 6:15 3:8-9. Something startled Boaz in the middle of the night. He turned to discover that a woman was lying at his feet. Boaz asked for the identity of his unusual guest. Ruth responded in humility: I am your servant Ruth. She had put herself under the wings of Yahweh, and now she asked to be put under the wings of Boaz. In the phrase the corner of your garment the word corner is ḵānāp, which is translated wing in 2:12. She used a poetic image that had its source in the blessing that Boaz had given her. A Moabitess widow was calling the attention of a noted Hebrew to his responsibility. He could now follow through on his benediction by becoming Ruth s kinsman-redeemer and providing her with the security of marriage. 4 A study of Hems in the bible; 3-9 Hems (Greek: kraspedon; Hebrew: shuwl) hem, border, fringe, bottom edge of skirt or train. In ancient Mesopotamia, to cut off the hem was to strip one of his personality, authority, etc. A husband could divorce his wife by cutting off the hem of her robe. A nobleman would authenticate his name on a clay tablet by pressing his hem on the clay. 4 Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1985). The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Ru 2:23). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books. 4

5 David s removal of Saul s hem: 1 Samuel 24:1 Now it happened, when Saul had returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Take note! David is in the Wilderness of En Gedi. 2 Then Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel, and went to seek David and his men on the Rocks of the Wild Goats. 3 So he came to the sheepfolds by the road, where there was a cave; and Saul went in to attend to his needs. ( David and his men were staying in the recesses of the cave.) 4 Then the men of David said to him, This is the day of which the LORD said to you, Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, that you may do to him as it seems good to you. And David arose and secretly cut off a corner of Saul s robe. 5 Now it happened afterward that David s heart troubled him because he had cut Saul s robe. 6 And he said to his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my master, the LORD s anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD. 7 So David restrained his servants with these words, and did not allow them to rise against Saul. And Saul got up from the cave and went on his way. Look at how the Lord s hem was sought for healing: Matthew 14:34 When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent out into all that surrounding region, brought to Him all who were sick, 36 and begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched it were made perfectly well. (Also; Mark 6:56 and Luke 8:44) Jairus Daughter and the woman with the issue of blood. Mark 5:21 Now when Jesus had crossed over again by boat to the other side, a great multitude gathered to Him; and He was by the sea. 22 And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet 23 and begged Him earnestly, saying, My little daughter lies at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live. 24 So Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him. A Woman with Issue is Healed (Matt. 9:20 22; Luke 8:43 48) 25 Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, 26 and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. 27 When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. 28 For she said, If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well. 29 Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction. 30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, Who touched My clothes? 31 But His disciples said to Him, You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, Who touched Me? 32 And He looked around to see her who had done this thing. 33 But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. 34 And He said to her, Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction. Jairus Daughter is Healed (Matt. 9:23 26; Luke 8:49 56) Mark 5:35 While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue s house who said, Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further? 36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the 5

6 synagogue, Do not be afraid; only believe. 37 And He permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James. 38 Then He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw a tumult and those who wept and wailed loudly. 39 When He came in, He said to them, Why make this commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping. 40 And they ridiculed Him. But when He had put them all outside, He took the father and the mother of the child, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying. 41 Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, Talitha, cumi, which is translated, Little girl, I say to you, arise. 42 Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age. And they were overcome with great amazement. 43 But He commanded them strictly that no one should know it, and said that something should be given her to eat. This woman that was healed was most likely a gentile as a Jewish woman in her condition would not be allowed in the crowd for she would make anyone she came into contact with ceremoniously unclean. Leviticus 15:19 'If a woman has a discharge, [and] the discharge from her body is blood, she shall be set apart seven days; and whoever touches her shall be unclean until evening. Leviticus 15:25 'If a woman has a discharge of blood for many days, other than at the time of her [customary] impurity, or if it runs beyond her [usual time of] impurity, all the days of her unclean discharge shall be as the days of her [customary] impurity. She [shall be] unclean. Therefore Jesus, while on the way to save a daughter of Israel from death, saves a gentile woman from a blood issue. Jesus mission was to the Jews (Jairus daughter is a type of Israel) and He saves the gentiles (the woman with the issue of blood is a type). The Gentile woman is saved prior to the Jewish daughter being resurrected, which is prophetic of the church s rapture prior to Israel s redemption and resurrection. (For more biblical garment fringes, such as those on the priestly garments see Numbers 15:38,39, Deuteronomy 22:12 and Exodus 28:33,34) C. A pledge of redemption (3:10-15) Ruth 3:10 Then he said, Blessed are you of the LORD, my daughter! For you have shown more kindness at the end than at the beginning, in that you did not go after young men, whether poor or rich. 11 And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you request, for all the people of my town know that you are a virtuous woman. 12 Now it is true that I am a close relative; however, there is a relative closer than I. 13 Stay this night, and in the morning it shall be that if he will perform the duty of a close relative for you good; let him do it. But if he does not want to perform the duty for you, then I will perform the duty for you, as the LORD lives! Lie down until morning. 14 So she lay at his feet until morning, and she arose before one could recognize another. Then he said, Do not let it be known that the woman came to the threshing floor. 15 Also he said, Bring the shawl that is on you and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six ephahs of barley, and laid it on her. Then she went into the city. Boaz joyfully received Ruth s proposal. The tension of the plot continued, however, because another kinsman had a prior claim on her. 3:10. Boaz gave no hint that Ruth had embarrassed him by her actions or that she had done something that was not within her rights or against the customs of the day. Rather than thinking suggestive thoughts as some might have done in such a setting, he 6

7 immediately blessed Ruth: The LORD bless you. He again used the phrase my daughter, a reminder of their age difference. He commended Ruth for her act of kindness that was greater than her decision to serve her mother-in-law. Boaz also commended her for not going after a younger man. He seemed to believe Ruth could have readily found such a match. He praised her for being willing to marry an older man in order to fulfill her commitment to her first husband, Mahlon, and the family name of Elimelech. 3:11. Boaz then relieved any immediate fears Ruth might have had by saying that he would do as she requested. He might have sensed that she was apprehensive over how he might interpret her bold proposal. Boaz told her that all his fellow townsmen (lit., the people of the gate, probably referring to the elders of Bethlehem) considered her a person of the highest reputation. Noble character translates ḥayil ( valor, worth, ability ), the same word used of the worthiness of Boaz. Proverbs 12:4 An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, But she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones. Proverbs 31:10 Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. 3:12. The narrative, however, was not nearing the end. Still another complication had to be unraveled. Boaz had already looked into the legal aspects of the proposed marriage; perhaps he had anticipated her request. He knew that Ruth by her marriage into Elimelech s family had a relative who was more closely related to her than he was. But Boaz would do all he could to see that the outcome would be one that satisfied Ruth s request. 3:13. Boaz acted responsibly in two ways: (1) He did not send her home in the middle of the night. He would protect her and he would touch her only if she could be rightfully his. (2) Also he protected the rights of her nearer kinsman. If the other relative wanted to redeem, that was his right. But if the nearer kinsman was not willing, Boaz would surely do so. He covered his pledge with a vow. There was no doubt about how Boaz wanted the matter to eventuate. 3:14. Ruth lay at his feet until early morning. She arose before daylight. Boaz did not want her life complicated by village gossips, so he urged her not to let it be known she had been at the threshing floor. Nothing had happened that was improper but gossipers are not careful about facts. 3:15. Into Ruth s shawl Boaz put six measures of barley for her and Naomi. Naomi was entering more and more into the fullness of her wise decision to return to Bethlehem. The measure was probably the seah (one-third of an ephah or about 10 pounds). Thus six seahs would equal about 60 pounds. Ruth was a strong woman to be able to carry such a heavy load. Probably Boaz placed the burden on her head. Some Hebrew manuscripts read, Then he went back to town, but others have she in place of he. Since Ruth returned to Bethlehem at that time and Boaz a bit later that morning (4:1), both renderings ( she and he ) fit the facts. D. An anticipation of redemption (3:16-18) Ruth 3:16 When she came to her mother-in-law, she said, Is that you, my daughter? Then she told her all that the man had done for her. 17 And she said, These six ephahs of barley he gave me; for he said to me, Do not go empty-handed to your mother-in-law. 18 Then she said, Sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will turn out; for the man will not rest until he has concluded the matter this day. 7

8 Naomi eagerly sought to know the outcome of Ruth s adventure and predicted that Boaz would quickly resolve the issues that day. Whatever the outcome as to who the redeemer would be, it would be Ruth s day of redemption. 3: Naomi sought to know how it had gone with Ruth. As before, she called Ruth my daughter. Ruth gave her a full report and added that Boaz had given her the barley so that Naomi could share in Ruth s future fulfillment. Naomi had done her matchmaking well and had earned a reward. The aged widow could then rest assured that she would not be forgotten in the future. 5 What does the six measures of barley represent? We catch a hint in Naomi s words to Ruth; 3:18. Sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will turn out; for the man will not rest until he has concluded the matter this day. As a good Jew, Naomi recognized the six days of creation in the six measures of barley, from Genesis chapter one, and how God rested on the seventh day. Naomi is in effect saying that just as God worked for six days until the job was finished, Boaz would finish the job before he rested. 3:18. Naomi and Ruth had done all they could. The initiative now rested with Boaz. Boaz would not rest till he had settled the matter that day. 6 Supplement The Bride of Christ In the bible, the analogy of a bride in the Jewish wedding tradition is used to describe the Church in its role as the bride of Christ. One of the best example verses of this is in Ephesians; Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. 30 For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. 31 For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. 32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Jesus as a good Jewish Son and bridegroom fulfilled all of the Jewish traditional requirements when being betrothed to His bride. Jewish Wedding The first step, the Ketubah, or Betrothal, was the establishment of the marriage covenant, usually when the prospective bridegroom took the initiative and negotiated the price (mohair) he must pay to purchase her. 7 The purchase price that God the Father agreed upon to purchase a bride from out of the world was no 5 Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1985). The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Ru 2:23). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books. 6 Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B. 7 Missler, Chuck, The Personal Update News Journal, Pattern Is Prologue, The Rapture, Part 2, The Wedding Model, Koinonia House Ministry, khouse.org, January

9 less then the blood of His own Son. 1 Corinthians 6:19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God s. Acts 20:28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 1 Peter 1:18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. Once the bridegroom paid the purchase price, the marriage covenant was established, and the young man and woman were regarded as husband and wife. From that moment on, the bride was declared to be consecrated or sanctified - set apart - exclusively for her bridegroom. 8 2 Corinthians 11:2 For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. As a symbol of the covenant relationship that had been established, the groom and bride drank from a cup of wine over which the betrothal had been pronounced. 9 This is the same cup of the new covenant that Jesus shared at His Last Supper. In sharing the cup Jesus pronounces the old covenant, which is symbolized in the Passover Feast, as having been completed and the new covenant in His blood having begun. 1 Corinthians 11:25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me. 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord s death till He comes. After the marriage covenant was established, the groom left his bride at her home and returned to his father's house, where he remained separated from his bride for approximately 12 months. This afforded the bride time to gather her trousseau and prepare for married life. During this period of separation, the groom prepared a dwelling place in his father's house to which he would later bring his bride. 10 Since Jesus ascension back to heaven he has been preparing a place in His Father s house for His bride. Jesus was a carpenter, and He has had 2000 years to work on it, so the rooms are probably very nice. My guess is it is a Seven Star Resort. (Seven is the number of completeness) John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And where I go you know, and the way you know. 8 Missler, Pattern Is Prologue, The Rapture, Part 2, The Wedding Model. 9 Missler, Pattern Is Prologue, The Rapture, Part 2, The Wedding Model. 10 Missler, Chuck, The Personal Update News Journal, Pattern Is Prologue, The Rapture, Part 2, The Wedding Model, Koinonia House Ministry, khouse.org, January

10 At the end of the period of separation, the bridegroom came - usually at night - to take his bride to live with him. The groom, the best man, and other male escorts left the father's house and conducted a torch-light procession to the home of the bride. Although the bride was expecting her groom to come for her, she did not know the time of his coming. As a result, the groom's arrival was preceded by a shout, which announced her imminent departure to be gathered with him. 11 Isaiah 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. We see in the following passage all the required pieces in the bridegrooms procession; The warning shout, the Archangel as the best man, the procession consisting of the dead rising first, followed by those still alive at the grooms return. 1 Thessalonians 4:15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words. After the groom received his bride, together with her female attendants, the enlarged wedding party returned from the bride's home to the groom's father's house, where the wedding guests had assembled. Shortly after their arrival, the bride and groom were escorted by the other members of the wedding party to the bridal chamber (huppah). Prior to entering the chamber, the bride remained veiled so that no one could see her face. While the groomsmen and bridesmaids waited outside, the bride and groom entered the bridal chamber alone. There, in the privacy of that place, they entered into physical union for the first time, thereby consummating the marriage that had been covenanted approximately one year earlier. After the marriage was consummated, the groom came out of the bridal chamber and announced the consummation of the marriage to the members of the wedding party waiting outside. Then, as the groom went back to his bride in the chamber, the members of the wedding party returned to the wedding guests and announced the consummation of the marriage. Upon receiving the good news, the wedding guests remained in the groom's father's house for the next seven days, celebrating with a great wedding feast. During the seven days of the wedding feast, the bride and groom remained hidden in the bridal chamber (Genesis 29:21-23, 27-28) for the seven days of the huppah. Isaiah 26:19 Your dead shall live; Together with my dead body they shall arise. (This speaks of the corruptible body) Awake and sing, you who dwell in dust; For your dew is like the dew of herbs, And the earth shall cast out the dead. (The rapture) 20 Come, my people, enter your chambers, (The wedding chamber) And shut your doors behind you; Hide yourself, as it were, for a little moment, Until the indignation is past. (The indignation speaks of the seven years of Tribulation) 21 For behold, the LORD comes out of His place To punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity; The earth will also disclose her blood, And will no more cover her slain. 11 Missler, Pattern Is Prologue, The Rapture, Part 2, The Wedding Model. 10

11 Afterwards, the groom came out of hiding, bringing his bride with him, but with her veil removed so that everyone could see her. 12 Revelation 21:1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. 12 Missler, Chuck, The Personal Update News Journal, Pattern Is Prologue, The Rapture, Part 2, The Wedding Model, Koinonia House Ministry, khouse.org, January