Hidden in the Jewish marriage tradition is a divine mystery. The journey toward marriage begins with the Jewish groom visiting the house of the bride, paying a bridal price, and sealing the marriage covenant. The bridegroom would then leave the bride and return to his father's house. The two would then spend a year in separation during which time they would be considered husband and wife. These were the Days of Preparation. For the groom, it was the time to prepare a house for the bride. For the bride, it was the time to prepare herself for marriage and for her new life with the bridegroom.
Two thousand years ago, the Bridegroom of our souls, Messiah, visited our house, paid the great bridal price to set us free, and then returned to prepare a place for us in his father's house. So what are the days in which we live? These are the Days of Preparation.
If you are Messiah's bride, you are not here on earth to get caught up in money, success, circumstances or self-centeredness. These are your Days of Preparation for eternity. Use them wisely, saying good-bye to the old, pressing on to the new, and becoming more and more beautiful in his eyes.
Compare these thoughts from Jewish tradition with garden and 2 Corinthians 11. See if there are any other correlations.
