Throughout the Bible, the metaphors of Bride, Bridegroom, and Weddings are used to illustrate God’s relationship with his people—both positively and negatively. In the Old Testament, the nation of Israel is often portrayed as God’s bride. For example, Isaiah 62:5 says, “As a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you.” This shows the intimacy and joy God desires to have with his chosen people.
On the other hand, in Jeremiah, God rebukes Israel for being an unfaithful bride. Verses like Jeremiah 2:32 lament, “Does a maiden forget her jewelry or a bride her wedding sash? Yet My people have forgotten Me for days without number.” Israel’s idolatry and disobedience are likened to a bride abandoning her husband on their wedding day.
But God, the faithful bridegroom, never gives up on his bride. Hosea depicts God’s redeeming love in taking back his adulterous bride. Joel 2:16 also uses the wedding metaphor, urging the bride and bridegroom to leave their chambers to come before the LORD. God’s mercy is shown in continually calling his people to return to him.
In the New Testament, too
In the New Testament, Jesus himself is pictured as the bridegroom and the church as his bride. John the Baptist refers to Jesus as the bridegroom in John 3:29, humbly stating his role is like the best man who rejoices for the groom. Jesus refers to himself as a bridegroom in passages like Matthew 9:15.
The Apostle Paul expands this metaphor in Ephesians 5 to illustrate the sacrificial love a husband should have for his wife, “just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” (Ephesians 5:25)
The book of Revelation completes the use of this beautiful metaphor with the wedding feast of the Lamb. Revelation 19:7-9 announces that the wedding day of Christ and his church has finally arrived. His bride has “made herself ready” and is granted to wear “fine linen, bright and clean.” What was only hinted at in the Old Testament is now fulfilled. God and man are reconciled and reunited at last.
From Genesis to Revelation, the wedding metaphor weaves a rich tapestry of God’s passionate pursuit of his people. In his great love, the Son of God steps down from heaven to become a lowly bridegroom, entering into a sacred covenant with an undeserving bride. He pays the ultimate price to present her as spotless and blameless.
One day, all of history will culminate in the most joyous wedding celebration imaginable as God and man dwell together in perfect unity forever. What wondrous love is this!