Bible Study with the Cincottis – The Bride – 09/27/2026
Today’s Bible Study, Authored by Arthur Cincotti.
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The Bride
“And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.” Rev. 22:17
In his book, Jesus the Bridegroom, Brant Pitre makes a case, and supports it well, that the primary theme of both Old and New Testaments is about a wedding. More allegories than we are typically aware of with our post-modern, Western worldview point to the nuptials of Christ and His bride. In response to that, he draws from Scripture, as well as ancient Jewish traditions and writing that are often neglected by Evangelical Christians. It’s a beautiful discovery.
Last week we examined some of the kingdom language in the Book of Esther. Considering the subject matter today, we will return again to the Book of Esther to unveil the bridal motif.
The bridal distinction of the church is difficult for many Christians to grasp, especially men, for obvious reasons. Our drive toward intimacy, which we emphasize frequently, takes on a certain complexion when we only use our carnal mind. Intimacy between the sexes is expressed very differently; by design, I might add. For women, intimacy may be long walks on the beach, holding hands and engaging in deep, emotional conversation. For men, intimacy typically translates into sex.
I don’t know why God created us male and female, other than for celestial comic relief. It is noteworthy to point out a few bullet points about our sexual dynamic before we dive in. First, Jesus refrained from engaging in sexual intimacy not to condemn it. Many scholars agree that He considered sex a precious gift for mankind. Furthermore, He said that, “in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like the angels of God in heaven.” Mt. 22:30. Note that He didn’t say that we are angels!!! Also interesting to point out that all angelic beings depicted in Scripture are male. The Hebrew and Greek words for “angel” are always male. This is not to diminish women in any way. It’s just an observation. But you might want to get rid of all those cute, female angel pictures. They’re not Scriptural. Finally, in Genesis chapter two, God only gives the newly formed couple two instructions that are recorded: don’t mess with the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and be fruitful and multiply. Hence the sacredness of sexual intimacy.
Esther’s Hebrew name is, “Hadassah”, which means “Myrtle.” The myrtle tree, in Hebrew literature is a symbol of fertility. There are several similarities that we can draw from the narrative that point to Christ and His bride, the church. First, I should point out that the fact that King Ahasuerus deposes, or divorces, his first wife Vashti is not necessarily congruent with God’s rejection of Israel, as we pointed out last week; even though this account is post Jeremiah, where God says, “Then I saw that for all the causes for which backsliding Israel and committed adultery, I had put her away and given her a certificate of divorce,” Jer. 3:8. We do not endorse, what has come to be called, “replacement theology” which states that God has rejected Israel and is now focused on the church.
The first similarity to our theme is that Esther is chosen out of obscurity. “Many are called, but few are chosen.” Mt. 22:14. Also, Peter points out, “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. I Pt. 2:9. Esther was an orphan, who somehow ended up in Shushan, living with her uncle Mordecai, as a result of the exile. The orphan theme, likewise, runs through Scripture frequently, but for our purpose I would like to point out that Jesus said to the church, “I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” Jn. 14:18. His coming will be likened to the coming of the bridegroom in the parable He told; “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’” Mt. 25:6
Jesus church is typically from obscure ranks. Just look at the disciples. Paul highlights this theme in his first letter to the church at Corinth; “For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence. I Cor. 1:26-31. Esther is an archetype for this.
Esther goes through a year of mysterious beauty preparations; “six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with perfumes and preparations for beautifying women.” Est. 2:12. The church as a whole is being sanctified for our union with Christ. Paul put it this way, “Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 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.” Eph. 5:25-27
Esther is called upon to intercede for the Jews. She plays both a prayerful roll and an active role by laying down her life. Consider how we are called to lay down our lives as, “a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable,” for an unbelieving world. This an outward demonstration of the godly character that was already formed in Esther. It is the very thing, not just her beauty, for all the women gathered to the citadel were beautiful, but her character that won the heart of the king. Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” Jn. 15:13. Saying, “if I perish I perish”, she risked her life, by presenting herself to the king without being summoned, which was punishable by death, unless the king held out the golden scepter, saying. This is reminiscent of the occasion when Jacob wrestled with God and we read, “So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: ‘For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.” Gen. 32:30.
Brant Pitre says that “salvation is not just about the forgiveness of sins. From a biblical perspective, salvation is about union with God.” Jesus prays this ; “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us…”Jn. 17:20-21. Jesus is speaking of the macrocosm of the church as a whole, like one organism. This is where it becomes difficult to grasp because of our hyper emphasis on a personal God. We translate it to think as though God has millions of wives. Peter puts it this way, “Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” I Pet. 2:4-5. Paul also weighs in, “For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.” I Cor. 12:12. In the marriage relationship we see the same dynamic, “’For the two,’ He says, ‘shall become one flesh.’” I Cor. 6:16. We surrender our sovereignty in marriage and in the church.
How much more does this oneness, that we are driving toward, emphasis the need for forgiveness, patience with one another, kindness, brotherly love, all of which are relational virtues. Paul continues, “But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another.” I Cor. 12:24-25
The Bible begins and ends with a wedding: “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.” Gen. 2:18 “Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife.” Rev. 21:9. The body of the Scripture keeps pointing to these bookends. God’s intent is to gather us together to Himself in love. It’s not that there is any need in God, but His character precipitates this expansion of creativity. “God is love.” I Jn. 4:8
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