““Then I passed by you and saw you, and behold, you were at the time for love; so I spread My skirt over you and covered your nakedness. I also swore to you and entered into a covenant with you so that you became Mine,” declares the Lord God.”
—Ezekiel 16:8

In the original context of today’s verse, God is speaking to Israel of His love for her. But through Yeshua, Gentiles have been grafted into the commonwealth of Israel, so this revelational word of God’s love applies to everyone who trusts in Him (Eph. 2:11–13). You and I are the bride of God through Messiah Jesus.

The apostle Paul said, “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church” (Eph. 5:31–32). Paul used the image of a man and woman becoming one in marriage to show us the type of union we now have with the Lord.

The Bible says in Revelation 19:9, “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” It’s a mind-blowing reality to recognize that God loves us with a marriage type of love. He’s not just the Lord in the sky who provides for all our needs. He’s not just El-Shaddai, the Almighty; He’s also the God who looks at us as His cherished spouse. We are His bride, and His banner over us is love. He not only meets our needs, but He also takes pleasure in spending time with us. Jesus didn’t die only to forgive you of your sins; that was just the beginning. Ultimately He died to marry you.

Beloved, love is the core of our relationship with God. Let’s have confidence in His love.

God, give me a revelation of Your Word so that I will truly understand that I am Your bride. Help me to comprehend that Your banner over me is love and You have brought me into a relationship with You in which You not only meet my needs but also take pleasure in me. Father, help me to receive this truth, not just in my head but in my heart. Let me know the width and height and depth of Your love for me. Father, fill me to overflowing. In the name of Yeshua, my Messiah, I ask and pray. Amen.

Rabbi Kirt A. Schneider, Rivers of Divine Truth (Lake Mary, FL: Charisma House, 2021), Used by permission.