This Sunday our prayer pastor Geannine LeBude was our speaker. Below is the introduction to her sermon.
I shared in May how Queen Esther prepared a Banquet of Wine for the King instead of petitioning him with her request. She prepared this lavish dinner with the best of wine for the soul purpose of stirring up the romantic inclinations and emotions of the king. Esther was reminding the king at every turn how much he loved her, how excited he had been at the prospect of their marriage. She was standing before him in all her glory not ashamed to be called his own, not hesitant to allow the nobles to see her beauty, thus bringing honor to the king’s name. She prepared this banquet in order to prepare the King’s heart for her petition. She trusted the King’s love for her and believed due to his affection for her he would intervene on her behalf.
In the culture of the Middle East, the Banquet of Wine was rooted in the most romantic tradition the engagement feast given upon the public announcement of the betrothal of a man to his prospective bride.
As I read about the Banquet of Wine I became very interested in how this actual banquet was used in scripture. And how Jesus used this cultural banquet to symbolize His betrothal to His bride. We see it referenced in the Song of Solomon and we also see a connection to this banquet at the Last Supper.
Song of Solomon 2:4-5 He brought me to the banqueting house, And his banner over me was love. Sustain me with cakes of raisins, Refresh me with apples, For I am lovesick.
In the Song of Solomon, when the Shulamite is taken to the king to his “Banqueting House” the literal translation is “the House of Wine.” The House of Wine, with its banner of love overarching all of the couple’s interactions, was the formal setting for the betrothal feast.
In looking at the banquet of wine we must look at the Jewish Wedding Customs and how it is referred to in both the Old and New Testaments and how Jesus himself taught the disciples about His betrothal to His bride using this custom.
“One example of God’s love for us is displayed in the ancient Jewish wedding. It consisted of three phases: the betrothal phase, the wedding phase and the celebration phase.” by Dr. Richard Booker
Reference for my sermon comes from – Here Comes the Bride Jewish Wedding Customs and the Messiah by Dr. Richard Booker.