The Wedding Night

Putting sex in a theological frame

• God gave sex to serve as the oath sign of the marriage covenant
• An oath sign is a symbol and expression of the covenant vows (Gn. 2.24)
• An oath sign is an ongoing, experiential renewal of the covenant and covenant vows (1 Cor. 7.4)

How does this frame help us think about sex with our spouse? 

• If sex is the oath sign, it needs to actually reflect God’s intent for the covenant of marriage (Song of Songs 4.1-5-1)
• Slide: 

You have stolen my heart, my sister, my bride;

    you have stolen my heart

with one glance of your eyes,

    with one jewel of your necklace.

10 How delightful is your love, my sister, my bride!

    How much more pleasing is your love than wine,

and the fragrance of your perfume

    more than any spice!

• Delight (4.9-10)
• Mutuality & Mutual Self-Giving (4-16, 5.1)
• Slide:

Awake, north wind,

    and come, south wind!

Blow on my garden,

    that its fragrance may spread everywhere.

Let my beloved come into his garden

    and taste its choice fruits.

I have come into my garden, my sister, my bride;

    I have gathered my myrrh with my spice.

I have eaten my honeycomb and my honey;

    I have drunk my wine and my milk.

• Intimacy & Exclusivity (4.12,16; 5.1)
• Slide:

(Lover) You are a garden locked up, my sister, my bride; you are a spring enclosed, a sealed fountain… 

(Beloved) Let my beloved come into his garden and taste its choice fruits… 

(Lover) I have come into my garden, my sister, my bride;

Assignments: If you are unmarried and striving to be faithful to Jesus in this area, thank-you. If you are married, talk with your spouse about how you can make sex a better expression and renewal of your vows.