“He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.”
Here the Bride begins to explain, or describe, the sweetness of his fruit; or to describe why the fruit is so sweet. She reveals her Beloved’s actions toward her submission to him. When her Beloved sees how his Bride views him (his beauty, his preeminence, his value), then he moves in her direction.
First, we look at “He brought me to the banqueting house.” The phrase “He brought me” indicates the plan and purpose of the husband to bring his wife, his Bride, to a certain place or position to be with him. It also reveals his power to do what he had planned and purposed. It reveals his desire for her; and that he had taken note of her desire to sit under his shadow.
If only Godly women in marriage could perceive the God-ordained position of a husband according to Ephesians 5:22-33. To see that it is her Beloved’s position to bring her. She cannot do it herself. She can only present herself and her desire and her submission (which is reflected in verse 3 by sitting under his shadow). But the Bride must realize that it is only her husband who can bring her into his fellowship; into his spirit; into his oneness; into his love. It is a sovereign act of the husband. He must bring her unto himself and take her to his prepared place.
The Bride must also realize that when she does present herself to her husband (or come to sit under his shadow); she must be pure, holy, and undefiled toward him and him alone, if she ever expects him to bring her into his prepared place. She must prove by her words and deeds that she is loyal, faithful, and single-eyed to her Beloved. She can speak of her faithfulness to him, but it must also be proven daily by her lifestyle.
The Bride must also demonstrate patience in waiting upon his movement to bring her into the prepared place. Patience brings experience and experience hope (Romans 5:3-5). Patience is brought about through tribulations, or resistance, or the trying of your faith (Romans 5:3; James 1:3). And when patience has her perfect work, then and only then will you be entire, wanting nothing (James 1:4).
Second, we see the place that her Beloved brought her was “to the banqueting house.” That is, her Beloved brought her to the house of rejoicing and joy and happiness; a house of praise and satisfaction and fulfillment and completeness. This house is the place where he reveals himself, and his desire and his love for her in the inner chambers; even the bedchamber. It is here that the Beloved expresses himself to her as at no other time. He opens up his spirit to her and brings her into his spirit and they become one. Here the Beloved brings his wife to consummation.
The bride then further describes her experience in the banqueting house with her Beloved; the third aspect is “And his banner over me was love.” She said he did not bring me to the banqueting house to fulfill his own lust, passion, and desire. He did not treat me as only an instrument to satisfy himself. “His banner over me” represents his purpose, his attitude toward his bride. The Beloved’s banner, or his intention, his purpose of this action, is described by the word “love.” This word describes and sets the tone of his actions toward her.
This word “love” indicates his purpose of Unity; Honor; Affection, or endearment; and Passion. This is gauged by his desire to fulfill her needs, and to treat her with respect and consideration, and to bring her to consummation; not in his selfishness, but in unity.
This word “love” also speaks of his desire to please Christ and to type out Christ in his attitude and all of his actions toward his wife. It reveals that his wife is not a tool; but is flesh of his flesh and bone of his bone; that she is his other half. It reveals he loves her as himself.
It reveals that he desires to show his wife her position to him and the importance of her position.
It reveals that he would lay his life down for her; that she is precious and priceless in his sight.
It speaks of testimony to all that view their relationship. He wants all to know of the value his bride is to him.
Women of God who are married to men that are saved, make sure that your husband’s banner over you is “love” (value, honor, respect, and a desire to lift you up to your God-ordained position of wife). If the banner over you is not love, it is time for a time-out and a discussion period with your husband. It is time for both of you to face God and His Word of Instruction. It is time to confess your faults and determine to follow Christ; then and only then, will the fruit be sweet to your taste.
Christ’s banner is Love over His Bride; proven in that He gave Himself for her on the Cross, where He was her Substitute, Sacrifice, and Savior.
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