Wednesday, August 7, 2024

Ephesians 5:29

 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. Ephesians 5:29

Jesus does not hate His body(the church) nor is He mad at, nor divorcing her even for her marital unfaithfulness. Let’s dive into the words nourish & cherish!

Nourish-in Greek-ektrepho- means: to rear, bring up, train up, care for, to feed and to nurse. If you look at one of the compound Hebrew names of God, El Shaddai it is mostly translated as “God Almighty.” One often over looked meaning is “full breasted one” and appears in:

Genesis 17:1, Genesis 28:1, Genesis 35:11, Genesis 43:14 & Psalm 91. 

We as children of God operating in the understanding of grace will be fed, well cared for and will grow to maturity as we should. (See Genesis 49:25, Hebrews 12:2). 

The breast of an animal sacrifice was to be used as a wave offering to express love and affection to God. (Exodus 29:27) Breasts refer to God’s people receiving the best, richest treasures of their defeated enemies. (Isaiah 60:16) Breasts refer to loyalty, love and devotion. (Revelation 15:6)

El Shaddai, the Almighty God, the All sufficient One, the Full Breasted One is: the nurturer of His children, the provider of nourishment for life: the One who is more than enough!

Cherishes in Greek is thalpo and means: to soften by heat, to keep warm. A bird covers her young in the nest with her feathers to keep them warm and protected. (Deuteronomy 22:6-7) Metaphorically we can say it this way: to cherish with tender love, to foster with tender care. (1 Thessalonians 2:7)

This is an excerpt from my discipleship class and as I was reading this, Holy Spirit impressed me to share. It’s vital we understand that God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are not mad at us! They’re not disappointed in us! They’re instead calling us up into deeper relationship with them. May we heed this and release anything hindering us in being better children, better husbands and better wives. Amen!

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