Shoshbin

John 3:²⁹ “He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands by and listens to him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. So this pleasure and joy of mine is now complete.” (AMP, emphasis added).

The bridegroom’s best-man in the Jewish culture is called the shoshbin. In those times, the stealing of brides was very rampant. Usually, after the bride has been prepared, there will be some bandits lurking, waiting for an opportunity to grab the bride. It was very rampant; so, the shoshbin has the duty of protecting the bride. Once the bride enters the bride chamber, preparing herself for her groom, the shoshbin stands at the door with a sword. The shoshbin can also have friends that help him but as the best-man, he is responsible.

And it is at midnight that the bridegroom arrives. When Jesus gives those parables about the bridegroom coming at midnight. I always used to wonder why the bridegroom comes at midnight. We see that it is a cultural thing.  When the bridegroom comes at midnight, the shoshbin unable to see who is coming because of the distance calls out to him. Since the best man knows his voice, he rejoices at his voice beckoning on him to come to his waiting bride. When the bridegroom enters and locks the door, the joy of the shoshbin is complete and he goes away rejoicing. “…So this pleasure and joy of mine is now complete” (emphasis added).

Jesus is the Bridegroom and as believers, we are to be His shoshbin to the unbelievers. It becomes our ultimate pleasure and joy to deliver our loved ones who are close to us but far from God to Christ. If you are reading this today and you do not have a relationship with Jesus, it is my pleasure to be your shoshbin and to deliver Him, your bridegroom even right now. Lift your hands to Him.

Please study the verses below; as you do this study, we trust the Lord to open your eyes and He will because He is waiting for you to do this study. Write down what ministers to you in the spaces provided.

John3:³¹ “The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks about earthly things. The one who comes from heaven is above all. “(NRSV, emphasis added). ________________________________________________________________________________________

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John3:³³ “Whoever has accepted his testimony has certified this, that God is true.” (emphasis added). ____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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John3:^34-36 “For he is sent by God. He speaks God’s words, for God gives him the Spirit without limit. The Father loves his Son and has put everything into his hands. And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment.” (emphasis added). __________________________________________

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Prayer: Father, I thank You for revealing the secrets in Your Word to me, in Jesus Name. Amen!