Voice of the Bridegroom, Voice of the Bride

A long title for a short post.

The prophets sometimes portray the collapse of Jerusalem by saying that the “voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride will be heard no more” (Jeremiah 7:34; 25:10; 33:11; Revelation 18:23).  ”I say there shall be no more marriages,” Yahweh says.  But of course the voices of the bridegroom and the bride are also the voices of Yahweh and Israel.  Those voices too cease: Yahweh no longer will woo His bride, His bride will no longer speak her admiration of her Husband.  When the temple falls, even the divine Bridegroom and His bride fall silent.  ”I say there shall be no more festivals,” Yahweh says.

No wonder John rejoices when he hears the Bridegroom’s voice (John 3:29).  If the Bridegroom starts speaking again, Daughter Zion is going to be called back to her Lover, the temple will be restored, the voice of gladness will again be heard.