Creating A Passionate Marriage Series

Making A Masterpiece Marriage Series (2 of 3)

"Creating a Passionate Marriage"

February 9, 2003 FBC, Chester, IL Mike Fogerson, Speaker

Introduction:

Once upon a time, in the region of Lebanon in the near east, there was a girl by the name of "Cindy."

A Her father, who owned a large vineyard, had died when she was just seven. Leaving the vineyard to her 3 older brothers, her mother and her.

a The brothers stayed drunk most of the day and harassed her as she labored in the fields. (Made fun of her dark suntan, skinny legs and callused hands)

b She dare not let them see her cry, for they would be even more merciless.

(Mother couldn’t help here either)

B She would go to bed every night, crying herself to sleep to the sound of her 3 brothers snoring in a drunken stupor and her mother tossing and turning in the next room.

a One day she was pruning the vines, tying some up so they would be eaten by animals or rot in the early morning rains of Lebanon, when she noticed a young, handsome man standing at the end of the row. (She didn’t make eye contact...maybe he’d go away.) He didn’t. After 15 minutes of him starring at her she starred back.

"The young lily has noticed me." The young man announced.

"Me? I’ve spent to much time in the sun, I’m much darker than any girl in this area." she said.

*"You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on. Let me take a closer look."

SS 1:15 How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, how beautiful! Your eyes are doves.

*My, my you are sweet with words, I haven’t seen you around here before. Who are you? "You don’t know who I am? Surely you must have seen me around here? Let’s just say, I’m a shepherd lad. Can I see you here tomorrow, at about this same time?" "Oh, yes, I’m not going anywhere. My work keeps me chained to this vineyard."

b The next day as "Cindy" was working, the shepherd lad helped her finish her work and then he said, "I have a surprise for you." He led her over a knoll where there was a beautiful meal spread out for them on a fine blanket beside a brook flowing gently, just under the largest cedar tree on the property.

*During the dinner the lad asked "I’d like to speak to your father Cindy." Indicating he wanted to set up a marriage agreement with her father. He’s dead. Can I talk to your mother? I’m afraid my brothers will have more say in this matter. They won’t want to lose my labor. "I see, I think I know how to handle them. Just leave it all to me." (Cindy was skeptical, but if anyone could handle her brothers, it was this young man.)

*"I’ve got to go away for a while, will you wait on me? " "Yes, but don’t be long. I don’t think I can stand to be separated from you." "I will be back soon, until then, I will think only of your lovely face."

(Cindy was so excited. One day she was laborer in the fields, the next, an engaged woman anticipating escape from the tyranny of her brothers.)

C Weeks went by and she heard nothing from the Shepard lad, her mother/brothers said nothing about an engagement. (Every thought of Cindy’s was for her love.)

a Occasionally her dreams turned dark,

SS 3:1 All night long on my bed I looked for the one my heart loves;

I looked for him but did not find him. 2 I will get up now and go about the city, through its streets and squares; I will search for the one my heart loves. So I looked for him but did not find him.

b Weeks and months passed. Doubts increased. Maybe The Shepard boy had forgotten her. Maybe he’d found another and decided not to marry Cindy after all. She just knew he’d come back.

*One day she was working in the vineyard when the neighbor girl said over the fence, "The king is coming! The king is coming! SS 3:7 Look! It is Solomon’s carriage,

escorted by sixty warriors, the noblest of Israel, 8 all of them wearing the sword, all experienced in battle, each with his sword at his side, prepared for the terrors of the night. 9 King Solomon made for himself the carriage; he made it of wood from Lebanon. 10 Its posts he made of silver, Its base of gold. Its seat was upholstered with purple, its interior lovingly inlaid by the daughters of Jerusalem.

*The girl took Cindy by the arm and went to the processional. Cindy watched in awe as the soldiers marched by her, two by two with their beautiful uniforms and razor sharp swords. Then she heard a command to "Halt" and the royal carriage stopped in front of her.