Flowers have been associated with romantic love between a husband and a wife since the very dawn of time. Perhaps Adam was the first husband to ever give his wife a flower in the Garden of Eden. A bride typically holds a bouquet of flowers on her wedding day. In many weddings, the groom also wears a boutonniere pinned to the lapel of his coat.
Whether to mark an anniversary, a wife’s birthday, or Mother’s Day, flowers are often involved or given. Is this connection accidental? Is it merely because of advertisements from the local flower shop? No! There is a deeper and grander connection.
Flowers are associated with love in the Bible, and specifically with the love of Christ for His Church. In the Song of Solomon, the bridegroom announced himself with these words, “I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys” (Song of Solomon 2:1). This parallels the announcement of Christ identifying Himself to His bride.
Later in the same chapter, the groom speaks to the bride of spring. “Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come” (Song of Solomon 2:10–12). In chapter six, the bride seeks for her departed beloved and realizes that he has gone down to his garden “to gather lilies” (verse 2).
In what ways do flowers further illustrate the love of God toward us? Let’s consider these observations about flowers:
Flowers are beautiful.
God has adorned this world with lovely flowers of every shape, size, and color. They testify of the Creator’s love for beauty. A Godly marriage, testifying of the union between Christ and His bride, is a beautiful thing to behold.
Flowers have a sweet fragrance.
Flowers not only look good, but they smell good too! Like a fragrant rose, a Christian marriage that reflects Christ’s love should give off the perfume of holiness and attract others to the Lord Jesus.
Flowers are delicate.
Flower petals tear easily, and they quickly fade when they are deprived of water. Like a delicate flower, a healthy marriage takes constant effort to nurture it so it will thrive.
Flowers are temporary.
No matter how beautiful or fragrant, a flower only exists for a short while. This brief and soon fleeting existence is a reminder that no earthly marriage will last forever. By contrast, our marriage with Christ will be eternal.
Flowers are fruitful.
Flowers die—that is true. But flowers live on through bearing seeds. So, also, a Godly marriage that exemplifies the fruitfulness of the marriage of Christ and His bride bears the same purpose as the flowers. Marriage is God’s chosen means of raising up the seed of Godly generations that will continue to produce fruit.
Flowers teach us to trust God
Jesus used the flowers in the Sermon on the Mount to remind us to put our trust in our Heavenly Father, Who cares for the lilies. He is the same Father Who lovingly and faithfully watches over our marriages.
