KISLEV 11
Covering
“He
COVERS YOU with His feathers, And under His wings you take refuge …”
(Ps 91:4 ISR, emphasis mine)
During the early colonial times here in the United States, a
marriage custom arose when clergymen were few and far between. The custom came to be known as “Jumping over
the Broom”: when a couple had participated in this act, they were considered married, until such time as a
minister was available to legalize the already accomplished deed. Many such marriages never did have the
benefit of a clergyman, yet the marriage in question was still considered just as
legal and binding as if it had been blessed by clergy.
It was of especial interest to find the expression in
ancient Hebrew - “to spread one’s wings over” - means to legally take a wife. Tied in
together with this phrase is the fact that the corner of the tallit, the Jewish prayer shawl, is
often referred to as “a wing”[1]. The picture you are being given in the
opening verse is that of a man, placing his prayer shawl over a woman, to
declare her as his wife. What a parallel
of the loving care of our Heavenly Bridegroom this reveals!!
In chapter three of the Book of Ruth, we have the beautiful
story of the kinsman redeemer. Following
extensive directions given by Naomi (verses 3, 4), Ruth spends the night
sleeping at the bottom of Boaz’s bed. When he awakens in the middle of the
night, and discovers her there, he asks her who she is, and why is she
there. Her reply?
“I am Ruth your maidservant. Spread
your wing [OF PROTECTION] {your
tallit} over your maidservant, for you
are a next of kin.” (Ruth 3:9 AMPC,
emphasis and insert mine)
Years before her great-grandson was to write the words to
Psalm 91, Ruth understood the meaning of being “covered by the wings of
the El-Shaddai”, the All-Mighty Elohim.
She saw the significance of this in her relationship with Boaz, in the
shelter, security and protection that was to be found under those wings.
And for us, there is much to
be found waiting for us in that “secret place of the Most High”…
“For You have been my help, and in
the shadow of Your wings will I rejoice.
My whole being follows hard after You and CLINGS CLOSELY TO YOU; Your
right hand upholds me.” (Ps 63:7-8 AMPC, emphasis mine)
©2018
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