Shelter of the Almighty

In the Jewish faith, wedding couples get married under a chuppah (pronounced hoo-pah), a canopy made with a tapestry atop four poles. The word itself means "cover." Tradition said, when a boy was born to plant a cedar tree and when a girl was born to plant a pine tree. When the two married, the trees where cut down and a chuppah made from the two. It symbolizes the bride coming into the groom's home. It was essential in the Jewish ceremony because marrying under it sealed the union that began with a betrothal. It's referred to in Joel 2:16, which says, "Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her canopy" (chuppah) and in Psalm 19:5, "which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy." In ancient times, it was the room where the marriage was consummated, but later just became the arch under which they were married.


This chuppah tradition has evolved into a wedding arch for Christian weddings. They can be made of wrought iron, wood, bamboo or plastic. Typically used in outdoor weddings, they are usually decorated with items found in the marital setting, like vines at a vineyard, seashells at the beach, flowers in a garden and branches in the woods and sometimes have flowing fabrics interwoven. The arch can be a focal point and set the mood of the ceremony. It doesn't overshadow the bride and groom, but rather romantically frames them. It can also provide them with a little shade at a sunny ceremony.

Rob and Ayla have chosen to get married under a wedding arch. Just recently Ayla texted a picture of the arch your friend Lindy is making as a gift to you both for the wedding. It will be a lovely setting and backdrop for the two of you to exchange your vows and will certainly add to the ambiance of your deck top wedding on the Manatee River. I personally look forward to seeing you both along with Daddy, standing beneath it.

While the Jewish chuppah is about a husband providing shelter for his new wife, you both will eternally reside in the shelter of our Father. I like to think of the arch as a shelter of the Almighty as described in Psalm 91:1 "You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the Lord, 'My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.'" In Revelation 7:15, Christ talks about God spreading His tent over us. And Christ himself "covered" our sins. God is our Strong Tower, our Refuge and our Fortress. Psalm 27:5 says, "For He will hide me in his shelter, in the day of trouble; He will conceal me under the cover of his tent; He will set me high on a rock.'" It's a place of protection and trust.

Next fall, you will stand beneath an arch to recite vows and you will also be searching for an actual shelter that you will share together as husband and wife after the wedding. We pray both will provide you with a sense of protection and trust in our Father ... one symbolically and one actually. 


Discussion: What do you think of the tradition of the chuppah? Have you talked about what kind of home you will have together? How does a home give you a sense of protection and trust? Do you feel that from the Lord?

Prayer: Lord, may our homes be a place where we feel safe and loved. We thank you for being our Shelter, especially in times of trial. We praise Your name always. In Jesus, Amen.