Eight Wedding Gifts from a Father to his Beloved Son

When the men of our church gathered together to give David their counsel on his upcoming marriage, I said this:

David we have been constant companions as we have walked together here at home, all over this country and the world. I want to bless you tonight before these men with two things, eight gifts from the Lord.

First, are these eight gifts from the Lord that God gives to all men who love Him and are called according to His purpose. The Lord has given these to me and now I give them to you.  These things have been mine and now they are yours. I pass them to you.

1. A Scepter – It is an emblem of authority for dominion. It is held in the hand with the mantle of leadership upon your head. “The husband is the head of the wife” - This makes you a governor, a prophet, a priest and a king, (Ephesians 5:22-33).

2. A Shepherds Staff –It is the staff of a guide. “Husbands love your wives as Christ also loved the church.” The good shepherd hands to you His staff knowing that, “Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me,” (Psalm 23).

3. A Basket with Bread and Wine – It is the vehicle for nourishment as it contains the elements of nourishment. Like Christ, you are called to “feed the 5000,” while at the same time you will learn that "God [will] provide a table in the wilderness?” (Ps 78).

4. A Root –It is the emblem of fruitfulness and it brings with it a world of fruitfulness, which is partly captured in the statement,"Be fruitful and multiply." The parable of the talents with it's emphasis on work and multiplication, informs us of how we bear fruit.

5. A Sword – This “sword” is the emblem of truth but it is no ordinary sword for it is the “Sword of the Spirit.” It is perfect, “The law of the Lord is perfect,” (Psalm 19) and powerful (Hebrews 4:12) and sweet, “how sweet are your words to my taste,” (Ps 119:123).

6. A Heart – It is the emblem of love that fulfills the whole law. With this heart you will “Chrerish” your new wife with it’s real heat that is communicated in the Greek word for Cherish - “thalpe.”

7. A Cross – It is the emblem of sacrifice, atonement and the center of history. The cross shows us the greatness of our sins, how valuable it is to crucify the flesh and how blessed it is to find what is worthy of boasting about – “God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of Christ," (Galatians 6:14).

8. A Baton – It is the emblem of the generations as you teach the commandments of the Lord to your children and your children’s children (Psalm 78:5-6).

David, you have been a good son and I am grateful for all of what the Lord gave us during your time under my roof. We now possess many precious and pleasant riches from these times. The lines have fallen in pleasant places. I love you my son.