In our last letter we saw that God’s original thought in creating man and the garden was for Him to fellowship with us. Let’s look at what grows in the garden.

In the garden we see an orchard of pomegranates, choice fruits, Henna with Nard plants, Nard and Saffron, Calamus and Cinnamon, trees of Frankincense, Myrrh and Aloes and all the finest spices. As we at the symbolism of these spices and fruits, we will learn about what should be in the Bridal garden, which is her soul life. The first thing we discover in the garden is an orchard of pomegranates. Pomegranates signify Pure and Godly thoughts. The literal translation for the word orchard is Paradise. So the bride’s mind is becoming a paradise of Godly thought, how is this orchard maintained, it is maintained by dwelling upon God’s word, day and night, keeping and speaking His word. Phil 4:8

“For the rest, brethren whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly. Whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, and whatever is kind and winsome and gracious. If there is any virtue and excellence. If there is anything worthy of praise. Think on and weigh and take account of these things (fix your mind on these things).

As a result of keeping our minds pure, and holding godly thoughts, it gives the Bride the ability to have greater insights along with her understanding being enlightened. Psalm119: 98-100.

So as we seek fellowship with Him, our minds are fixed on His word, in the garden were choice fruits, these fruit are the one’s found in Gal;5:22-23. When we renew our mind, the fruit of the spirit springs forth in our lives. Through the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, we bring forth fruit for every good works.

We also see Henna and Nard plants in the Garden; Henna is famed for its fragrant shrub. Our Lord is full of beautiful fragrance-when we are full of sweet fragrance, the Lord can recognize His likeness being reproduced in us. In 2Corn:3:18 it say what happens in our soul as we behold the Glory of the Lord, we are being transformed into the same image, and we are to be a reflection of Him.

Another plant in the garden was Nard, which gives out a great fragrance, when we are feeding on the strong meat of God’s word, and having intimate communion with Him, there will be this fragrance of Nard coming forth from the bride, Nard will be the fragrance of our love and appreciation for Him. In John 12:3 we see Mary when she comes to the see the Lord at the Pharisees house, she has come to express her deep devotion to the Lord, her expression of love towards the Lord, and  anointed Jesus feet with the anointment and cried and then wiped His feet with her hair. The whole house was full of that fragrance of the ointment and everyone in her presence was blessed. Likewise when we are walking close with the Lord, we should be filled with this fragrance of appreciation and love for our King, so all those come around us can be blessed.

The other fragrance found in the Garden was Cinnamon and the finest spices; these spices were a component of the holy anointing oil. Smelling of Cinnamon and all the finest spices the bride has been anointed as a holy place where God can meet with her, as one who has the privilege of ministering to Him, the bride is anointed as holy unto the Lord, set a part as a meeting place for Him alone.

We also saw Trees of Frankincense and this was used to make the priestly incense, this was offered every morning and evening, which were the prayers of the saints (Rev 5:8, rev 8:3, 4).The fragrance of all the tree of Frankincense coming from the garden of Bride, represents the soothing aroma of life filled with Praise unto God, and that with much Variety. In Psalms 149;1-6 we see some of the varieties of praise.1 Anew song.2 Rejoicing and being glad in Him. 3. Dancing.4. Playing of timbrel and Lyre. 5. Singing with joy.

Finally we see Myrrh and Aloes in the garden, In Psalms 45 it talks about the King’s marriage and it says the garment of the King smell of Myrrh and aloes, Garments have to do will all outward attitudes, behavior and external appearances. When Our Lord was crucified he was anointed with Myrrh and Aloes, see Myrrh and Aloes signifies suffering love, Jesus demonstrated His suffering love for us. The Brides garden smells of this suffering love, how does the bride demonstrates this suffering love is by enduring trials, and persecution for being His, we also see that the apostles, they were flogged, persecuted, slandered, yet went away rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for his name.

As we close, let me summaries about these spices and fruits discovered that the soul life of the believer should be changed.

• Her mind is a paradise of Godly thoughts(The orchard of pomegranates)
  
• She is maintaining the fruit of the spirit in her life and bringing forth fruit unto God.
  
• She is being transformed into His image of the Lord from Glory to Glory. His image can be seen in her(Henna and Nard)
  
• She has been appointed as a holy place ,set apart as a meeting place for Him alone (Cinnamon & Calamus)
  
• She gives forth the fragrance of a life filled with praise unto God(Frankincense)
  
• Finally she brings forth the quality of suffering, as she follows her love(Myrrh and Aloes)