Let us explore the significance of spices used for burials in Ancient Times.

One of these spices, is myrrh. Myrrh was used as an ingredient for embalming the dead and is symbolic of Christ’s death.

In Scripture it is revealed that using myrrh as a bridal tradition was a custom in those days. In Esther 2:12 the Bible describes the preparation Esther had to undergo before she became
queen. This involved six months of beauty treatments with oil of myrrh, a spice commonly used for preparing a body for burial.

In Song of Songs 1:13 we read about another example of this custom, “A bundle of myrrh is my beloved to me, that lies all night between my breasts.” This reflects a custom of laying a bundle of myrrh on ones breast while sleeping as a beauty treatment, in preparation for a wedding.

Both these examples teach us that the first step in becoming the bride of Christ, is to spiritually put the flesh to death. In the same way as Esther prepared to enhance her beauty with myrrh, so the Holy Spirit guides us to lay down our lives and die to self. In this way we are stripped from our fleshly characteristics to become more like Christ. This we do so we can know Christ personally, experience His resurrection power, be a partner in His suffering and go all the way with Him to death itself.

Because of Christ’s suffering, we as His bride can share in His victory over sin, the world and the flesh. Esther did not do this alone. The Bible tells us that she had the king’s eunuch to help and guide her. We too must get ourselves ready, with the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit.
The works of the flesh are the first issues that God is going to deal with in our lives when we
accept Him.

In Galatians 5:19-21 we learn what the works of the flesh are:
:19 “… immorality, impurity, indecency,
:20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, selfishness, division, party spirit,
:21 envy, drunkenness, carousing. I warn you beforehand, that those who do such things shall
not inherit the kingdom of God.”

However, in Galatians 5:22-24 we read what the fruit of the Holy Spirit is:
:22 “…love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness
:23 humility, self-control
:24 Those who belong to the Messiah have crucified the flesh,”

The more time we spend with our Groom, the sooner we will die to the flesh and start to display the fruit of the Spirit. In this way we send forth a lovely fragrance into the lives of the people around us.

Revelation 8:3-4 

:3 “… he was given very much incense, fragrant spices and gums which exhale perfume when burned, that he might mingle it with the prayers of all the people of God upon the golden altar before the throne.

:4 “And the smoke of the perfume arose in the presence of God…

Psalm 45:8,10,11
:8 “Your garments are all fragrant with myrrh, aloes and cassia;” When Jesus returns for His bride, we will actually smell His coming, because His garments will be soaked in these fragrances rising in the presence of God.
:10 “forget also your own people and your father’s house,
:11 So will the King desire your beauty; because He is your Lord, be submissive and reverence and honour Him.”

When you spend time with your Bridegroom, the King, embracing Him and praying to Him, you are going to have that fragrance on you too. When you go out into the world, people will notice that you have been with your King.

Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, today I want to submit my life to you completely. Guide me by Your Spirit so that I may lay down my life and die to the flesh. Help me to prepare for our wedding feast, so that I will be ready when you come for your spotless bride. Amen.