A foundational premise of the marital relationship is the physical expression of love. When this action is mistaken for the baser act of simply “sex,” the emotional needs of the marital partners will go unfulfilled. Despite a stronger instinctive physical drive for sex from men, and a greater need for the tender affirming affections of sex from women, both men and women are validated in their marital relationship through the union of “two flesh become one.” If love is absent from the physical conversation between husband and wife, the same result will occur as if a verbal conversation occurred lacking love. Neither partner will be validated, nurtured, or respected through the mutual appreciation each could have expressed in love toward the other. Not all men approached love the same as other men. Neither do women. And both men and women often communicate love in manners that are misunderstood by their partners.

Perhaps unknowingly, Dr. Myles Monroe from his writing on the Day 65 devotional in A Man of Purpose and Power, hit all five modes of how love is communicated from Dr. Gary Chapman’s teaching of “The Five Love Languages.” “Her needs can be met by plenty of hugs and kisses; (love language: Physical Touch), a steady flow of words, (love language: Words of Affirmation), cards, and flowers, common courtesies, (love language: Acts of Service), and meaningful gifts, (love language: Gifts), that show that the man is thinking of her- that he esteems her and values her presence, (love language: Quality Time), in his life.”

Sex is a physical communication of love for some but may be less significant than other ways to express love for others. The ways men and women best experience and appreciate the love from their partners can change as their relationship matures, and the two grow to know each other more intimately. One of the greatest expressions of love and intimacy is one that Dr. Chapman doesn't include in his five love languages – “Commitment.” In Genesis 24 we see a beautifully naive but trusting response to the offer of a marital commitment that results in a historically epic love. From Genesis 24:22, 30, & 47, we read of the jewelry that Abraham, (the Father), offered from the hand of his servant Eliezer, on behalf of Isaac, (the Son), to Rebecca, (the intended for betrothal). The fact that a nose ring was part of the jewelry gift is an often-overlooked detail in this passage, but there are several things we must understand about it. That specific piece of jewelry (the nose ring) would have been understood by Rebekah to be very significant, and as representing an intended marital betrothal. Also, Rebecca accepted it before consulting with any other authority in her life, (her father or brother Laban). And - you don't “casually get your nose pierced” so you can receive a gift. Sure, she would have instantly recognized it as a gift of great value, and as representing the great wealth of the person on whose behalf it was offered, but accepting a gift that would be placed as a body piercing on your face, is a commitment that everyone who sees her after that would immediately recognize. We cannot overlook too, the symbolism of our own response to the intimate offering in our relationship with Christ, and the gift of greatest value - Salvation. This same symbolism, yes, of a nose ring, is later seen in Ezekiel 16:11-14, as God makes the same gift to a poor, naked, and filthy, yet beautiful Jerusalem. These passages symbolize our own response to the Gospel, conferring royalty as we become children of the Most High God. This is what we see bestowed on Rebecca through her betrothal to Isaac, and in Ezekiel 16:11-14, (v.13 “...You became extremely beautiful and attained royalty…”). The element of us receiving this gift after it has been offered, (Genesis 24:22, “took” וַיִּקַּ֤ח – yiq-qah, from the Hebrew, has the primary root meaning “to extend- hold out,” Strong’s Concordance), is also our sign of submission to and acceptance of bridal covenant with the LORD. We may respond later in sinfully rebellious ways, as Jerusalem did in Ezekiel 16:15-26, or we may respond in affirming submissive acceptance, as Rebecca did when finally called by the authority in her life to answer specifically for herself before traveling to be joined with her betrothed, Isaac. This is symbolic for us of our Salvation and betrothal to Christ and acceptance of Salvation.

Genesis 24:57-58 So they said, “Let's call the girl and ask her opinion.” They called Rebecca and said to her, “Will you go with this man?” She replied, “I will go.”

Even during that day, when covenant marital relationships were transactional and emotionless, we see Isaac’s response to Rebecca when they meet – a response that rewards her trust and faith.

Genesis 24:67 “…Isaac loved her.”

In our submissiveness, we can expect the same response from God.