The
traditions of a Christian wedding grow out of God's *covenant relationship with
Israel and Christ's relationship with the believer. God uses the (ancient) Jewish
wedding to illustrate redemption and Christ's relationship with the Church.
Here are a few interesting parallels between the Jewish wedding in the day of
Christ, to the relationship we have to Christ through Salvation!
THE JEWISH WEDDING
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RELATIONSHIP TO SALVATION
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1. The prospective
bridegroom took the initiative and traveled from his father's house to the
home of the prospective bride.
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Christ left His Father's
house and came to earth to gain a bride for Himself. (Ephesians 5:25-28)
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2. The father of the
woman then negotiated with the prospective bridegroom the price that must be
paid to secure his bride.
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Christ had to pay the
price with His own blood. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
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3. When the bridegroom
paid the purchase price, the marriage covenant was thereby established. At that point, the man and woman were
regarded to be husband and wife, even though no physical union had taken
place.
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The believer has been
declared to be sanctified or set apart exclusively for Christ. (Ephesians 5:25-27)
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4. The moment the
covenant was established, the bride was declared to be set apart exclusively
for the bridegroom. The groom and the
bride then drank from a cup over which the betrothal (marriage) benediction
had been pronounced. This symbolized
that the covenant relationship had been established.
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Christ symbolized this
marriage covenant through communion at the Last Supper. (1 Corinthians 11:25)
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5. After the marriage
covenant was in effect, the groom left the home of the bride and returned to
his father's house. He remained there
for a period of 12 months separated from his bride.
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Christ returned to His
Father's house following the payment of His purchase price. (John 6:62)
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6. During this
separation, the bride prepared her wardrobe and prepared for married
life. The groom prepared living
accommodations in his father's house for his bride.
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Christ is preparing a
place for His bride and is also sending pastors and teachers to perfect the
bride for the coming wedding known as "the Marriage Supper of the
Lamb". (John 14:2)
(Ephesians 4:11-13) |
7. After this period of separation, the groom,
best man, and other male escorts left the house of the groom's father,
usually at night, and conducted a torch-light procession to the house of the
bride.
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Christ will soon come
from His Father's house in heaven accompanied by an angelic host. (John 14:3)
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8. The bride was
expecting her groom to come for her; however, she didn't know the exact
time. Thus, the groom's arrival was
preceded by a shout!
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Christ's return will be
preceded by a shout. (1 Thessalonians 4:16). We expect His return, but we do
not know the day or the hour.
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9. The groom received the
bride with her female attendants and returned to his father's house.
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The bride will be caught
up with the Lord to be with Him. (1 Thessalonians 4:14-17)
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10. The bride and
bridegroom then entered the bridal chamber and, in the privacy of that place,
entered into physical union for the first time, thereby consummating the
marriage!
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Christ's union with the
Church will take place in heaven for all eternity. (1 Thessalonians 4:17)
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How does a COVENANT Differ From a CONTRACT?
· A
covenant is based on trust between parties.
A contract is based on distrust.
·
A
covenant is based on unlimited responsibility
A contract is based on limited
liability.
·
A
covenant cannot be broken if new circumstances occur.
A contract can be voided by
mutual consent.
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from IBLP
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