The Greatest Wedding
by Elder Brian Moore
In the written word of God we often view text with mind pictures. For example when we read a certain verse or text our mind begins to paint a picture giving us a visual of the meaning of words. Often those visuals are the result of our culture and or the era or part of the world in which we live. For example when the bible speaks of a wedding or a marriage a particular set of pictures come to mind. When we as westerners view the word marriage we are culturally inclined to imagine that which we are accustomed to ie (decorated churches, ornate bridal gowns, ceremonial procedures, bridesmaids, groomsmen). We often visualize the courtship followed by the engagement and finally the wedding ceremony itself. However, it is very important that when we read the bible that we understand that our picture of marriage is very different in comparison to biblical marriage. Biblical marriage references, in order to be properly understood, should be viewed from the perspective of Jewish tradition. One of the most profound illustrations of marriage in the bible is the depiction of the Church as the bride of Christ, in this short article I hope to shed a light on the wonderful teachings of the bible and it’s significance and parallel with the Jewish tradition of marriage.
In ancient Jewish tradition it is important to note that the “match” or what the Jews commonly referred to as the Shiddukhin, was always initiated by the Father. In other words the Father of the groom would initiate the marriage by choosing a bride for his son. This procedure could include the son asking his father to “Get me this young girl for a wife,” as in Genesis 34:3-6 but regardless of how the match took place it was always initiated by the Father of the groom. This in itself is a wonderful depiction of election, in that the Father chose the bride for his son. It is also of relevance to note that in the marriage arrangement it was always the primary initiative of the grooms Father to begin the process. In other words the choice was never that of the bride but that of the Grooms Father. Which brings to mind John 15:16 “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you……”
The second step in the Jewish marriage was the payment of a bridal price to the bride’s family. In the Jewish tradition this was called the Mohar. This payment was a requirement of the law and was commonplace in Jewish marriages. The price of the Mohar was indicative of the great value that the Father placed on the bride the he had chosen for his son. The greater the bridal price the more special the bride. Has there ever been a greater price paid than that of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ? The beautiful symmetry of Jewish tradition and the union of the bridegroom and his bride begin to take place as the Mohar is paid, I hope that the picture is starting to formulate in your mind.
The third step in this process was the marriage contract, referred to as the Ketubah. This written contract included the price of the Mohar, the rights of the bride and the promises of the groom. The items in this document served as a covenant agreement and were binding to all parties. The promises of the groom were to be kept and expected role of the bride was clearly outlined. This document would remain in effect throughout the union of the couple. Without spending much time on the subject of the bill of divorcement, let me remind the reader that the Jewish law did not recognize a bill of divorcement issued by a court, it only adhered to one instigated by the husband or groom of the bride. It is the husband who married and it is the husband who divorced. Therefore, a bride could not disannul her marriage or commitment to the husband. Effectively the husband paid the bridal price and therefore the bride belonged to him, the signed covenant insured the bride would benefit from the promises of the groom. In the New Testament we see the covenant or Ketubah that Christ has for his bride. The promises are assured and we are incapable of separating ourselves from the Bridegroom, we are his and we are assured of the covenant promises.
The fourth stage in the ancient Jewish marriage was that of the betrothal or Kiddushin. During this time the bride and groom are allowed to see one another but are not permitted to physically touch one another. The bridegroom travels back to his Fathers house and begins preparing a bridal chamber. In many instances the bridegroom would actually build an addition to his Fathers house, commonly called a huppa, he would then proceed to decorate and properly prepare the room for the bride. While the bridegroom was away preparing the bridal chamber the bride would sit in anticipation of the return of her bridegroom. This procedure could take as little as weeks or even as long as a year. Interestingly enough it was not the bridegroom who determined when the chamber was complete. The Father of the groom would determine the appropriate time for his son to return and claim his bride. This moment was highly anticipated on both parts and no doubt many a fair maiden waited and longed for the day that their husband would return to take them home. I imagine that there was times when the bride lamented became weary and doubted the return of her beloved. Fortunately for her however she had a copy of the covenant to remind her of his promise to return. The Lord said in John 14:1-3--- “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” Is not the picture starting to become more and more clear?
The fifth stage of the ancient Jewish marriage was the Nissuin or what we would refer to as the nuptials. The Nissuin involved the announcement of the Father to his son that the time was ready for him to go get his bride. This time, I would like to remind you, was only known by the Father and it was determined by him alone. Another interesting note is that this taking of the bride occurred at night under the guise of darkness, so that it would be least expected and be of great joy and surprise to the bride. For this cause the bride would traditionally keep an oil filled lamp at her bedside in anticipation of leaving during the night. Another interesting element of this practice involved the announcement and arrival of the bridegroom, who was usually accompanied by a host of groomsmen. These men would would make their presence known by shouting “behold the bridegroom cometh,” which would often be proceeded by a loud trumpet blast. This would awake the bride and she would appear at her door or window wearing a veil, ready to be carried away. This causes me to recall Matthew 25:6 “And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.” Once the bridegroom had claimed his bride they would return to the wedding chamber were the actual nuptials would begin. “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18
The nuptials would take place with the bridegroom and bride elaborately dressed, and in the presence of the bridegrooms famly.“I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.” Isaiah 61:10. This gathering would be celebrated with a great feast, and the unity of this wedding would remain ever after according to the covenant. “And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.”
In closing, there is a great amount of learning to be gathered in the understanding of the ancient Jewish marriage tradition. However, there is even greater comfort in understanding the spiritual parallels of marriage and how it applies to the Lords Church. The New Covenant assures us that the marriage supper of the lamb will take place and that the Church will someday “behold the bridegroom” in all His glory and return home to live with him in holy union, forever and ever. Praise be the name of Jesus, for He is our King, our all and all!!!
Elder Brian Moore 12-18-06
