JEWISH MARRIAGE CUSTOMS: Part two

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THE BRIDE OF CHRIST

The first thing that we notice is that the Old Testament referred to [Israel] as the Bride of the [Lord]. The next thing that comes to mind is the fact that the New Testament frequently characterizes the [church] as the Bride of [Christ] [1]. However, many Jewish people did not understand this dynamic of their betrothal to Jesus Christ, because many did not believe Him to be the Messiah. They understood the marriage customs but not Christ being their husband [2]. It's hard for men to grasp this concept.

Once the groom found and chose a bride, he had to arrange a marriage between them. We will cover the coming of Christ, and end in His departure back to heaven as He prepares for His return. But first, the match.

The Match (Shiddukhin)

According to Jewish marriage customs, the fathers of the groom arranged most the marriages [3]. There were many avenues in which the Jewish people could use to negotiate and make their matches for marriage. The mother sometimes had a hand in choosing a bride [4] but the father could act alone [5]. However, more times than not, an interested man would just ask his father to seek out a particular woman for her hand in marriage [6]. (The choosing of the bride by the groom did not happen much.) If there were an interest all the way around, negotiations would start.

Friends from either party, or a matchmaker could also negotiate a match [7]. These matchmakers had to be of strong character, high integrity, and had to be highly trusted. It was not necessary for the bride to give her consent, but most generally, they asked her [8].

Parallels to the Church. . .

Jesus chose us [9] but did not act on His own initiative [10]. The Holy Spirit is the matchmaker today and the agent of the Father who negotiates for the bride of Christ [11]. It is the Holy Spirit that draws all men/women to Jesus Christ [12]. All who are born again are born through the power of the Holy Spirit [13]. Once that someone becomes a believer, that person becomes part of the Bride of Christ.

Fathers in the Old Testament did not discount the personal feelings of the bride or groom with regards to choice, neither is our feelings discounted when it comes to that same free will choice. Our Father in heaven gave us free will to choose with whom we will follow and serve [14]. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord [15].

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[1] Here are a few examples for study: Matthew 9:15; John 3:29; Romans 7:4; 1 Corinthians 6:15; Ephesians 5:23-33; Revelation 19:7-9; Revelation 21:2
[2] Galatians 3:28
[3] Genesis 34:3-6; 38:6; Jeremiah 29:6
[4] Genesis 21:21; 27:24
[5] Genesis 38:6
[6] Judges 14:1-10
[7] Genesis 24:2-4
[8] Genesis 24:5, 58
[9] John 15:16
[10] John 5:30
[11] 1 Corinthians 2:10; Galatians 4:6; 1 Peter 1:12; Romans 8:16
[12] John 6:44
[13] Luke 1:35
[14] Deuteronomy 30:19, 20
[15] Joshua 24:15; 1 Peter 1:8


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