JEWISH MARRIAGE CUSTOMS: Part Six

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GIFTS FOR THE BRIDE (Mattan)

The bridegroom gave gifts to the bride. However, the Mattan (love gifts) were not mandatory or prescribed by law. It was only customary and was a gesture to show the
love that the bridegroom had for the bride.

Parallels to the Church. . .

Jesus gave His bride the gifts (Mattan) of eternal life [1], peace [2], and anything else that she might ask Him for in His name [3]. Christ gave us so much more, too numerous to list.

THE FATHERS' DOWERY (Shiluhim)

The father of the bride also gave a dowry (Shiluhim) to the daughter to take with her into the marriage as a part of her inheritance to help equip her in her new life.

The idea behind the Shiluhim (dowry) was a settlement in lieu of the daughter's inheritance because Jewish customs dictated that the sons would succeed their fathers.

Parallels to the Church. . .

The Father’s dowry to us is the giving of the Holy Spirit, the gifts of the spirit, a pledge of the spirit in our hearts, a measure of faith, grace, five-fold ministry, and the ability to speak and minster through the manifold grace of God. The Father has given us so much more as well.

We can find and study the dowry gifts (Shiluhim) in some of the following scriptures: John 14:16, 17; 1 Corinthians 12-14; 2 Corinthians 1:21, 22; Romans 12:1-8; Ephesians 4:1-16; 1 Peter 4:8-11.

I highly recommend that all believers take a spiritual gift class, no matter how old we are in the Lord. It might even be interesting to take the test periodically to see how the Lord is working in our lives and in what direction He is leading us. I would guess that there are many "on fire" Christians out there who have become unmotivated because they are not serving in an area of gifting or passion. Plus:

v29 . . .the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable [4].

v21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;
v22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts [5].

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[1] John 10:27, 28
[2] John 14:27
[3] John 14:13
[4] Romans 11:29
[5] 2 Corinthians 1:21, 22

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