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A Wedding Is.... A symbol of a new beginning A public declaration of a couple’s intentions A couple’s solemn promise or vow to each other A celebration of the couple’s love A binding contract between two people

As the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee. Isaiah 62:5

Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name. Deuteronomy 10:20

I looked you over. I saw you were ready for love, so I spread my clothes over you and covered you. I promised to marry you. I made the covenant with you, and you became mine. Ezekial 16:8 (ERV)

And I will betroth thee unto me forever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in loving kindness, and in mercies. Hosea 2:19 John 14: If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. Jeremiah 31:3 Yea, I have loved thee with an everlastinglove: therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee. Ezekial 16:8 (ERV) I looked you over. I saw you were ready for love, so I spread my clothes over you and covered your nakedness. I promised to marry you. I made the covenant with you, and you became mine.’” Deuteronomy 10:20: Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name.

...the Lord God caused Adam to fall into a deep sleep. While the man was sleeping, the Lord God took out one of his ribs. He closed up the opening that was in his side. Genesis 2:21

John 2 1 On the third day, there was a wedding in the town of Cana in Galilee, and Jesus’ mother was there. 2 Jesus and his followers were also invited. 3 At the wedding there was not enough wine, so Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” 4 Jesus answered, “Woman, why are you telling me this? It is not yet time for me to begin my work.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do what he tells you.”

Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you shall find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11: 28-30

6 There were six large stone waterpots there that were used by the Jews in their washing ceremonies. Each one held about 20 or 30 gallons. 7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the waterpots with water.” So they filled them to the top.

Some Pharisees and some teachers of the law came from Jerusalem to see Jesus. They asked, 2 “Why don’t your disciples obey what the elders teach? Your disciples don’t wash their hands before they eat!” Matthew 15: 1-2

These people honor me by what they say, but their hearts are far away from me. Their worship doesn’t mean anything to me. They teach nothing but human rules. Matthew 15: 8-9 Isaiah 29:13

Then he said to them, “Now dip out some water and take it to the man in charge of the feast.” So they did what he said. 9 Then the man in charge tasted it, but the water had become wine. He did not know where the wine had come from, but the servants who brought the water knew. He called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “People always serve the best wine first. Later, when the guests are drunk, they serve the cheaper wine. But you have saved the best wine until now.”

Jewish Betrothal /Wedding Customs Christian Parallels Bridegroom and father determine a bride price God and Jesus determine a bride price, Christ’s death on the cross Bride chooses to accept groom’s life by taking a sip from the betrothal cup Christian chooses to accept Christ’s life and the cup of salvation Bride and bridegroom perform a ritual bath to symbolize their commitment to live with one another Christian’s baptism symbolizes a decision to live with Christ.

2 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. 3 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. John 14: 2-3

This is because the Lord himself will come down from heaven with the signal of a shout by the head angel and a blast on God’s trumpet. 1 Thessalonians 4:16

Jewish Betrothal /Wedding Customs Christian Parallels Bridegroom and father go home to prepare a place for the bride to live. Jesus and His Father prepare a place for the bride to live in heaven. The wedding day arrives (as a surprise to the bride) and a friend rides ahead of the bridegroom announcing his arrival and blowing a horn. The second coming arrives, (we know not the hour) and Jesus Christ’s arrival is announced by an angel and the trumpet is blown. The wedding feast (usually 3 days) begins. It is a great celebration! Christ stayed in the tomb three days so that the eternal wedding feast could occur. It is a great celebration!

Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding party is prepared, but those who were invited weren’t worthy. 9 Therefore, go to the roads on the edge of town and invite everyone you find to the wedding party.’ 10 “Then those servants went to the roads and gathered everyone they found, both evil and good. The wedding party was full of guests. 11 Now when the king came in and saw the guests, he spotted a man who wasn’t wearing wedding clothes. 12 He said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ But he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to his servants, ‘Tie his hands and feet and throw him out into the farthest darkness. People there will be weeping and grinding their teeth.’

Jewish Betrothal /Wedding CustomsChristian Parallels Bridegroom gives bride gift of rings or other jewlrey often to adorn herself with on the wedding day. Christ gives his bride (US!) the gift of the holy spirit to adorn ourselves in preparation for the wedding day, or second coming. Bride prepares her garment, waiting for a period of time for the wedding. We prepare our hearts and accept the robe of righteousness that Christ gives us to wear at the wedding.

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