Monthly Archives: December 2022

SEEING JESUS IN THE FEASTS OF ISRAEL – LESSON 1 Cont

Christian Life, ,

2. HEBREW COURTSHIP AND MARRIAGE

Step 1 – The Choice – lachah

The first step for the prospective bridegroom was to choose his bride-to-be and to declare that he had chosen her. The word he used to alert her that he had chosen her was lachah – “I want to make you mine.”

Before God delivered Israel from Egypt He spoke to the Israelites through Moses, informing them that He had chosen them to be His own people – wedding talk!

“I will take you as my own people and I will be your God.” Exodus 6:7

Step 2 – The Declaration of Intent – segulah

The next step was the declaration of intent which followed a period of courtship. 

When the Israelites reached Mount Sinai, God declared His intention to marry them in the words used by every Hebrew man who was courting a young woman – segula – “I want to make you my treasured possession.”

God courted them during their sojourn in the desert. He was with them, He covered them, provided for them, led them and showed them His love in every way possible. Now He indicated His desire to marry them.

“Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all the nations you will be my treasured possession.” Exodus 19:6

Step 3 – The Preparation – mikvah

The third step was to prepare for the betrothal. This took place in two parts: mikvah – washing; ketubah – the marriage covenant.

Two days before the betrothal, the bride-to-be was required go through the ceremony of ritual purification by washing – mikvah – in preparation for the setting up of the marriage covenant and the proposal which would take place on the third day.

“And the Lord said to Moses, ‘Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes and have them ready by the third day, because on that day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.’” Exodus 19:10.

Step 4 – The Marriage Covenant – ketubah

What is a ketubah? “A Jewish legal marriage document with a legacy spanning two thousand years. It is typically signed before the wedding ceremony by the couple and at least two witnesses.

(http://www.interfaithfamily.com/life_cycle/weddings/The_Jewish_Marriage_Contract_(Ketubah).shtml)

“The content of the ketubah is in essence a one-way contract that formalizes the various requirements by Halakha (Jewish law) of a Jewish husband vis à vis his wife. The Jewish husband takes upon himself in the ketubah the obligation that he will provide to his wife three major things: clothing, food and conjugal relations, and also that he will pay her a pre-specified amount of cash in the case of a divorce. Thus the content of the ketubah essentially dictates security and protection for the woman, and her rights in the marriage.”

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ketubah)

God’s ketubah was recorded on two tablets of stone and written by the finger of God. It provided the boundaries within which the marriage relationship would be carried out, which we call the Ten Commandments. The Hebrew meaning is “Ten Words” which is a technical term for covenant stipulations. The rest of the Law found in Leviticus is a fleshing out of these ten words. 

After the signing of the ketubah, the bridegroom would formally propose to his bride and she would reply in these words, “When will you come for me?” He would respond, “I go to prepare a place for you and when my father approves of the bridal chamber, I will come again and receive you to myself that where I am, you may be also.” Does this sound familiar?

Betrothal

This was followed by the betrothal period. Both bride and groom had preparations to make for the wedding. The bride was to prepare herself by separating herself from all other men to belong exclusively to her husband and by preparing her wedding gown (her righteous deeds). The bridegroom was to prepare the bridal chamber for the consummation of their marriage.

Once the ketubah was signed, betrothal was as legally binding as marriage itself.  Hence Joseph decided to “divorce” Mary for her apparent unfaithfulness although they were not yet married.

Step 5 – The Consummation

When the bridal chamber was complete and met with his father’s approval, the bridegroom would return to claim his bride and take her back to his home where the wedding ceremony would take place.

The wedding ceremony would be conducted under a canopy called the chuppah. After the ceremony was over, the bride and groom would be escorted to the bridal chamber. The bridegroom would pick up (rapture) his bride and carry her over the threshold of the bridal chamber where they would consummate their marriage under a canopy which was a talith – prayer shawl – mounted on poles over the bed, symbolising the presence of God.

“Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the Lord descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, and the whole mountain trembled violently, and the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder. Then Moses spoke and the voice of the Lord answered him…And God spoke all these words…” Exodus 19:18, 19; 20:1.

SEEING JESUS IN THE FEASTS OF ISRAEL – LESSON 1

Christian Life, ,

Today we begin a new series entitled “Seeing Jesus in the Feasts of Israel”

LESSON 1

INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

We must read the Bible with the Hebrew culture and language in mind. We cannot interpret it from our cultural and language perspective – otherwise it will not make sense. Therefore, to understand the Jewish feasts, we must view the Bible as the story of God’s dealings with the church of the Old and New Covenants and see how the feasts cover the whole of human history and tell the story of Jesus’ wooing and winning of His bride.   

Why is it important for us as Christians to understand the meaning and significance of these feasts?

  1. THE BIBLE – A ROMANCE

There is more than one way to interpret the Bible; for example it is the story of two covenants; the story of a journey; or the story of salvation. One of the ways to interpret the Bible is to read it as a romance – God’s romance with His people. 

When did God fall in love with His people?

“When Israel was a child, I loved him…” Hosea 12:1a;

“On the day you were born your cord was not cut, nor were you washed with water to make you clean…you were thrown out into the open field, for on the day you were born, you were despised…” Ezekiel 16:4, 5.

“Then I passed by and saw you kicking about in your blood…I said to you, “Live!”…Later I passed by, and when I looked at you and saw you were old enough for love, I spread the corner of my garment over you and covered your nakedness. I gave you my solemn oath and entered into a covenant with you, declares the sovereign Lord, and you became mine.” Ezekiel 16:8. 

God loved Israel long before she ever became a nation. Because He loved her, He rescued her from slavery in Egypt and proposed to her at Mount Sinai. He followed the 5 steps every Hebrew man follows in the process of courtship and marriage.

To be continued…

DAY THIRTY – PSALM 23

Devotion, ,

DAY THIRTY

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures,

He leads me beside quiet waters,

He restores my soul.

He guides me in paths of righteousness

for His name’s sake.”

Psalm 23:1-3

COMMENT

What a lovely psalm to end our first thirty days of praise!  You are truly blessed if you can say with confidence, “The Lord IS my shepherd.”  I love the last part of this quote because it gives me confidence to know that the Lord will fix all the broken parts of me and He will show me how to live a righteous life.  Without righteousness you cannot come into God’s presence.  He has provided you with a robe of righteousness as a free gift in response to your faith.  He knows that you can never meet His standards of righteousness on your own, but Jesus met them for you.   He also promises to lead you in a way that pleases Him.

PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

Thank God today for His wonderful gift of righteousness.  Because He has done this for you, there is nothing to stop you from coming to Him at any time and anywhere.  What a blessing and privilege!

DAY TWENTY-NINE – PSALM 19

Devotion, ,

DAY TWENTY-NINE

“The fear of the Lord is pure,

enduring forever.

The ordinances of the Lord are sure

and altogether righteous.

They are more precious than gold,

than much pure gold;

they are sweeter than honey,

than honey from the comb.

By them is your servant warned;

in keeping them there is great reward.”

Psalm 19:9-11

COMMENT

Look at the last two lines of this psalm.  Sometimes you may not like being warned because you feel threatened.  But warnings are not meant to anger or frustrate you. They are meant to protect you from harm or danger.  God’s word is like a red robot at an intersection.  When you disregard the robot, you may end up having a serious accident.  When you obey traffic lights you are rewarded with a safe journey.

PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

Thank the Lord that He has given you His word to warn you against the dangers of sin.  If you don’t heed His warning, you may find yourself enslaved to bad behaviour that will take you to hell.

DAY TWENTY-EIGHT – PSALM 19

Devotion, ,

DAY TWENTY-EIGHT

“The law of the Lord is perfect,

reviving the soul.

The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,

making wise the simple.

The precepts of the Lord are right,

giving joy to the heart.”

Psalm 19:7,8

COMMENT

Have you ever stopped to think what a wonderful book the Bible really is?  David looked up at the marvels of the sky and declares that the heavens are continually speaking about God’s glory.  However, their speech is limited to talking about God’s greatness.  It’s in the Word of God that you read about His love, mercy and grace and you learn of His righteousness and holiness.  It’s through His word that you learn about what He has done for you and what He requires of you.  God’s word provides you with everything you need to live the kind of life that pleases Him (2 Peter 1:3-4).

PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

Praise the Lord today for giving you His wonderful word.  Have you ever thought what life would be like without a Bible?  All the things you know about God and all the experience you have through knowing Him would just not be there!  It’s unthinkable.