Dr. Cecil A. Fayard
Marriage/Family Sermon Series  

INTRODUCTION: A wedding ceremony not directly related to the Lord Jesus Christ loses its significance. Wedding traditions grow out of God's covenant relationship with Israel and Christ's relationship with the church.

We gain many insights about wedding traditions when we study the Jewish wedding ceremonies during the day of Christ on earth.

1. GOD USES THE JEWISH WEDDING TO ILLUSTRATE REDEMPTION AND CHRIST'S RELATIONSHIP TO THE CHURCH.
   1. Bridegroom travels to house of the bride.
      
      1. The Jewish wedding. The prospective bridegroom took the initiative and traveled from his father's house to the home of the bride.
         
      2. Relationship to salvation.
         
         1. Christ left His Father's house and came to earth to gain a bride for Himself.
            
         2. Ephesians 5:25-28.

   2. A price had to be paid to obtain a bride.
      1. The Jewish wedding -- the father of the woman negotiated with the prospective bridegroom the price that must be paid to secure his bride.
         
      2. Relationship to salvation.
         
         1. Christ had to pay the price of blood.
            
         2. I Corinthians 6:19-20.

   3. Establishment of the wedding covenant.
      
      1. The Jewish wedding - When the bridegroom paid the purchase price, the marriage covenant was established. At that point, the man and woman were regarded as husband and wife, even though no physical union had taken place (Example: Joseph and Mary).
         
      2. Relationship to salvation.
         
         1. The believer has been declared to be sanctified or set apart exclusively for Christ.
            
         2. Ephesians 5:25-27; II Corinthians 11:2.
            
   
   
2. THE TRUE MEANINGS OF WEDDING TRADITIONS.
   1. Why do the ushers seat the family of the bride and groom on opposite sides of the auditorium?
      
      1. The seating of the family and friends of the bride and groom on opposite sides of the auditorium provides a covenant setting.
         
      2. Marriage is established by God as a covenant, not a contract (Malachi 2:14; Proverbs 2:16-17).
         
      3. The Hebrew word for covenant means "a compact made by passing between two pieces of flesh."
         
      4. When God brought the Israelites out of Egyptian slavery, He established a covenant with them. The covenant was established by having the people pass between the pieces of a calf. Seating families and friends on each side of the auditorium symbolizes the sacrifices which they have made in order for the bride and groom to enter into this covenant.

3. What is the significance of a white runner in the aisle?
   
   1. It is a symbol of walking on holy ground. A covenant is made between two people, their witnesses and God.
      
   2. God is actively involved in the agreement, since it is God that joins them together (Matthew 19:6).
      
   3. When Moses was in the presence of God, he was told to respect that presence (Exodus 3:5).