The Biblical Feasts in the Context of Marriage Behold the Bridegroom Comes!!! As believers in YHVH and His Son, Yeshua, everyone must observe the seven Biblical feasts and they werent just meant for the Jews! All gentiles who chose to grafted-in Israel are also expected to keep the festivals appointed by Abba Himself. In John 14, it was the evening where Yeshua called and gathered His emissari es. Yeshua had been warning His emissaries concerning His coming death, resurrection and ascension. As Yeshua foretold those future events, the disciples were all greatly bothered. In order to ease their fears and anxiety, Yeshua made the following comforting promise: Dont let yourselves be disturbed. Trust in Adonai and trust in me. In my Fathers house are many places to live. If there werent, I would have told you; because I am going there to prepare a place for you. Since I am going and preparing a place for you, I will return to take you with me; so that where I am, you may be also. People who read the Bible, often do not decipher the full interpretation of that particular promise. This is due to the fact that in His promise, Yeshua was making a comparison to draw a similarity from Jewish marriage customs in biblical times. Hmmm... Curious and interested to know this great analogy between Marriage and Jewish Festivals? I will help you to understand and see what I mean. Festival: The first feast is the Pesach (Passover). This Feast celebrates the deliverance of the Hebrew slaves from Egypt. Elohim personally chose these nation to be His people! Marriage Custom: This feats is similar to a Jewish Biblical custom where the bridegroom’s father usually chose a bride for his son, who would then give his consent. In Genesis 24, Abraham sent his servant to find a wife for his son Analogy: In this case, Elohim, Our Abba chose Israel as the bride for His Ben, Yeshua. (1 Chronicles 16:13) Festival: The second feast is the Hag Hamatzot (Unleavened Bread). It is the beginning point of a week period. And during this feast, no one is allowed to eat leavened bread or any food with yeast, as it is a symbol of sin. Marriage Custom: Once a bride was chosen, a bride price or mohar, had to be agreed upon by the parents of the bride and the groom. There would be a ceremony between two sets of parents for the date and other miscellaneous conditions about the forthcoming marriage of their children. They would make an agreement and no one should break the terms included in the agreement because it would be considered a violation of the law (sin/ transgression) and disgrace for the whole family. Analogy: Now, YHVH sent and gave His only begotten Son, Yeshua, to Israel. And when He was crucified, died and buried, the Bride Price was paid! (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) Festival: The third feast is the Yom Bikkurim (First Fruits). It is one of the Harvest Festival and as the day of bringing the firstfruits of the winter harvest to the Temple in Jerusalem. Marriage Custom: After the negotiation of grooms parents and paying of the bride price, there would be a a ritual immersion or mikvah. It was common for the bride and groom to separately take a mikvah before entering into the formal betrothal period, and was symbolic of spiritual cleansing. Analogy: And when Yeshua rose from the dead, He just not became the first fruit ( 1 Corinthians 15:20-23) but Israel has been cleansed, sanctified and became a set apart people exclusively for Him. ( 1 Corinthians 1:30) Festival: The fourth feast is called Shavuot (Feast of Weeks/ Pentecost). After the counting of Omer. (The counting of the days and weeks from the day of Unleavened Bread up to the day of Shavuot), Elohim finally gave His Torah and Israel wholeheartedly accept YHWHs Torah which made them the ONLY nation committed to serving Elohim. Marriage Custom: Then next to the ritual immersion is the betrothal. The couples would appear together under a canopy or huppah and in public they would express their intention of becoming engaged by signing in Ketubah. This means they are both agreeing to fulfill all their obligations within the marriage. After that, their betrothal is thereby established and from that moment on the bride was declared to be set apart and exclusively for her bridegroom. Analogy: When the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) came on the talmidim of Yeshua in the Temple. It represents the beginning of the body of Messiah on Earth, which make all believers, redeemed through the blood of Messiah, are lifted up before Adonai. (Acts 2) This is also the point in which the ketubah (which is the Torah) between Adonai and His people was given. YHVH and Israel finally entered into a covenant and their ketubah (Torah) is written on each believers heart. The bride (Israel) is now with the groom (Yeshua). (Ephesians 2:11-22) Festival: The fifth is the Yom Teruah (Feast of Trumpets). During this Feast, shofars are being blown as a signal or call to gather the people of Adonai and warning them to repent during the coming days of awe Marriage Custom: As you can see theres a three month gap before YHVH commanded His people to celebrate another festival again. This makes this festival similar to the Jewish Final Wedding Ceremony. After the bethrotal, the groom was obliged to leave the home and would remain separate from his bride for a period of twelve months. This period of separation is necessary in order for the man to find a job, build a house and prepare for married life. When the groom was already prepared and adequate to be a husband and at the same time, to be a father, he would come to take his bride to live with him. The groom, best man and other male escorts would leave the grooms fathers house, they would make a torch-lights and would do a procession to the home of the bride. Because the bride was unaware about the time of coming of his groom therefore the grooms arrival would be announced by a shout. This shout would alert the bride to be prepared for the coming of the awaited groom. Analogy: No one knows where will be the time of Yeshuas coming but Scriptures says that when we heard the sound of the trumpets or shofar, it sinals the call for repentance and the true believers in Messiah Yeshua will be gathered/resurrected (I Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1 Corinthian 15:50-54). Festival: The sixth is called Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). This is tha day on which Israelites are commanded to confess all their sins to YHVH and fast. Marriage Custom: Then next to the arrival of the groom would be the solemn entrance of the both in the bridal chamber, the bride who remained veiled and the groom would enter the rooms alone while the parents, groomsmen, bridesmaid and guests would wait outside. There in the privacy of that place they would enter into union for the first time. Analogy: This is the moment that YHVH will unveil Israels eyes and Isarel will finally acknowledge Yeshua as their Messiah for the very first time as they didnt recognize Him in His first coming. (Philipppians 2:10-11) Festival: The last is Sukkoth (Feast of Booths). It is celebrated five days after Yom Kippur. IThis festival commemorates the 40 years of nomadic Israel in the wilderness. Believers are commanded to build a sukkah, a small booth or temple and their family should dwell on it for one week. Marriage Custom: And finally, their would be a great feast and they would all make merry for the next seven days. And the couple could now live happily and peacefully on the comfort of their own home. Analogy: And last but not the least, there will be an ingathering of the Final Harvest of souls and Yeshua and Israel will dwell in the New Jerusalem. (Revelation 21)
Posted on: Tue, 15 Oct 2013 12:57:00 +0000
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