The Bride of Choice
The bride of choice.
Called shiddukhin, or the match, a pre-arranged agreement, it is the first step of the Jewish/Hebrew betrothal custom.
According to this tradition, when a son came of age to marry, the father, or sometimes the father and mother, chose a bride for their son from their own clan.
Now and again, the father would send a trusted servant, known as the agent of the father, as a type of best man, to search for the prospective bride, though the final choice belonged to the father.
On rare occasions, the son searched for a wife. Rarer still, the parents consulted with their children to see if their choice met with the children’s approval.
In keeping with this tradition, Hebrew fathers thought it their duty to provide a bride for their sons in imitation of God, as Father, who provided a wife for Adam.
The bride of choice.
As the bride became part of the husband’s family, it was essential to choose a maiden who would fit into the family unit and work well with her future mother-in-law and sisters-in-law.
In this period of history, the father ruled as the head of the household and held a religious significance: he was God’s representative, responsible for the religious life of his family and the maintenance of the family altar. He also held the duty of protecting his household.
As God’s representative, the father acted as the priest of his household in order to carry out God’s purposes. Those within the family accepted the father’s actions on their behalf as though done for them by God Himself.
A female first came under the authority of her father as the head of the clan and then under the authority of her brothers. When she married, she then came under the headship of her husband and his father.
However, the prospective bride had to agree to the shiddukhin.
After the agreement, betrothed bride and groom were considered one entity, in relationship only. The same truth exists when believers accept Christ’s proposal, for they become a part “of His body, of His flesh and of His bones” (Eph. 5:30 NKJV), as a divine oneness in relationship.
As Paul said, “This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.” (Eph. 5:32 NKJV) The mystery, the secret? “And this is the secret: Christ lives in you.” (Col. 1:27b NLT)
The Bride of choice.
Just as the father in this betrothal tradition arranged the marriage for his son, God the Father arranged the marriage between His Son and the church as the Bride. This Bride also comes of her own free will, accepting the Bridegroom’s proposal and choosing to be betrothed to Christ - or not.
If you have become a part of God’s family, you, whether you be male or female, are the Bride of choice betrothed to God’s Son. Jesus explained this in the Parable of the Wedding Feast, “The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son.” (Matt. 22:2 NKJV)
The son represents Jesus and the king represents the Father, who created this holy, kingdom relationship for His Son to have with His people.
And “He made us accepted in the Beloved.” (Eph. 1:6b NKJV) We were...
Pursued with grace.
Revered with blessings.
Encompassed with favor.
Endued with special honor.
Beloved. Cherished. To die for.
That is you, my sweet friend. Chosen, for “the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure...because the Lord loves you.” (Deut. 7:6b, 8a NKJV)
Jesus said, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you.” (John 15:16a NKJV)
You are the Bride of choice. The one valued more highly than you realize and loved more than you will ever know.
Questions to ponder: The Bridegroom is coming soon for His Bride. Do you know the Father has chosen you? Do you know you are betrothed to the Bridegroom? Are you preparing yourself for your Bridegroom?
May you always know you were chosen with great love...Lynn
If you or someone you know would like to subscribe, please click here. And thank you!
​
​
10909 Cowgill Place, Louisville KY 40243
​Unsubscribe · Preferences​
​