Mar 19, 2017
In ancient marital tradition, the two fathers, or groom if he was older, would sign a contract thereby marrying the man and woman. This included money (bride price) to the bride’s father demonstrating his provision abilities and dowry which is what the wife would bring to start their new life. Usually, a betrothal of a year allowed the husband to prepare a home and the wife prepare herself to run a home. If no betrothal was needed, a marriage ceremony took place where the husband would go get the wife and take her to the home he prepared for her. Before the party could begin, at the home there was consummation by sexual intercourse, marking the start of the couple’s life together. In first marriages, witnesses would wait outside the bridal room for the groom to present proof of virginity which celebrated the physical and relational purity of the spouses. After intercourse, the couple would start the celebration with all the invited guests, which could last up to seven days (Gen. 24:53-59, 67; 29:18-24; John 2:1, 2; 3:29; 14:1-3; Rev. 19:6-9)! Boaz took (Heb. law-kakh’, ‘to take/get/receive’) Ruth to his house, she became his wife, they had sex, and she became pregnant. Doing life God’s way, in God’s order, can lead to God’s blessing—with no regret!