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Websters: The Levites Home Family Academy
Messianic Wedding
If you want to have a Messianic Wedding, visit the Nile Beth Israel Messianic Congregation at
- 77 Ajjugo & Anna Country Drive, Borongole, Magwi County, EE State, South Sudan
Introduction to the concept of Messianic Wedding
ANCIENT HEBREW WEDDING CEREMONY is the same to that of ancient and traditional weddings among the Madi people and throughout the Ma'diland in the South Sudan. It is evidently clear that Madi people are part of Semitic group from ancient Ethiopia whose culture and traditions are intrinsically linked to the Hebrews of the Bible. This is the only community in my understanding in almost all of the Sudan performs weddings in the same way as the ancient Israelites or the Hebrews of the Bible. It involves the bridegroom paying a bride pride or dowry to the bride's family, and preparation of the Bridegroom coming to take his bride by the night time with a big celebration on the day he comes to take his bride for a wife. The only difference between ancient Hebrew wedding and Madi wedding is that, Hebrew wedding is purely done from Biblical perspective and it has its fulfillment in Yeshua. Whereas the Madi wedding has lost most of the spiritual details and biblical application, thus it has become corrupted and does not serve spiritual purpose tied to the scripture.
However, the pastoral leadership of the Beth Israel Messianic Congregation has been
established to correct this. We are here to purify these distorted marriage practices among our people and bring it back to its original Biblical roots, purpose and intend all pointing to Yeshua and his bride, the church.
Why is the ancient Hebrews wedding is the same as the Madi traditional weddings? This is not surprise for us who are of the Levites family descend. We are the Israelites (Hebrews) of the Sudan which is ancient Ethiopia. It is because we too have Hebraic roots. The way our people conducts traditional wedding in the same way as the Israelites shows that ours ancestors are the same as Israelites, and we are the descendant of Abraham. I strongly believe as historical, archeological, and comptemporary evidence show that our ancestors used to use the Bible and the Hebrew tradition to conduct wedding. But due to persecution and immigration, our ancestors where dispersed all over Africa and some of us ended up in the Sudan. This is a good thing, in God's providence that Israelites could be found in the South Sudan.
In a traditional ancient Hebrew marriage ceremony, the bridegroom went to the home of his potential Bride. He carried with him three things: his best financial offering, a betrothal contract, and a skin of wine. If the father was impressed and accepted the Bridegroom's offering he then called the daughter for her response. Then, if things were acceptable to her, the bride-to-be drank the wine, and immediately a trumpet sounded to announce the betrothal. During the following year of betrothal, the couple could not see each other alone.
A chaperone (or maju in Madi) always accompanied them wherever they went. During this year, the bridegroom went to his father's house to prepare a place (a Chupah), or honey-moon bed. No engraved invitations were sent out for the wedding. If people preparing the calendar wanted to reserve a day for the celebration, they had a problem. When the young bridegroom was asked for the date of his wedding, he could only reply, "No man knows except my father." Why? Because he could not go and get his bride until the father approved of his son's preparations.
The bride, therefore, had to be in a state of constant readiness lest the Bride Groom's arrival catches her by surprise. Often she kept a light burning in the window and an extra jar of oil on hand, lest the bridegroom come in the night and find her unprepared.
When the groom's father decided everything was in place and released his son to go fetch his bride, a second trumpet was blown. This trumpet, to announce the groom's coming, was called the 'last trump'. Thus announced, the bridegroom took the marriage contract to present to the father of his intended bride. He claimed her as his bride and took her from her father's house to his father's house. His father would be waiting to receive the couple. Wedding
As the probable time of the wedding approached, the bride and her sisters, cousins, and friends would wait together each evening in anticipation of the groom's arrival. It was customary for the groom to arrive suddenly, often late at night.13 The groom and his friends would carry the bride through the streets to her new home in a jubilant procession accompanied by music, torches, and well-wishers.14 At the wedding house, the bride and groom would each be dressed in white wedding garments, the color denoting purity.15 Then they would meet under the wedding canopy, which symbolized God's presence blessing their union.
There are no complete descriptions of weddings in the Bible, but traditional sources indicate such elements as the wrapping of the couple's hands in swaddling bands, sharing a goblet of wine symbolizing the sharing of their lives together, the reading of the ketubah or marriage contract, and the recitation of the Sheva Berachot or seven bridal blessings.16 Once the marriage was complete, a week-long feast of celebration began.17
Then the groom's father would take the hand of the bride and place it in the hand of his son. At that moment, she became his wife. That act was called the 'presentation.' After the presentation, the Bridegroom would bring his Bride to the place he had gone to prepare. There he would introduce her to all the society of his friends who had heard the trumpet and come to celebrate the marriage at the Marriage Feast.
This ceremony was part of the Jewish roots of ancient times. One must pause and digest the awesome correlation between this marriage ceremony and the Bride of Christ. I found this ancient ceremony uplifting and to me it is a foreshadowing of things to come. The following is my rendering of the above text. I pray it will bless you as you look with spiritual eyes into the full significance of our wedding yet to come.
Jesus was the hopeful bridegroom and his best offering was His sacrificial death at Calvary (1Corinthians 6:20). The contract was salvation (John 3:16). The wine that the bride drank was symbolic of 'regeneration' (John 3:3), or being born again. During the time of betrothal (we His bride-to-be) the couple was chaperoned. The Holy Spirit is our chaperone because Jesus promised not to leave us alone. He sent the Holy Spirit to act in his stead (John 14:16-17). The bridegroom went to his father's house to make ready his wife's new home. Jesus said that He would go to prepare a place for us (John 14:1-3). When the bridegroom was asked when the big day would be, he responded that no man knew the answer except his Father in Heaven (Matthew 24:36). The bride had to be in a state of constant readiness, so she would not be caught unaware (Mark13:32-37). Likewise, we must be ever watchful for His return. She kept a light burning and extra oil on hand (unlike the 5 foolish virgins of Matthew 25: 1-13). We must always be in readiness and walking in His Spirit, so we may be found faithful in His eyes. When the father decided all was in order, he released his Son to go and bring his Bride home. And so will it be when He comes for His Bride (the Church). Then the 'last trump' was sounded to announce his coming for his bride (1Corinthians 15: 50-53: 1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18). We as Christians await with bated breath, an expectant heart and an ear attuned to the Trump to sound! Then the Marriage Feast would be made (II Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:27). What a glorious day it will be when we sit around the table of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb!
Remember that Jesus was a Jew, and was acquainted with their customs. He taught in parables to protect the hidden mysteries of the Word from the unbelievers.
End
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A Hebrew wedding is a beautiful picture of the Bride being joined to her groom under the covering of a chupa. In a Messianic wedding, this picture represents
the covering that is ours under the "shadow of His wings."
. Parents are seated
2. Shema
3. Bridal Party Processional
5. Blessing for the Bridegroom & Bride
________________________________________
READ: Ephesians 5:19-31 [As chupa, groom, and wedding party enter.]
We stand tonight, under a chupa., a reminder of the covering that HaShem has over us. Solomon writes, "His banner over us is love." Tonight, that love is displayed in its fullest glory. The chupa is a representation of a tallit, a 4-cornered prayer shawl. Upon each of the corners, are found tzitzi, fringes that the Bible tells us are to remind us of G-d's commandments. The Rabbis teach us that HaShem, Himself wears a tallit; we are the fringes which remind Him of His covenant with us.
AS BRIDE ENTERS:
Baruch haba b'Shem Adonai...Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the L-rd.
Baruch haba'ah b'Shem Adonai...Blessed is she who comes in the Name of the L-rd.
READ: Ezekiel 16:8-14; Song of Songs 4:7-16; Proverbs 5:18-19, 21
Seven Walking around the Bridegroom
Rabbi/Pastor - "The scripture says in Jeremiah 31:22 'For the L-RD has created a new thing in the earth, a woman shall surround a man.' "
b. Bride comes and begins to walk around the groom.
c. Rabbi - "Blessed is she who has come. May the Holy One, He who understands the love of a bride, may He bless the groom and the bride. As the bride walks around the groom seven times, she symbolizes the seven matriarchs of our faith: Eve, Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Tamar, Ruth, and Esther. They remind us that the road to redemption is a long and hard one. Yet, wonderfully beautiful and fulfilling. This walk also makes a circle like a crown around the groom, demonstrating that he is a king to her and she is his queen. Lastly, the walk testifies of her role to him as a hedge of protection around him from the allure of all others. He can only see her from now on."
1st KIDDUSH:
With a cup for each Bride, Groom and Rabbi, the Rabbi pronounces Kiddush.
Baruch ata Adonai, Elohaynu Melech ha'olam
Boray pree ha'gafen.
Blessed are You, O L-rd our G-d,King of the Universe,
Who creates the fruit of the vine.
>>MUSIC
Hodu l'Adonai ki tov. Give thanks to the L-rd for He is good.
Ki lay olam kasdoh. For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Hodu l'Adonai ki tov; ki lay olam kasdoh.
Hodu l'Adonai ki tov; ki lay olam kasdoh.
CHARGE TO THE CONGREGATION:
We are gathered today, in the sight of our Ever-present Father in heaven to witness these sacred vows being confirmed. For tonight, Bride and Groom stand before this great cloud of witnesses; those here gathered, and the hosts of heaven, as they commit themselves to that which HaShem has called them to be together. Not according to their former selves, according to their former ways, but as new creations, who have set their mind, their souls and their bodies to loving and serving Adonai S'vaot /The L-rd of Hosts.
You have been invited, not just to be spectators, but to be witnesses. That word, witness, occurs some 227 times in the B'rit Hadashah (The Re-Newed Testament). Every time it appears, it is used as a verb, an action verb. Being a witness requires more than just seeing something occur, it means testifying to what you saw, heard, or otherwise experienced. Without the telling, you are a mere spectator.
However, you are called to be a witness...of this holy assembly, and of the magnificent work that the Living Creator of the world has done, and has been in your life. Yes, just saying in your heart that Jesus is L-rd is enough to confirm your place in Eternity, but it is not enough to give unto the Giver of Life that which He requires. The Messiah said: "You are to be My witnesses..." We have received the promise of the Ruach HaKodesh, the Holy Spirit, not so we can speak in unknown tongues, but so that we may be those witnesses
Yet, our lives are full of day-to-day routines that have no time for the important things. We live our lives as Martha, busy here, busy there; yet her sister chose the better thing, to sit at the feet of the Master, and to be about our Father's business.
That is the place that Groom and Bride have chosen. They stand here today, committing to one another, not just to have and to hold each other. Nevertheless, they stand before G-d today to dedicate themselves to the service of one another as unto the L-rd. And to that, you are to be a witness. You are to testify that you have taken a position in their lives and in the work to which they are committed. To be about the same work that they are committed to, for that is your reasonable service unto the L-rd.
You are called to be a witness, in Jerusalem, in Judea, in Samaria, in
>>MUSIC
TO CONGREGATION: Baruch haba b'Shem Adonai...Blessed are you who come in the Name of the L-rd.
TO GROOM: Chatan baruch hu...Blessed be the groom.
TO BRIDE: Calah barucha v'natan...Blessed and lovely is the bride.
Mi adir ahl hacole...May He who is supremely praised;
Mi baruch ahl hacole...May He who is supremely blessed;
Eevorech chatan v'calah...May He bless the bride and groom.
CHARGE TO THE GROOM:
G-d has called you to be a servant of His Word. As a servant, you must always seek to hear Him speak to you regarding that which He would have you say and do. But,
Delight yourself in your wife, as Yeshua delights Himself in the goodness and the responsiveness of His Bride. As you do these things, surely goodness and mercy shall follow you all the days of your life, and you shall dwell in the presence of HaShem forever.
PRAYER FOR THE GROOM:
Blessed be the Name of the G-d of Abraham, the G-d of Isaac, and the G-d of Jacob. We come before you, O Most High, to beseech Your blessing upon your servant,
CHARGE TO THE BRIDE:
Dear
READ: Proverbs 31:10-31
PRAYER FOR THE BRIDE:
Blessed be the G-d of Sarah, the G-d of Rebecca, the G-d of Rachael. We come before You, O L-rd, to ask your blessing upon your servant,
VOWS:
Do you promise all of us assembled to always love, honor and respect her, placing her needs above your own, and giving yourself to her always, as Messiah did for His Bride, His Body? [Pause for response]
Do you pledge to encourage her to serve our Messiah and to perform her duties unto Him so that you might both continue in the blessings of G-d's good will? [Pause for response]
Do you attest that through prayer and through the Word of G-d, that you know G-d's will for your life; that the G-d of Israel, the G-d of all the Nations, blessed be He, has moved you to desire this woman of beauty and of valor above all others, and that you will, forever, keep only to her? [Pause for response]
Do you promise her, this great cloud of witnesses and G-d Himself to always honor and uphold her, devote yourself to her welfare and growth, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, for better or for worse, to encourage her in her walk with G-d, knowing that by her service to Him, He will have her submit to you as unto Himself until His glorious return or until death do you part? [Pause for response]
Do you promise all of us assembled to always love, honor and respect him, placing his needs above your own, and giving yourself to him always, as Messiah did for His Bride, His Body? [Pause for response]
Do you pledge to encourage him to serve our Messiah and to perform his duties unto Him so that you might both continue in the blessings of G-d's good will? [Pause for response]
Do you attest that through prayer and through the Word of G-d, that you know G-d's will for your life; that the G-d of Israel, the G-d of all the Nations, blessed be He, has moved you to desire this man of valor and of courage above all others, and that you will, forever, keep only to him? [Pause for response]
Do you promise him, this great cloud of witnesses and G-d Himself to always honor and uphold him, devote yourself to his welfare and growth, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, for better or for worse, to encourage him in his walk with G-d, knowing that by his service to Him, He will have him serve you as unto Himself until His glorious return or until death do you part? [Pause for response]
[Groom enwraps Bride in his Tallit]
Groom has spread the covering of the wings of his tallit over his bride as a sign of his covering over her before G-d and before men.
THE SEVEN BLESSINGS:
1. Blessed art Thou, O L-rd our G-d, King of all Eternity, Who creates the fruit of the vine.
2. Blessed art Thou, O L-rd our G-d, King of all Eternity, Who has created all things for Thy pleasure.
3. Blessed art Thou, O L-rd our G-d, King of all Eternity, Creator of man.
4. Blessed art Thou, O L-rd our G-d, King of all Eternity, Who has fashioned man in Thine own image, after Thine own likeness, and has established through him an enduring edifice of life. Blessed art Thou, O L-rd our G-d, King of all Eternity, Creator of man.
5. May Zion who has been made barren of her children soon rejoice as her children return joyfully unto her. Blessed art Thou, O L-rd our G-d, King of all Eternity, Who causes Zion to rejoice at the return of her children.
6. Bestow abundant joy to the beloved companions as You bestowed joy upon the first couple in the Garden of Eden.
7. Blessed art Thou, O L-rd our G-d, King of all Eternity, Who created joy and gladness, bridegroom and bride, mirth and exultation, pleasure and delight, love, fellowship, peace, and friendship. Soon may there be heard in the streets of Jerusalem, the voices of joy and gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the jubilant voices of bridegrooms from their chupas and of youths from their feasts of song as the Messiah, Who is the Bridegroom to all who believe, is found within the heart of Kol Israel (All of Israel) and Kol HaGoyim (All the Nations). Blessed art Thou, O L-rd our G-d, King of all Eternity, Who makes the bridegroom rejoice with the bride.
AMEN
AARONIC BENEDICTION pronounced over couple and congregation. Please stand silently.
The L-rd bless you and keep you;
The L-rd make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you;
The L-rd lift up His countenance upon you and create for you His peace.
Y'varekh'kha Adonai v'yeeshm'rekha;
Ya'ayr Adonai panav aylecha veekhoonekha;
Yeesa' Adonai panav aylekha v'yasym l'kha shalom.
2ND KIDDUSH:
With only one cup for Groom & then Bride, the Groom pronounces this Kiddush.
Baruch ata Adonai, Elohaynu Melech ha'olam
Boray pree ha'gafen.
Blessed are You, O L-rd our G-d,King of the Universe,
Who creates the fruit of the vine.
THE PRONOUNCEMENT:
By the authority of HaAv (The Father), v'Ben (The Son), v'Ruach HaKodesh (The Holy Spirit), and by the State of
THE BIG KISS:
Bride wraps cup in cloth and sets at groom's left foot. Groom stomps hard. [The crowd cheers Mazel Tov!]
THE PRESENTATION:
Friends, family, Brothers and Sisters in Messiah, I present to you Mr. & Mrs.