At Tuesday’s study we covered the parashat Noach (yes we’re running a little behind). An interest conversation came up about the betrothal and wedding process according to the Word.
First the groom comes and ask permission from the nearest male relatives of the bride. He brings a bridal price, and a ketubah (or an explanation of what he will bring) to the marriage, he also brings and example of his substance (i.e proof of his grain, fruit or other crops if he’s a farmer; proof of wool or linen if he raises cattle, etc). The male relatives review the ketubah and example the bridal price and his substance, if he’s found wanting then they send him away but the items that he’s brought he’s to leave with her family. This is a good example to men, you don’t want to leave a portion of your substance with a woman, you won’t be able to marry.
If the male relatives accept the items they drink a cup of (wine) as a sign of agreement then the bride is brought forth and she’s to review the items and ketubah. If she agrees she drinks the other half of the cup. At this time they are considered husband and wife.
The the groom leaves and he goes to prepare the place where they are to live and prepare the wedding preparations. She’s to take this time to prepare and be ready, at a moments notice for when the groom comes for her to take her to their wedding.
Matthew: 25:1 – 13
Before he can come and get his bride his father or nearest male relative, reviews the home and all the preparations that he has made. When his father tells him that he has done well, he goes along with his groomsmen (as these people will be apart of the bridal party) go and announce that the groom is coming. When the call goes up, the bride prepares herself and gets ready, and waits for him to arrive. Upon his arrival they go to the wedding immediately and then they go to consummate the wedding and the agreement they previously made at the ketubah. They celebrate their wedding for a seven day period. They are served the entire seven days and all of their needs are met (most of this has been pre-prepared by the groom). The example of the betrothal, See Matthew 1:18-25 & Luke 1:27-35.
So I’m sure that you are thinking about how this is related to Noach. Well the Ark is the place prepared for Noah and his family (along with the surviving animals) while the world suffers a great tribulation and mikvah. This place takes Noah and his sons 100 years to complete and properly prepare for. They were inside the Ark for an entire year as they had to wait for the waters to recede and the earth to dry completely.
Just like the bride, Noah and his family had a choice to be obedient to YHVH in first, hearing what he said and building then Ark, and then finally when the appointed time had come to enter into the Ark. The hardest part of the time is the time to prepare, alot of distractions can occur during this time. And like the 5 foolish virgins, there lack of preparation caused them to NOT enter in. If Noah and his sons had also been like the 5 foolish virgins, I would not be here typing this right now.