Do you remember the phrase which is often traditionally used in marriage ceremonies, just before the time when a father walks his daughter down the aisle and to the groom at the altar?<\/p>\n
“Who gives this woman to be wed?”<\/p>\n
This tradition is one of those with a truly Biblical history; it traces directly to Numbers 30 (a favorite chapter of mine ![\";)\"](\"http:\/\/www.biblicalfamilies.org\/forum2\/images\/smilies\/icon_e_wink.gif\" "\\"Wink\\""){kind=icon}
) and the explicit authority of a man over the vows of his wives and daughters. Since a man may void, or annul, the vows of his daughter while she is under his authority, it makes sense that that transfer of such authority would be explicitly observed.<\/p>\n
This tradition shows that a father is giving his God-given authority over his daughter to her new husband.<\/p>\n
Now I ask the question:<\/p>\n
What is a certificate of divorce<\/em>, as outlined by YHVH in Deuteronomy 24:1 and 3 as an explicit part of the proper and complete process for lawfully sending a wife out of his house?<\/p>\n Is it not yet another explicit transfer of authority? A woman who has been lawfully and completely “put away” is now responsible for HER OWN vows, and has no husband in headship over her. With such a certificate, as a believer, she is eligible for remarriage; without it, she is not – and is guilty of adultery for joining with any other man while her husband yet lives.*<\/p>\n Likewise, if that husband puts her away unlawfully, then HE, as her covering, is guilty of adultery for what he has done to her (as Matthew 5:32, properly translated, makes clear).<\/p>\n “Who gives this woman to be wed?”<\/p>\n If she was ever married, her certificate of divorce is lawful proof that her former husband does!<\/p>\n ——————————<\/p>\n *\u00a0 Note one other important thing, as both Numbers 30:15, Matthew 5:32, and many others make clear.\u00a0 If a husband puts away<\/em> his wife treacherously, then HE bears her guilt.\u00a0 He “causes her<\/strong><\/span><\/em>” to commit adultery!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Marriage is not only a Covenant, it is about headship, and proper authority before the Father in accord with His Word. Continue reading