What is the meaning of the passage of the ten virgins (Part 12)?

[Leonardo Von]

What is the meaning of the passage of the ten virgins (Part 12)?

ISRAELITE MARRIAGE

After chosen the bride, whether it is by the parents or by the son, it started a period before the marriage which was similar to engage. This period was about 1 year. This period was to boy and girl know each other better and so that the boy could get the money for the dowry (mohar – Gen 34:12; Exodus 22:16; 1Sam 18:25), which was deliver to the father of the bride.

The father of the bride stipulated a value which the boy should pay in order to:

•    Prove that he was really interested in the bride;
•    Indemnify the parents in virtue of he was taking away from the family something very precious.
•    Show that he was sufficient responsible and able to afford a family.
    
Since then, the girl was espoused with the boy before the law, but he couldn’t have sexual intercourse with her.

After one year, it came the ceremony of marriage. Usually it was chosen the Autumn, which was the season for crops and fit for feasts.

One day before, the bridegroom come out of his house in procession with his friends in order to take his bride from the house of his father-in-law. During this, the bride farewell of her father, who blessed her and gave her a box with some coins as a special gift for her marriage. 

Bride and bridegroom were specially ornated.

The procession of the bride was guided by his friend. His friend was someone who stay close to the bridegroom all the time and partook of his joy. 

The cortege of the bridegroom arrived at the beginning of the night around the house of the father of the bride. As preparation, a group of young virgins (friends of the bridegroom who really love him – Song 1:3) should go to receive the bridegroom at the door of the city (or village) and enlighten his way toward the house of the bride’s father.

The bride had with her a cortege prepared to follow the cortege of the bridegroom. And the illuminating virgins should go with her after leading the bridegroom to his bride.

When the two corteges got together, the bride went in a litter or mounted on an ornated animal pulled by the bridegroom and his friend. The remain of the guests go on foot singing until the place of the feast with the virgins ahead enlightening the way.

When the two corteges reached the house of the bridegroom their parents pronounced a blessing to the couple, which was accompanied by gifts which expressed votes of relish.

So, the feast started, which endure several days. The bridegroom was with the guests, while the bride go to one of the bedrooms with her maids, which was prepared specially for her. There would happen the consummation of the marriage.

So, have a good day.

Tomorrow we will carry on.