The Jewish marriage ceremony had two parts that began with the betrothal. Two Hebrew words were used to describe this part but the one that will be our focus is the word Kidushin. It means holiness or set apart. Marriage is considered holy because God is a part of that relationship.
This period could last up to a year before the wedding and covenant. Old Testament covenants were often sealed in blood and binding. They were not intended to be broken so that once a couple entered into a covenant at the betrothal, they were legally married in every respect except the physical consummation. During the betrothal ceremony, the marriage contract was presented to the father of the bride that contained the bride price and other agreements that the bridegroom promised to prepare for his bride. There is great care given for her because in that day, women had no rights and therefore, no guarantee of any physical provisions or protection. The marriage contract was a document called the ketubah that gave a woman a new status in life because she was given these guarantees of life’s necessities and protection.
God has given this marriage imagery to depict the relationship with Him. In Jeremiah 31:31-34, the new covenant that God will make with his people is given. It reads, “The days are coming,” declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them, declares the LORD. This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time, declares the LORD. I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the LORD,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more” (NIV). Gentiles were to be included in this covenant built on better promises (cf. Heb. 8:6). The Hebrew word for “know” is the same word used to describe sexual intimacy in the Hebrew Scriptures. Of course, God isn’t interested in the sexual part, but He does desire an intimate relationship. This includes entering into a covenant relationship wherein His bride is valued, protected, and given all provisions necessary for life (eternal life).
This choice is not forced upon the woman. The offer is available, but the bride to be must agree and enter into this covenant to have these promises and guarantees.