In one of  the open forum bible studies, a  man explained  why he was reluctant on getting married. He said “Well it cost too much,  licensing fees, the church ceremony, the music, the invites, food and lets not talk about buying the ring”

With a big smile, I began to preach,  there are no direct examples in the bible of  any people of God who exchanged vows with rings.

So where did this tradition come from? In my research, it was the Egyptians, Greeks, Romans who believed that a vein in the third finger travels directly to the heart. The unending circle of the ring symbolized eternity, and the hope that love would last forever.

There are a few examples in Scripture that show of how a ring  signifies identity, a bond or union and authority.

Esther 8:2  And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Hamen, and gave it Mordecai, And Esther set Mordecai over the House of Haman.

Genesis 41:42 And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it on Joseph’s hand, arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck.

Esther 8:8  Write you also for the Jews, as it pleases you, in the king’s name, and seal it with the king’s ring: for the writing which is written in the king’s name and sealed with the king’s ring, may no reverse.

Luke 15:22  But the father said to his servants, bring forth the best robe, and put it on him, and put  a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.

Genesis 24:22 And it came to pass, as camels has done drinking, that the man took a golden ear-ring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold.

1 Tim 2-9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel with modesty and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold. or pearls, or a costly impressive arrangements.

1 Peter 3:3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of the plating of hair, and of the wearing of gold, or of putting on of costly apparel.

So how does God acknowledge a married couple or wedding ceremony?

In Genesis 2:23-25..Adam called her woman, (not wife interesting)vs.24 and God said,  man shall cleave to his wife and they shall be one. vs. 25 and they both were naked and the man and his wife were not ashamed. Clearly the Lord considers you married if He joins you together. It is a vow of a way of life before Him.

Examples of bride prices…

Genesis 29: 20-22  a family member Jacob served 7 years for Rachel vs. 21 Jacob said give me my wife. Vs.22 and Laban gathered all the men together and made a feast. ( wedding ceremony) Ruth 4:10 Ruth have I purchased to be my wife.

2 Samuel 3:14 Deliver me my wife Mi-chal which I espoused to me for an hundred foreskins of the Philistines.

God considers married couples when they are legally married according to government regulations.

Rom 13:1-7  Let every soul submit yourselves to governing authorities. vs.7 Render therefore to all their dues; tribute to tribute, custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.

Military husbands : Duet  24:5 when a man takes a new wife, he shall not go to war nor any business for 1 year, so he may get to know his wife and keep her with cheer.

Is 61:10  As a bridegroom decks himself with fine ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with jewels.

God considers witnesses:

John 2:1-10 on the 3rd day there was a wedding in Cana and the mother of Jesus was already there. Now Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding.

With all these examples, I told this young man the most important of all……

Duet 23:21-23 and Ecc 5:4 When you vow a vow to the Lord, do not delay in keeping your word that comes from your lips,  perform it, for he has no pleasure in fools.

I pray that this message encourages  and inspires you to seek after the things of God by searching the Scriptures….all comments are welcomed.