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Why have a wedding with a license, minister, and guests? Why not just say—let’s move in together and start doing life? Isn’t a wedding ceremony a waste…of time…of money?

My purpose in this week’s devos is to show why living together before marriage is not a part of God’s design. I pray that you will use this information to make godly decisions and give godly counsel.

Let’s return to the premier passage on God’s design of marriage.

Genesis 2:24
Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

A man and woman leaving their father and mother describe the friendship part of the Biblical Love Package we have been considering over the past three days. The word “hold fast to” describes the commitment we have discussed, and, of course, becoming “one flesh” describes the physical act. The three parts of the Biblical Love Package were observed (and are observed today) in the engagement and wedding ceremony.

In the Jewish community, a couple first became engaged. This was called the kiddushin. The engagement was so binding that breaking it off constituted divorce. Following the kiddushin was the huppah—the actual wedding celebration. The groom, accompanied by his friends with tambourines and instruments, went to the bride’s house, where the ceremony started. Her companions led the bride, beautifully adorned, to the home of the groom. There a public celebrative service of commitment took place. At the end of the ceremony, her parents escorted the bride to the bridal chambers. There the husband and wife consummated their marriage for the first time.

A wedding is not a waste. The wedding is a true celebration of a new beginning, not simply making “official” what has been going on for some time but starting life new and fresh together.

Father, forgive us for exchanging your design for our desires. Help us follow your instructions for marriage. In Jesus’ name. Amen.