Covenant: Week 4 of 4

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In this final video on the idea of Covenant, we'll look at the use of covenant language in an ancient Near East marriage proposal. 

Throughout Israel's history, they have viewed the events at Mount Sinai after the Exodus from Egypt as a "wedding" between them and God. God, of course, is the Bridegroom and Israel is the Bride. The metaphor for the covenant relationship established between the people and God is that of a marriage. 

This symbolism is carried throughout the Hebrew bible and right through the New Testament as the early Jewish disciples are describing the new covenant relationship between their community and Jesus as the Messiah. Hence, in the Book of Revelation, John describes the church community as the 'bride of Christ.' 

Additionally, as we will see in this video, Jesus uses the cultural language for a marriage proposal during the final Passover meal with his disciples. This language comes from the Mount Sinai covenant story in Exodus (Ex. 24:8). Jesus uses the metaphor of a marriage proposal and the Bridegroom going back to the 'father's house' to prepare a new room for his bride. The disciples would understand that one day, when all was prepared, the bridegroom would return to get them and the marriage would be complete.  

When you engage in the sacrament of communion and raise the cup of wine to your lips, you are, in cultural language, saying to Jesus, "I do." And once you commit to that relationship, you must remain faithful.