5 weddings in the Bible we can learn from

"Marriage is what unites us today": a famous quote from the romantic classic The Princess Bride, as the protagonist, Buttercup, reluctantly is destined to marry a man he despises. However, in today's generation, marriage is usually a happy event where two people come together through vows and the promise of loving each other until death separates them.

Marriage is also very important to God, since it was he who established the first "marriage" when he created Eve for Adam. There are many marriages mentioned in the pages of the Bible and while some meet our marriage ideals well (Boaz saw Ruth in the fields and promised to take care of her through marriage), there are others that reflect the realities of marriage more.

Marriage union is not always easy or joyful, but what these five Bible marriages reflect are important truths about marriage and how it is a collaborative effort by man, woman and God to create a life-long blessed union and beyond.

What does the Bible say about marriage?
As stated earlier, God was the one who established the covenant known as marriage, establishing in the Garden of Eden that it was not good that "man should be alone" and that God would "make help comparable to him" (Gen . 2:18). The Lord went even further to say that in marriage, man and woman should leave their fathers and mothers and unite as one flesh (Genesis 2:24).

The Book of Ephesians also provides a special text that husbands and wives must follow in relation to mutual respect and mutual love as Christ loves them. Proverbs 31 celebrates the treasures of a "virtuous wife" (Prov. 31:10), while 1 Corinthians 13 focuses on what love should look like, not only between husband and wife, but also among all of us as the body of Christ .

Marriage, in the eyes of God, is something sacred and named by him, as it weaves people's lives to facilitate the meeting, courtship and final marriage between a man and a woman. It is not something to be thrown away when the "feelings" have subsided, but to be fought daily and mature with each other while both fall in love.

Five weddings to learn from
These five examples of marriage from the Bible are those that did not begin with the first romantic encounters, nor have they had days full of endless happiness and zero difficulties. Each of these marriages either presented challenges, or the couple had to overcome obstacles together that transformed their marriages from ordinary to extraordinary.

Marriage 1: Abraham and Sarah
One of the most recognized marriages in the Old Testament is that of Abraham and Sarah, to whom he was promised by God to have a son who would be significant in his covenant with the Lord (Gen. 15: 5). Before this discussion between God and Abraham, Abraham and Sarah had already had a moment of weakness when Abraham lied that Sarah was his wife, instead he called her his sister, so Pharaoh would not have killed him and would have taken her as his wife (Gen. 12: 10-20). Let's just say that their moral compass may not have always pointed north.

Returning to a child's discussion, Abraham pointed out to God that he and Sarah were too old to have a child, so an heir would not have been possible for them. Sarah also laughed at God saying that she would have a child in her old age, which of course God called her (Gen. 18: 12-14). They took things in their hands, out of God, and brought an heir to Abraham through intimacy with Sarah's maid, Hagar.

Although God has blessed the couple with a long-awaited son, Isaac, what their marriage teaches us most is that we should not take matters in hand, not trust God for the results in our situations. In both of the situations mentioned involving the two, if they had not taken the actions taken, they would not have had to face unnecessary problems and stress, even damaging the life of innocence (the innocent Hagar and his son Ishmael).

What we can take from this story is that, as a married couple, it is better to bring things to God in prayer and believe that he can do the impossible (even have a son as an elder) instead of causing more harm in handling a situation way. You never know how God will intervene in your situation.

Marriage 2: Elizabeth and Zechariah
Continuing with another story of miraculous children in old age, we find ourselves in the story of Elizabeth and Zechariah, the parents of John the Baptist. Zechariah, a priest in Judea, had prayed that his wife conceived and his prayer was answered by the arrival of the angel Gabriel.

However, because Zechariah doubted the words of the angel Gabriel, he was mute until Elizabeth could not bear their son (Luke 1: 18-25). Fast forward after the arrival of their new son, when he was to be named and circumcised. Tradition has it that she was named after her father, but Elizabeth expressed that the boy's name would be John, as the Lord had probably said. After the protest of those around her for choosing the name, Zacharias wrote on a tablet that this would be the name of her son and immediately her voice returned (Luke 1: 59-64).

What we learn from their marriage is that at a time when Zechariah was seen with authority and power as a priest, Elizabeth was to be the one who showed strength and authority in their relationship in naming her son when her husband was unable to speak. Perhaps he was made silent because God did not think that Zechariah would choose to name his son John and follow the will of God, so Elizabeth was chosen to get up and proclaim the name. In marriage, it is important to be together in marriage and to realize that only God can determine your path, not others in power or tradition.

Marriage 3: Gomer and Hosea
This marriage is one that seems difficult to understand that useful marriage advice could ensue. In a nutshell, Hosea was commissioned by God to marry, among all people, a promiscuous woman (perhaps a prostitute) named Gomer and make her bear her children. However, God warned Hosea that he would leave him constantly and that he should always find her and bring her back (Hos 1: 1-9).

God's example of Hosea's unfailing love for Gomer, even when she left and betrayed him, was to show his unfailing love he had for Israel (God's people), who was regularly unfaithful to him. God continued to offer love and mercy to Israel and, over time, Israel returned again to God with loving arms (Hos. 14).

So what does this mean for our weddings? In light of the relationship between Hosea and Gomer, he paints the picture of reality with marriage. Sometimes the spouse makes a mess, from simple things like forgetting to lock the door, to extreme problems like addiction. But if God called you two together, forgiveness and love must be offered to show that it is not a fleeting connection of love, but a love that will last and continue to grow over time. Everyone is wrong, but it is in forgiveness and moving forward that marriages will last.

Marriage 4: Giuseppe and Maria
Without this union, the story of Jesus would have had a rather different beginning. Mary, Joseph's betrothed, was found with a son and Joseph had decided not to publicly shame Maria about the pregnancy, but to end their engagement away from prying eyes. However, everything changed when Joseph was visited by an angel in a dream, who told him that Mary's son was actually the son of God (Matthew 1: 20-25).

As we will see later in the book of Matthew, as well as the other three gospels in the New Testament, Mary gave birth to Jesus, thanks to the love and help of her beloved husband Joseph.

Although our marriages cannot be chosen by God to bring his son to earth, the marriage of Joseph and Mary shows that we should view our marriage as a purpose established by God. Each marriage is a testament to God's ability to bring two people together and use their union to glorify who they are and the faith of the couple. No matter how normal you think your marriage is (which Joseph and Mary probably might have thought at once), God has purposes that you never dream of occurring in your relationship because every marriage is meaningful to Him. Sometimes you have to follow that that God planned for your wedding, even if it's incredible.

Marriage 5: King Xerxes and Esther
This marriage began in unusual circumstances from today's perspective: an arranged wedding set when Esther was brought to King Xerxes' castle and was chosen to be his next queen. However, even with a marriage not united by love, the king and Esther grew in mutual respect and love, especially when Esther told the king of a potential plot against him that his uncle, Mordecai, had heard.

The real proof of their relationship emerged when, after learning about Haman's evil plot to kill Jews (his people), Esther went without warning to the king to ask him and Haman to attend a banquet he was preparing. At the banquet, he revealed the plot of Haman and his people were saved, while Haman was hanged and Mordecai was promoted.

What stands out most in their relationship is that Esther, while understanding where she was as Queen of King Xerxes, courageously but respectfully approached the king and made his requests known when he felt he would listen and be pleasant. The contrast in how Esther made known his views to King Xerxes and how his former queen, Vashti, made his views known is clear in what Esther understood the king's reputation in society and that things important were to be managed away from the prying eyes and ears of others.

As a husband's wife, it is important to understand that being respected is highly valued by men and that if a man feels loved and respected by his wife, then he will return her respect and love in the same way. Esther showed this love and respect to the king, who returned them to nature.

Marriage is an alliance established by God between two people, a man and a woman, who understand that marriage is not only for fame, pride and needs to be respected, but must show God's love to others through mutual mutual love and God. The marriages described above are initially those that seem not to represent strong principles to help one's marriage. However, on closer inspection, it is clear that their marriages demonstrate the ways in which God wants us to lead our marriages in collaboration with Him.

Marriage is not for the faint of heart and requires real work, love and patience to establish lasting love, but it is also worth pursuing and knowing that God has brought you two together for a purpose that is greater than you can ever know.