![]() His first instruction is that it must not be a Canaanite woman. Abraham is of advanced age and sends his most trusted and reliable servant on an important mission, to find Isaac a wife. One of the most well-known stories in the Bible featuring an arranged marriage is of Isaac and Rebekah. As time went on, a period of courting was added to the process so the young folks would have multiple chances to socialize with each other. The bride's family would include a dowry to the groom. The marriages were often political agreements. In the Middle Ages, the couples were usually total strangers, and the parents made all the arrangements. ![]() They were known as 'blind marriages' because the elders made the decision, and the children were expected to marry whomever they chose. This wasn't the case before the mid-20th century in China. However, the reality is options are provided, and the future bride and groom get an opportunity to reject or accept the proposed match. Most people are under the impression these marriages are forced. While arranged marriages are rare in Western culture, they still occur in countries such as India, Pakistan, China, Israel, and Iran. Webster's Dictionary defines an arranged marriage as "a marriage in which the spouses are chosen for each other by their parents." In addition to the parents, the match could be selected by a family member such as a grandparent or close family friend. ![]() ![]() What Are Arranged Marriages, and Where Did they Come From? Since we look to the Bible as our ultimate authority, what does it say on this topic? Let's explore this interesting topic. Leaders arranged marriages for political unity, opportunities to bring peace to quarreling countries, and economic benefits. However, as you glance back in history, arranged marriages were common. We couldn't imagine someone else choosing our spouse. The concept of an arranged marriage seems foreign to many of us, especially in Western culture. ![]()
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