In biblical times, a sacred bond was formed between a man and woman, symbolizing their commitment to one another. The apostle Paul compares this covenant to the union between Christ and the church in 2 Corinthians 11:2. The prophet Hosea uses the metaphor of betrothal to describe God's relationship with His people, promising to betroth them to Himself in righteousness and justice, as seen in Hosea 2:19-20. This ancient custom is also illustrated in Genesis 29:18-30, where Jacob's seven-year wait to marry Rachel demonstrates the patience and dedication required in this sacred vow, a concept later echoed in Ephesians 5:31.
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I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. For I promised you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.
So I will betroth you to Me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in loving devotion and compassion.
Since Jacob loved Rachel, he answered, “I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.” Laban replied, “Better that I give her to you than to another. Stay here with me.” So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, yet it seemed but a few days because of his love for her. Finally Jacob said to Laban, “Grant me my wife, for my time is complete, and I want to sleep with her.” So Laban invited all the men of that place and prepared a feast. But when evening came, Laban took his daughter Leah and gave her to Jacob, and he slept with her. And Laban gave his servant girl Zilpah to his daughter Leah as her maidservant. When morning came, there was Leah! “What have you done to me?” Jacob said to Laban. “Wasn’t it for Rachel that I served you? Why have you deceived me?” Laban replied, “It is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older. Finish this week’s celebration, and we will give you the younger one in return for another seven years of work.” And Jacob did just that. He finished the week’s celebration, and Laban gave him his daughter Rachel as his wife. Laban also gave his servant girl Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as her maidservant. Jacob slept with Rachel as well, and indeed, he loved Rachel more than Leah. So he worked for Laban another seven years.
“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”
This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged in marriage to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.
Now I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman, commits adultery. ”