Day Two in Israel
Bought with a Price
The setting is 1st Century Galilee. The small community of Chorazin lives in what the Romans called "insula." It was within the setting of this tightly knit community that a story between Ruben and Rachel's family unfolds.
You see, Ruben has reached marrying age and some discussion has begun among his insula. The family is all working in the insula one day when the topic comes up.
Ruben's mother says, "Who will my Ruben have for his wife?"
The rest of the insula is stirring with suggestions of the girls in the community. Several names are spouted off, "Sarah" or "Rebecca" or "Zipporah" or "Rachel." Yes, this was the name Ruben was hping would be mentioned, "Rachel." He grinned as her name was mentioned and Grandpa saw the look in his eyes.
The family began to discuss what kind of girl Rachel was and what type of wife she would be. They recalled how her family attends the synagogue and lives righteously before God. As the family continued to discuss, Ruben was getting nervous.
Once the family discussion had died down from a loud din to a hum of conversation, Ruben's father, Joseph announced that in the morning Ruben and he would depart to the neighboring town where Rachel's family lived and discuss the marriage with Rachel's father.
The night spent in the insula's sleeping room was restless for Ruben. He could only think about the next morning's journey and what awaited him. The morning finally arrived and Joseph and Ruben set off together to Rachel's insula.
Upon arriving at Rachel's insula, they were greeted by her father, and welcomed in. Ruben's father explained why they were there and began to discuss the prospect of Rachel marrying Ruben. Once they had decided that Ruben would make an acceptable husband, the negotiations began on the price that would be paid from Ruben's insula to Rachel's father for the loss of their daughter.
When the negotiations were complete, the Ruben took a cup of wine, drank from it and then offered it to Rachel. This symbolized the covenant that he was making. He said, "This cup is the new covenant." After Rachel had taken a drink from the cup, Ruben told her, "I love you as my bride, so I’ll pay the bride price. I’ll give up my life for you and go my Father’s house to prepare a place for you. And one day I will return and take you to be with me forever."
Ruben and his father then left. As the months pass, Ruben is worked on preparing a place at his insula. He began to build and continued until his father is satisfied with what he has built.
Meanwhile, Rachel is waiting in expectation of your groom coming for her one day. Rachel's community is stirring with excitement as they anticipate Ruben coming for her. Rachel is now referred to as one who is "bought with a price." A high price had been paid for her by Ruben and his father and the betrothal was considered very serious.
When the day comes that Ruben's father is pleased with the bridal chamber Ruben has prepared, they get ready for the wedding ceremony and feast. Ruben leaves with the groomsmen in the evening to take his bride. The groomsmen run ahead and sound the shofar to let everyone know that Ruben is coming to take Rachel unto himself.
When Ruben arrives, he takes Rachel away when Rachel's father's head is turned. Off to the bridal chamber they go followed by the best man and the groomsmen. As Ruben and Rachel enter the wedding chamber to consummate their marriage, the best man stands guard outside of the doorway. When the marriage has been consummated, Ruben peeks out of the door and tells the best man who then announces it to the crowd.
The feast begins and they celebrate the union of the man and wife for seven days.
This story was a retelling of a story conveyed by Ray VanderLaan from That the World May Know Ministries.
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