The Shiddukhim

The Shiddukhim (or the Match) begins the marriage process. This was a responsibility belonging to the father of the groom, and it portrays God the Father as the initiator of the union process, not us. As much control as we like to think we have over our lives, especially when it comes to choosing who we will marry, we must realize that in our relationship with God He initiates and we respond. God chose us as a match for Himself while we still openly rebelled against Him. Despite our rebellion, God reaches out to humanity with grace and asks us to respond in faith. Grace lays the foundation for any hope of unity.

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that remains, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you (John 15:16).