Marriage

From Courtship to Publishing the Banns

2026-02-08

Text

Gen 29:18-28; 2Sam 3:14; Matt 1:18-20;

Aims

  1. to expose the biblical context of Courtship and its importance and

  2. to expound the significance of marriage bann.

Introduction

Sexagesima means sixty Sunday before Easter; as we look forward to Lenten season, may God revive our family and marriages towards all righteousness in Jesus name.

Courtship is the period between engagement and marriage. It is far different from Dating. In dating, the man and the woman often have no commitment to marry each other and they refer to themselves as boyfriend and girlfriend; whereas, in Courtship, they both have been betrothed or espoused to each other in agreement and commitment to get married with each other. Therefore, they refer to themselves as fiancé and fiancé; then, after marriage, they call themselves spouse. Our Bible passages today, exposed us to the period of courtship known as betrothal or espoused between Mary and Joseph (Matt 1:18a). However, we see the betrothal of Jacob and David being forestalled through deceit by Laban and King Saul respectively. To prevent these and any other impediment against a betrothed marriage, a marriage bann is published and publicly announced. An example of a marriage bann as copied from the marriage ordinance in our Anglican Book of Common Prayer is as follows:

I hereby publish the banns of marriage between N... of this Parish or... Parish living at... and N... of this Parish or... Parish living at...If any of you know any just reason in law why these persons may not marry each other, you are to declare it now. This is the first; or second; or third (as the case may be) time of asking. In response to the banns, if an impediment to the marriage is alleged, the marriage may not hold, and if not, it is established. By this act, no ‘Laban’ or ‘King Saul’ can play foul on the couple.

Study guide

  1. Critically study Gen 29:18-28; 1Sam 18:25-27; 25:44; 2Sam 3:14 and justify the importance of publishing of Bann before marriage.

  2. Differentiate between courtship and dating; boyfriend and girlfriend; fiancé and fiance with reference to contemporary experiences.

  3. Carefully analyse Deut 7:2-4; 1Cor 7:10-15; 2Cor 6:14 and discuss why it is better to research very well before entering into marriage.

  4. How effective is the observance of courtship period in our contemporary society? Discuss in line with internet or online engagements.

Conclusion

The period of courtship is very important in marriage for serious research into the personality of the espoused. Those who seek your hand in marriage may be generous, rich, well-trained, handsome, and industrious. However, unless they are children of God by faith in Jesus Christ, you must not make them husbands and wives. It is better to break the courtship than break the marriage. (2 Corinthians 6:14).

Food for thought

Check the espoused very well so as to cherish the spouse.

Memory verse

Matt 1:18a “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph.”