i was just wondering,at what era did the functions of a biblical priest include joining of couples for marriage. i need to know.
from my little knowledge of the bible, wedding ceremonies had nothing to do with the temple or the priests either in the old or new testament dispensations.i stand to be corrected.
Christ said, for this cause a man shall leave his parents and cleave to his wife. the two shall become one flesh. therefore what God has joined together, nobody should put asunder. he that findeth a wife findeth a good thing.
from the above it is clear that
a)it is God who joins the couple, not the priest or the society.
b)the society is only implored not to cause separation.
most of the conditions set for marriages in most institutions like the church,tradition,etc, more often than not, serves as a barrier and and thus, a separating factor to the prospective couples.
this explains the high rate of unmarried population in Nigeria today.
some of this conditions include, prohibitive cost of wedding, bride price, abstenence before marriage, when, in fact, premarital sex, and abortion (in order to be seen as abstenent) are the order of the day.
adults should be allowed to cleave together as one flesh, without the debilitating bottlenecks.