The Dowry and Marriage Covenants

Dennis Tuuri

Outline: Exodus 21:1-11 The Dowry and Marriage Contracts Sermon Outline for June 29, 2008 by Pastor Dennis Tuuri Intro - The Way/Law. Law, Grace , Autonomy and Submission, Marriage and Covenant/Law, Life in Exile I. Introduction to the Case Laws - 1 Now these are the judgments which you shall set before them See also Gen. `18:19; 26:5; Ex. 24:3 * Slavery and Jacob and Laban; Seduction and Dinah; Levirate and Tamar; Clean and Unclean, etc. * Gods law for civil magistrates - ethical instructions in judicial matters. (Cassuto quoted by Jordan) II. Cases Involving Servitude A. Major Provision - Six Year Limitation for Christian Bondservants See also Deut. 15:12-18; Jer. 34:9-16; 1 Cor. 7:20-23 *Freedom, servitude and the American Christian B. Minor Provisions 1. If solitary entrance, then solitary exit. 2. If married entrance, then married exit. 3. If his master provides a family, then solitary exit. * Redemption possible later * Obligations of Christian parents 4. If perpetual servanthood is desired, ear pierced. See also Deut. 15:12-18; Jer. 6:10; Acts 7:51; Psalm 40:6-10; 84:10-12 *Love and service *Irresponsibility to Responsibility, of Two Sorts III . Cases Involving Servitude for Marriage A. Major Provision - No seventh-year release for betrothed female servant *Til death do us part B. Minor Provisions 1. If no marriage occurs, then another may provide her dowry, redeeming her. See also Ex. 22:16,17; Deut. 22:29,29; Gen. 31:14,15; 1 Peter 3:7 *The assumption of dowry (not European style, but Biblical). 2. If she marries his son, then she shall be adopted into the family. 3. If he takes a second wife, then she must still be provided adequate nurture, guarding, and conjugal relationships. See also Deut. 24:5 4. If he fails to provide these three, then she may divorce him without he return of the dowry by the father. See also 1 Cor. 7:3-5 Dowry as Insurance (Divorce, Death, Mature Bridegroom, Bridal Valuaiton) Conclusion The Pressing Need for Marriage Contracts (Pre and Post Nups) Ex. 21:1-11 The Dowry and Marriage Contracts Questions for Children 1. Exodus 21 starts what some call the ___ ___ ___ ___ laws. 2. These laws should help us make good state ___ ___ ___ ___. 3. We should ___ ___ ___ ___ that our nation submits to Gods laws. 4. We can make good Biblical ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___. 5. We love ___ ___ ___ and want to serve in His house as servants. 6. Our ears should be ___ ___ ___ ___ to hear and obey our Lords words. 7. There are ___ ___ ___ different kinds of wives in the bible. 8. Most wives are to have a ___ ___ ___ ___ ___. 9. This money helps if their husband ___ ___ ___ ___ or divorces them. 10. It helps parents ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ possible husbands. 11. This also helps the wife add ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ to the home. 12. Young boys should save ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ for a dowry. 13. Yong girls ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ too! 14. Parents should write good contracts based on the ____ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ laws for their marriage. 15. Children belong to ___ ___ ___, not the father and mother. 16. The ___ ___ ___ ___ also belongs to God and the Church. 17. Most government judges like ___ ___ ___ ___ in deciding things. 18. This is a great ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___.