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The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Vol 1 - Predestination

The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Vol 1 - Predestination

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FROM BETHLEHEM TO JORDAN.<br />

BOOK<br />

n<br />

• Jodff. Ti.<br />

by Chuppah <strong>and</strong> betrothal'—^<strong>the</strong> whole being<br />

perhaps oonclnded by a benediction over <strong>the</strong><br />

statutory cup <strong>of</strong> wine, which was tasted in turn by<br />

<strong>the</strong> betro<strong>the</strong>d. From that moment Mary was <strong>the</strong><br />

betro<strong>the</strong>d wife <strong>of</strong> Joseph; <strong>the</strong>ir relationship as<br />

sacred, as if <strong>the</strong>y had already been wedded. Any<br />

breach <strong>of</strong> it would be treated as adultery; nor<br />

could <strong>the</strong> bond be dissolved except, as after<br />

marriage, by regular divorce. Yet months might<br />

intervene between <strong>the</strong> betrothal <strong>and</strong> marriage.^<br />

Five months <strong>of</strong> Elisabeth's sacred retirement had<br />

passed, when a strange messenger brought its first<br />

tidings to her kinswoman in far-<strong>of</strong>f Galilee. It was<br />

not in <strong>the</strong> solemn gr<strong>and</strong>eur <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Temple, between

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