Who gives this woman...?

"If a young woman makes a vow to the LORD or a pledge under oath while she is still living at her father's home, and her father hears of the vow or pledge and does not object to it, then all her vows and pledges will stand. But if her father refuses to let her fulfill the vow or pledge on the day he hears of it, then all her vows and pledges will become invalid. The LORD will forgive her because her father would not let her fulfill them.  (Numbers 30:3-5 NLT)

I know this passage isn't specifically tied to the marriage ceremony.  But, suddenly, this part of the ceremony makes much more sense to me.

The dad was responsible for the provision and protection of his daughter.  To this day we still have a built-in compass that tells us that this is the way things should be.  When a father walks away from his children, we refer to him as a "dead-beat dad."  He's not fulfilling his God-given responsibility.

Part of that responsibility is helping her learn how to make wise choices.  It is for this reason that the law specifically stated that dad could "override" a promise the young girl makes - so she wouldn't be held accountable before God for making a bad decision.  Dad could still come to the rescue.

When a man and woman get married, they make vows to one another.  They make a covenant commitment before God.  They choose a life together.  Dad needed to be there giving his consent or the vow didn't count.  She wasn't bound by her oath.  Her vow was null and void...unless he agreed.

I really wish more dads took this responsibility seriously.  Our children are the greatest gift God will ever entrust into our care.  We should treat them as such - not by spoiling them at one extreme or walking out on them at the other.  He wants us to care for them, raise them up to know Him and walk with Him, and then let them walk into adulthood equipped for a great life walking together with God.

When you do raise her to walk with Him, she has a "Father" for life.  And should you have the pleasure of walking her down an aisle where you hear the question, "Who gives this woman to be wed to this man?"  Don't worry.  She's made a wise choice.  You taught her to turn to her Father in Heaven for advice...and I've heard His advice is quite good.