In order to effectively answer that question, I believe we should have knowledge of two words; betrothal & covenant. A person would find the word betrothal in biblical text and even in other religious cultures. Covenant is one of the most commonly used words in our daily communications though. A betrothal is defined as a mutual promise or contract for a future institution of marriage. A covenant is defined as an agreement established between two or more people to carry out the terms agreed upon. Who has the responsibility to carry out these terms? Easy…the husband, the wife and God.

The word troth in  be-troth-al comes from the old English word truth.  The spirit of God (known as the Holy Ghost) is called the Spirit of truth. Since God’s spirit is with us and he is the spirit of truth we must also know that his job is to bring all truth to pass in our lives.  So, when you are pledging your troth (with this ring, I thee wed; I pledge my troth) to God and to one another, you are also pledging your truth. God’s responsibility is to bring what you pledge to pass. So, what is or was your truth at the altar?

The covenant is the manifestation of the established written agreement with the position as the husband and wife understood and revealed. The function of the husband and wife in the marriage would be established in your courtship as a verbal & written agreement. The idea is to establish your differences now so that they never become irreconcilable. The court term for divorce is irreconcilable differences; conflicting beliefs and ideals that cannot be brought in agreement.

The agreement is the engagement which was established when the man and woman came together and constituted the success of their marriage using the IKR six core perspectives (social, spiritual, emotional, psychological, policies and procedures). The proposal is a public presentation of the written engagement to be placed before the mind of the future husband or wife for meditation.  Once the agreement is verbally proposed, you are now officially engaged. The man presents a ring and his betrothal agreement to his future wife. She accepts and then the preparation for the wedding ceremony begins.