This engagement among the Hebrews was made very sacred; and it was in general made early. They considered it a breach of the divine command not to marry; and hence, the betrothing, or being betrothed, was a ceremony long used before the marriage was intended to be consummated: and, indeed, sometimes there was a great lapse of time between the one and the other.
I have thought it worth noticing, in a work of this kind, purposely to observe, upon the act itself, the gracious condescension of our God and Saviour in adopting the term with respect to his marriage with our nature. His was a long betrothing, even before all worlds. But the marriage was only consummated when, in the fulness of time, he took our nature upon him, and became the Husband and Head of his church. And what a beautiful and gracious manner doth the Lord Jesus make use of, in his usual way of unequalled condescension and love, when speaking of his union with our nature, the complacency and delight he took in it, and the everlasting duration of it, he saith, "And I will betroth thee unto me for ever, yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in loving kindness, and in mercies. I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness, and thou shalt know the Lord." (Hosea 2:19-20)