In Jordan this year we have gotten to know a very nice man who is married and has young children. He has a pretty good job and his family is probably a member of Jordan’s growing middle class. What we found so striking about Suliman was the fact that his marriage had been arranged by his family.
In his culture, it was not Suliman’s automatic right to marry the girl he wanted to be his wife. In fact, there was such a girl and others knew about their special interest in each other. But their families did not want this marriage and Suliman’s family made the arrangement for him to marry another.
This is how it is done in his community, so Suliman accepted his position and responsibility. He has been married a number of years now and has done the best to make the most of it. I can only assume (and hope) that his wife has done the same.
His story is a modern day reminder of the ancient Biblical world where marriages were arranged by the family. Sometimes it worked out better than others. It just makes me thankful for the wife I have – she made a good choice (!) – and I feel so blessed to be able to have her with me here in Jordan.
One Wife at a Time,
Pastor Gary Byers
Spiritual Life Director