Careful Planning and Balance

Evidently, there was plenty of good food at the wedding Jesus attended, for the Bible describes it as a marriage feast.  As has been noted, there was also plenty of wine.  No doubt, there was appropriate music and dignified dancing because this was a common feature of Jewish social life.  Jesus showed this in his famous illustration of the prodigal son.  The wealthy father of that story was so happy for the return of his repentant son that he said: "Let us eat and enjoy ourselves." According to Jesus, the celebration included "a music concert and dancing." -Luke 15:23, 25.

Interestingly, however, the Bible does not specifically refer to music and dancing at the wedding in Cana.  In fact, dancing is not referred to in any of the Bible accounts of  weddings.  It would appear that among God's faithful servants of Bible times, dancing was incidental and not the main feature of their weddings.  Can we learn anything from this?

At some Christian wedding in Africa, powerful electronic sound systems are used.  The music  can be so loud that guests cannot converse in comfort.  Sometimes there is an obvious shortage of food, but no shortage of dancing that easily becomes unrestrained. Rather than being a marriage feast, such occasions may simply be an excuse for a dance party.  Furthermore, the loud music  often attracts troublemakers, strangers who simply come uninvited.

Next time: Continue with Careful Planning and Balance

The Watchtower, 2000