Is it proper to wear wedding rings?

All of the evidence in the Bible is positive. Nowhere does it indicate, either directly or indirectly, that the wearing of rings (wedding bands or otherwise) is wrong.

Genesis 41:41-42 records Joseph’s acceptance of a ring given him by the Pharoah. Because of Joseph’s faithful service to God, God granted him favour in Pharoah’s eyes (which resulted in Joseph’s promotion to the second-highest office in Egypt). The ring was symbolic of the office and power he had been given. If this had been displeasing to God, He would have made it known to Joseph. But the remaining chapters of Genesis show that Joseph continued to receive God’s blessing and guidance.

Centuries later, the Israelites offered their rings toward the construction of the Tabernacle (Ex. 35:22). There is nothing in any of the previous scriptures that shows that they were doing this because God did not approve of the wearing of rings. In chapter 32, we see that Moses burned the golden calf (made from the people’s earrings), ground it into dust, and cast it into the drinking water. The jewellery was not bad, but rather the use of it to create an idol.

One final example is Christ’s parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32), through which He showed God’s love toward repentant sinners. In Lk 15:22, the father (symbolic of God) instructs his servants, “…Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.”

God’s true Church will meet Christ in the air when He returns (I Thes. 4:16), as His bride (Rev. 19:7). The marriage relationship between a husband and wife symbolizes Christ’s future relationship with the Church. If God considered it wrong for us to wear wedding rings, He would have made it clear in His Word.

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