The Marriage Covenant - Day 5
“Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” Matthew 19:6
Jesus said those words to the Pharisees when they asked him if it was lawful to divorce (see Matthew 19:3). I love what Jesus said; “What therefore God hath joined together...”. In Matthew 19:4-5 Jesus affirmed what we read in Genesis 2:23-24 is true and accurate when He said, “Have ye not read that He which made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said ‘For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the twain shall be one flesh’?
God gave the marriage covenant on day 6 of creation. Let us not forget that it was God who established marriage. Something else to remember is that the wedding vows, the promises, are vows to the One who established the covenant, God himself. In the words of Jesus, “What therefore God has joined together…” Marriage is God’s gift to Adam. Adam was God’s gift to Eve. God did all the planning, creating, introducing, and giving. The marriage covenant is a lifelong commitment to God first. Ephesians 5:33 says, “Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.” Love and honor are to be the expression of the marriage relationship.
Genesis 2:25 says, “And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.” Adam and Eve, given to each other by God, were living in this perfect environment where they were free from fear, pain, sorrow, and shame. I like to think I can imagine such a place. But in reality I cannot. I was born in sin. Though I was raised in a Christian home, I was also raised in a fallen and sinful world. I don’t know what it would be like to be without sin. I don’t know what life would be like without shame filled memories of past mistakes. But that doesn’t stop me from trying. Let’s all long for purity, innocence, fearlessness, holiness, and the perfect love and communion with God Himself. And this is love of God, that He is preparing us for that place where we will live in perfection with him forever.
Think of all the wonderful blessings God created and gifted to Adam and Eve. The beauty of God’s created world. All the sights, sounds, textures, odors, flavors, and so much more. And from our vantage point, we also see the peace, joy, holiness, and innocence in all its purity. But the greatest gift of all has to be the pure loving relationship Adam and Eve had with God himself!
“Thank you, Father, for your love toward us in the promise of the reward that purity, innocence, and holiness will again reign in your presence. Amen.”
