Moment With The Master
“What is Marriage”
Categories: Moment With The Master"Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge." (Hebrews 13:4)
Biblically, marriage is a relationship between a man and woman wherein they become one another’s by means of a covenant and the consummation of the covenant. Let us look at various features of this definition.
First, marriage is a relationship between a man and a woman. In Genesis 2:18-24, God saw that it was not good for the man to be alone, thus he made a companion suitable for the man. In so doing, God instituted one of the most wonderful and intimate of relationships. Since God made marriage he has the right to rule this relationship.
Second, in marriage the man and the woman become one another’s or one flesh. In marriage, the man and the woman share physical and emotional intimacy together.
However, this intimacy is not to be shared casually, but to be based upon a covenant or agreement between the two to be loyal to their mate for life. According to Malachi 2:14: Yet you say, "For what reason?" Because the LORD has been witness Between you and the wife of your youth, With whom you have dealt treacherously; Yet she is your companion And your wife by covenant.” (Malachi 2:14) Notice the passage says that God is the witness of this covenant (Matthew19:6) and does not view it lightly. He does not approve of those who violate this agreement: To deliver you from the immoral woman, From the seductress who flatters with her words, Who forsakes the companion of her youth, And forgets the covenant of her God. (Proverbs 2:16-17) (See also Romans 7:1-3) Nor, does he approve of casual intimacy whether it is a one-nightstand or a twelve-year romance. Paul says, “Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.”(1 Corinthians 7:1-2) A couple must first make a formal agreement to each other before God, and also seek to make such an agreement honorable in the sight of all men. (Romans 12:17)
Finally, there is the consummation of the covenant. In Genesis 24:67: “Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent; and he took Rebekah and she became his wife, and he loved her.” (Genesis 24:67) The only honorable way to express this intimacy is in the context of marriage. (Hebrews 13:4) All other expressions of this intimacy are sinful.
Our society is in great need of understanding these things and then applying. The downfall of a nation begins with its failure to respect Gods laws of marriage.
George Slover
