The First Marriage
Today's Scripture
"Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. The man said, 'This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called "woman," for she was taken out of man.' That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh." - Genesis 2:22-24 NIV
Thoughts for Today
The first marriage was built on a foundation of five principles. First, today's scripture clearly shows God is the creator of the marriage relationship. Marriage was not dreamed up by a sociologist, nor did it come about because of a consensus reached through a poll. Instead, God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him" (Genesis 2:18).
Second, heterosexuality is God's pattern for marriage. Adam was male and Eve was female (Genesis 2:23; 3:20; Leviticus 18:22). Third, monogamy is God's design for marriage (Genesis 2:22-24). God gave Adam one wife. Fourth, God's pattern for marriage is for physical and spiritual unity. God describes this union as "one flesh" (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-5). They are to cleave to each other, to be glued to each other. And fifth, God designed marriage to be permanent (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:6). When two people who are glued together are pulled apart, it causes pain. Divorce brings pain to everyone involved.
Consider this …
As we trace God's plan for marriage and the family, we see its significant role in the Ten Commandments. "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you" (Exodus 20:12 NIV). This is the fifth commandment and serves as the centerpiece of all the others. The first four deal with our relationship with God, and the last five focus on social relationships. The commandment serves as a bridge from our focus on God to our focus on relating to people.
If the focus on God is not present in the home, social relationships in all society including church, school, our nation, and workplace will suffer for lack of respect, direction, and purpose. Rules will change frequently without an anchor, and subsequent ethical decisions deteriorate.
We need to live according to God's pattern in the home. To honor him. To be a living example to our children. We need to teach this kind of respect and honor to our children.
Prayer
Father, help us to pattern our family relationships according to your family plan. In our home, help us to love and respect one another and above all to honor you. In Jesus' name . . .
These thoughts were drawn from …
Understanding the Times and Knowing What to Do by Dr. Jimmy Ray Lee. This book offers biblical strategies for ministry to our family and friends. Contemporary issues and needs faced by society are addressed with biblical principles that are timeless. Ideal for small group leaders and Sunday school teachers who want a better understanding of ministry in an addictive culture.
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