Genesis 2.24, "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold
fast (cling) to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh."
As I have observed people for many years, I have come to the conclusion
that, for the most part, marriage is not held in high esteem. So many just live
together and have children together without ever considering marriage. What
does this verse mean? What is God saying about marriage? If a person cannot
commit to the marriage covenant, how are they going to commit to be a
parent?
Do we understand that marriage is the first instituion ordained by God. Do
we understand that marriage is a tangible picture of Christ's relationship to
the church? This is why God cautions/warns us about a pure life prior to
marriage and fidelity in marriage. It is amazing to me the older I get how many
people I see who take a very dim view of marriage. Yes, our contemporary world
has it all figured out - date around, try as many out as you can. The
nauseating cycle of the spiritually immature - were together, break up,
together, break up, together, break up. To use a Facebook term - in a
relationship, single, in a relationship, single, in a relationship, single, in a
relationship, single. I won't even address issues with announcing these things
to the whole world - perhaps in a later devotion. For the christian, this is a
poor testimony at best. For the world in general, what is this training for? I
would submit it is preconditioning ourselves to fail - ultimately, divorce,
remarriage, divorce, remarriage. I see no evidence of dating, at least as we
know it, anywhere in Scripture, yet that is our goal, our norm. In stark
contrast, I see examples of OT men and women seeking God's will for a spouse,
i.e. Isaac and Rebekah. I see NT priciples of purity and accountability before
marriage and fidelity in marriage. Dating is nothing more than a system the
world has devised and has convinced us that we must participate in to find a
spouse. I John 2.15-17, "Love not the world..." This is referencing a system
of doing things, and the clear teaching is that a christian should not adopt the
world's way of doing things, but God's." We adopt the world system and expect
that we will be successful and then blame God, godly people and christian
brother's and sister's when we're not. Really, the question is do I believe
that God is able or will I just do it myself. That is true in everything.
Why is a father so concerned about a child's choice/selection of spouse?
Because of one word - "leave". As revealed above, the man shall leave his
father and mother. Obviously, the wife will have to leave her father and mother
if they are to cling together. This is a father's (parent's) last opportunity
to have any significant part/influence in their child's life. Once the
"leaving" takes place, a change in the parental relationship occurs. The two
now cling to each other.
It is my earnest prayer that, assuming it is God's will for you both to be
married at some point, that you will allow Him to guide you, by His Spirit and
in accordance with His word to the person whom He has made especially for you.
Someone who will care for you and support (food and shelter) you
and truly love you as Christ loved the church.
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