Marriage

In the recent past of mankind, there have been some who have worked to change the way man thinks about marriage.  Even though some have heeded to the calls of change, the definition of marriage still remains the same.

After the creation of man, there was a statement made by God that showed His understanding of man’s need for marital companionship.  “And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him” (Gen. 2:18).  In His infinite wisdom, God did not choose to give unto Adam another male as a fitting marital companion, but rather a female.

“And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.  And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh:  she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man” (Gen. 2:22-23).

It was after this that the statement was made, “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife:  and they shall be one flesh” (Gen. 2:24).  There is no doubt then that God intended marriage to be between one man and one woman.  The intent of God in regard to marriage has not changed either.  Jesus, while on this planet, reaffirmed the design of marriage.

“And he answered and said unto them, 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 they twain shall be one flesh” (Matt. 19:4-5)?

Any attempts for two men or two women to be joined in marriage is impossible in the sight of God.  God, Who does the joining, will not accept such, regardless of what man claims. “Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh.  What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder” (Matt. 19:6).

The aforementioned verse also indicates that God intends marriage to be a lifelong commitment.  “For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth:  but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.  So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress:  but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man” (Rom. 7:2-3).

The only exception from death that God allows for a marriage to end is if one of the spouses commits fornication.  “And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery:  and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery” (Matt. 19:9).  Fornication is the act of being with someone who is not your spouse in a sexually, physical manner.  Any other “reason” that a married individual gives for putting away his/her spouse is not acceptable to God.

Marriage may have been attacked by some who desire to change its definition, but God has never, nor will ever, change His design of marriage.  Through the Scriptures, one may know what marriage is, how long it is to last, and how it may end.
~ Corey Barnette