|
|
Marriage in the Bible
"Marriage is honourable in all,
and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge."
Hebrews 13:4 The purpose of this article is to define what marriage is in very simple and clear terms using God's word. Anytime we talk about divorce, we should as Jesus did in Matthew 19:4-6, go back and define what marriage is.
"Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother,
and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh." Genesis 2:24 When does marriage begin?
"If a man vow a vow unto the LORD,
or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth." Numbers 30:2 Here we see that if we make any vow, it is to stand as a covenant before God.
"When thou shalt vow a vow unto the LORD thy God,
thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the LORD thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee." Deuteronomy 23:21 If we make a vow before God, it will be required of us when we stand before Him in judgment (Romans 14:12). Does it begin with a covenant or with the physical union?
"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. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh."
Genesis 2:23-24 Here, the vow is sealed in verse 23. Eve is first called his wife in verse 24, and then it is said that they shall be one flesh.
"If a damsel that is a virgin be betrothed unto a husband, and a man find her in the city, and lie with her; then ye shall bring them both out... because he hath humbled his neighbor's wife."
Deuteronomy 22:23-24 The woman clearly becomes a "wife" at the time of betrothal, not at the time of physical union. In verse 23 she is a virgin betrothed to a husband, but in verse 24 she is called his neighbor's wife. Additional verses showing this point:
Wife of thy covenantIn Malachi 2:14-16, we see how God views the wife that has been put away:
"...the LORD hath been a witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant. And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the Spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly see. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth."
Malachi 2:14-16 Here, she is called "the wife of thy covenant". Though verse 16 says "he hateth the putting away", inferring that the wife of the covenant is the one that has been put away. How long does it last?
"The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord."
1 Corinthians 7:29 The bond between husband and wife lasts for life. Conclusion
Related Articles
References1. BlueletterBible.org
|