Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Marriage, According to the Bible

Many today want to redefine marriage in our society. The problem may actually be the original definition we have for marriage is wrong. When we think of marriage, we think of the ceremony that do many of us have participated, attended, or planned.  However, let us take a few minutes to see what scripture says about marriage. 

1 Corinthians  6:16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.

This verse is very self explanatory; however, let us look at what marriage is according to God.  When someone participates in the physical act of sex, they become one body, one flesh.  This is the biblical definition of marriage. How do we know, let us look at some more verses.

Genesis  16:3 And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife.  16:4 And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.

When Sarai, Abram's wife, gave Hagar to Abram she gave her to be his wife.  How did Hagar become the wife of Abram?  Through a ceremony? No. Through the physical act that only one male and one female can partake. They became one body, one flesh during the physical act. Let us look at another passage to confirm this.

Isaiah  54:1 Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD.

This is speaking of the wife being barren and another wife having more "children of the desolate".  How about that name for your illegitimate children? 

Let us look at Jacob.  Jacob is wanting to marry Rachel at this time. He asks Laban for Rachel; however, Laban brings his daughter Leah.

Genesis  29:21 And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her.  29:22 And Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast.  29:23 And it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter, and brought her to him; and he went in unto her.  29:24 And Laban gave unto his daughter Leah Zilpah his maid for an handmaid.  29:25 And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it was Leah: and he said to Laban, What is this thou hast done unto me? did not I serve with thee for Rachel? wherefore then hast thou beguiled me?  29:26 And Laban said, It must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn.  29:27 Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years.  29:28 And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week: and he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also.

Jacob wanted to marry Rachel. Laban brings in Leah instead. Jacob and Leah engage in the physical act of sex. When Jacob wakes up in the morning, he finds Leah there instead. Notice the last verse, "he have him Rachel his daughter to wife ALSO". This means they are both his wife.

The more we know about what God calls marriage, the easier we can look around us to see that what is going on today can not be marriage. Marriage is not a license,marriage is not the ceremony, marriage is not a price cut on insurance, and marriage is not a tax break. Marriage is the union of one man and one woman when they become one body, one flesh. Two men can not accomplish the one body, one flesh.  Two women can not accomplish one body, one flesh.

Grace and peace,
Greg Resor
Complete in Him

No comments:

Post a Comment