GOD’S PURPOSES FOR THE FAMILY (1)

“Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken” – Ecclesiastes 4:12

GOD’S PURPOSES for the FAMILY are extensions of His Purposes for Marriage: “Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken” (Ecc.4:12). Today’s meditation text captures Four Benefits of the Marriage relationship: Reward for Labour (v.9); Helpful and Lifting Companionship (v.10); Intimacy (v.11); and Mutual Defence (v.12). Marriage is the divinely-ordained bedrock and basis for Family. God instituted Marriage for the good of humankind: “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him” (Gen.2:18b). Marriage and Family are purposed for our good. That some people regard marriage as “a necessary evil” is a pointer to deviations from divine Order and Purpose.

When the purpose of a thing is not known or is misplaced, abuse is inevitable. However, the Marriage Manufacturer’s Manual – God’s Word – guides us as to the Purposes of Marriage and Family. Generally, all things in creation – including Marriage and Family – were created for God’s pleasure and glory. Specifically, God’s Purposes for Marriage and Family comprise the following:

Purpose: Marriage, Home, and Family were ordained primarily to help Man accomplish definite God-given assignments – “Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it” (Gen.2:15). God made Eve from the ribs of Adam, as “a helper comparable to him” (Gen.2:18b). Likewise, the man is meant to mutually help his wife to fulfil divine purpose.

Partnership or Companionship: “...Because the Lord has been witness between you and the wife of your youth, with whom you have dealt treacherously; yet SHE is your COMPANION and your wife by covenant” (Mal.2:14). Husbands and wives are Covenant Companions. When children are born into the Family, a stronger and more formidable TEAM is formed. 1 Pet.3:7 says, “Husbands, likewise, dwell with them [wives] with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being HEIRS TOGETHER of the grace of life, that your prayers many not be hindered.” Prayer is a key platform for manifesting Partnership!

Profit and Productivity: “Two are better than one, because they have a GOOD REWARD for their labor” (v.9). Marriage multiplies the efforts of the partnership through a Synergy of Forces, helping to accomplish more than one person could.

Power: Husband and Wife are empowered to reinforce each other against attacks and for mutual sustenance and advancement: “For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help hm up” (v.10).

Procreation: Marriage and Family are to ensure the production of a godly offspring for God – “He seeks godly offspring. Therefore take heed to you spirit, and let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth” (Mal.2:15b). God’s intent was not simply to multiply human population as an end in itself; it was and is to ensure the reproduction and multiplication of godly generations!

Pleasure and Purity: The Pleasure of Sex is meant for the marital bed: “Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge” (Heb.13:4). Scriptures propose complete enjoyment and satisfaction between a man and his wife (Pro.5: 15-20). Marriage is meant to enhance Purity, as fornication and other forms of sexual immorality are avoided. Paul wrote: “Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband” (1Cor.7:2-3).

Pattern: Marriage and Family serve as an illustration of Christ’s Union with His Church (Eph.5: 23-32).

Marriage was designed for Permanence: the man cleaves to his wife in a permanent vow, commitment and love. God hates divorce (Mal.2:16a). Sadly, human imperfections have made divorce inevitable in certain instances, with dire consequences for the Family. When God is given Pre-eminence, the result would be an unbreakable “threefold cord,” a meaningful Marriage and fulfilled Family.