MARRIAGE

“It is not good for man to be alone. I will make a companion for him, a helper suited to his needs” – Genesis 2:18 (TLB)

Central to God’s Purpose for humankind is the divine Order of MARRIAGE! God instituted marriage. All things were made for God’s pleasure and glory, marriage inclusive. Today, as my wonderful wife and I celebrate 31 years of enjoying the bliss, encountering the battles, and experiencing the blessings of this holy order, my heart is musing on the origin, meaning, and mystery of marriage. Marriage is a universal phenomenon, and there is in today’s world, a marital crisis of global magnitude. The family is the basis of every society; hence, the decay in any society is first and foremost an attack on marriage and the family. Most troubles on earth are linked with and rooted in troubles in the home. The family unit is under grave attack and fast disintegrating. The devil’s first attack on mankind was actually on the home. The fall of man is the fall of his home.

Scriptures confirm the divine Origin of Marriage: GOD – not Man – instituted and designed marriage for Himself and for the good of humankind: “it is not good for man to be alone” (v.18a). God made for the male-man, not a mere mate or a sex mate, but a help-meet (v.18,20). The woman was a creature of need – “a helper suited to his needs” (v.18b) – she was made to be valued and cherished by man as his treasured “Need-meeter.” The making of the woman was a mystery in itself. The process involved a complex, divine surgical work: the Lord God put man to a deep sleep to produce the wonder called “woman” (v.21). Eve was taken from Adam’s ribs, an indication of: her closeness to his heart; perpetual need for a covering; partnership and equality with her man, and her delicate nature. She was not taken from his feet to be treaded upon, from the arm to handle only menial chores, from the neck to bear loads and burdens, or from the head to think for or control the man.                                 

The Mystery of Marriage is for ONE plus ONE to equate ONE: “Therefore shall a man LEAVE his father and his mother, and shall CLEAVE unto his wife: and they shall be ONE flesh” (v.24, kjv). Marriage = Leaving + Cleaving + Oneness. The mystery of marriage is for two people of opposite sexes and varying backgrounds and experiences to come together, blend, mingle, and complement each other, one multiplying the value of the other: “and the two shall become one flesh; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate” (Mk.10:7-8). Marriage is indeed a Mystery that transcends the natural realm: “This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church” (Eph.5:32). A marriage that works is a reflection of the eternal relationship between Christ and His church. That’s how holy, hallowed and sacred the Order of Marriage is!

Marriage has been viewed to be of two types: the Genesis-2 and Genesis-3 types. The former was the blissful marriage in Eden before the invasion of sin; while the latter was the battered partnership after the fall. God desires that we step into the former. He wants to be restored in our relationships the bliss and serenity of Eden. Indeed, a good marriage is “your best reward down here” (Eccl.9:9 LB). Again, there are three classes of marriage in terms of degree of fulfilment or failure. First, the MAXIMISED Marriage, which is like heaven on earth, and one of the greatest joys in life. Second, the MEDIOCRE Marriage, which is just managing to survive; where the couple is divorced emotionally and spiritually even though they may still be living together physically. Third, the MISERABLE Marriage is characterized by shattered emotions, bitter memories, bruised consciences, and broken hearts. God’s Perfect Will is for us to enjoy and experience the Mystery of Marriage rather than misery in marriage. I pray that your marriage will manifest divine mystery and never experience mediocrity or misery.