Marriage is God's idea. Man did not come up with the idea of marriage. Society did not come up with the idea of marriage. Even religious groups did not come up with the idea of marriage. God is the One who created the institution of marriage, and He is the One who has given us His mandate for marriage. Therefore, we must insist that only God's mandate for marriage is valid and must be adhered to. This means that we cannot and should not allow man's mandate, the mandates of society, or even the mandates of religious groups (assuming they differ from God's mandates) to influence our understanding of God's Divine Design for marriage.
1)
God's mandate for marriage is that it unites a man to a woman. Although this may be considered a narrow-minded and unpopular statement (by man, society, and even certain religious groups), we must look at the verse above and recognize that God's design and mandate for marriage is a heterosexual union between a man and a woman. Remember, marriage is God's idea and He has the right to set the parameters for His design! We also see that the "leaving" by the man points to a public social occasion. As the late Pastor/Evangelist John Stott wrote, "Before the 'cleaving' of marriage there should be the 'leaving' of parents, and the 'leaving' in mind is a public social occasion. Family, friends, and society have the right to know."
2)
God's mandate for marriage is that it unites one man to one woman for one lifetime. Monogamy, not polygamy, is God's divine design for marriage. Although polygamy was "tolerated" for a while in the Old Testament, it is clear in the verse above that it was not part of God's design from the beginning. This must also be said about divorce. When a man "leaves" his mother and father, he is to be "united" (or cleave like glue) to his wife. Unfortunately, society today seems to endorse a "sandpaper" type of leaving and cleaving, where two pieces of sandpaper rub together for a while but soon realize that they will never stick! The result is an ever-increasing divorce rate that is running rampant throughout society, and has even infected the church. It is true that the New Testament permits divorce in two defined instances (Adultery- Mt. 19:8-9; Abandonment by an unbeliever - 1 Cor. 7:12-16), but Jesus made it very clear that "it was not this way from the beginning" (Mt. 19:8).
3)
God's mandate for marriage is that it unites one man to one woman for one lifetime where they become one flesh. Sex is also God's idea, and He has designed sex to be within the context of marriage. Within that context, sex can be a blessing. Think of fire within the context of a fireplace, the house is warmed. However, outside of that context, sex can be a curse. Think of fire outside the context of a fireplace, the whole house can burn down. Does this seem to be too narrow-minded and woefully outdated? Take a look at all the problems that are occurring throughout the world because of human disobedience when it comes to sex. God's mandate for marriage is that the man and woman become one, spiritually, emotionally and physically, where their marriage brings honor and glory to God. But what about people who are not married? Can their lives bring glory to God? Of course they can! The Bible tells us that some people are called to singleness, as the Apostle Paul seemed to be (1 Cor. 7:7). Even our Lord Jesus Christ was not married and He said that it was possible to bring glory to God through the gift and calling of singleness (Mt. 19:10-12).
"And He answered and said, "Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, andthe two shall become one flesh'? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate." (Matthew 19:4-6 NASB)
Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord, I praise you for your wonderful marriage mandate. Your word of truth is perfect and it is eternal. I believe that every word is inspired by you, thus I want to obey every word by the power of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus Name, Amen
For Further Reading: Matthew 19:1-12; 1 Corinthians 6:18-20; 1 Corinthians 7
