Marriage- Biblical Perspective and God’s Participation

Some practitioners of religious rituals sometimes misconstrue and misrepresent the intent of God concerning Marriage. Some people have given much emphasis to the ceremonial event of marriage that the key purpose of marriage is lost even to the couple joined together. Others have laid emphasis on the place of the event or whether a traditional marriage is pleasing and acceptable unto God.Some try to box God’s intent and definition of marriage to the ceremonial custom of Church formalities or to the legality of the state.

The key consideration for marriage is based on the covenant before God whether it be traditionally conducted or done in a church, from the first wedding which was officially witness by God, The Bible stated that God brought Eve to Adam, he personally proclaimed before God that he was satisfy with Eve to be his life partner and it was sealed there and then by Eve becoming his wife and both were naked and unashamed before God. I believe that couples sealed by the covenant should be transparent and open to each other. (Genesis 2: 22-25)

*** Marriage is a divine, not merely human, institution. ***

Genesis 2:24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

The acceptance and proclamation of Adam upon the presentation of Eve by God was the covenant made in the presence of God.
But what is a "covenant"? In essence, a covenant is a contract between two parties that is established before God as a witness, a contract whose permanence is ultimately safeguarded by none other than God himself. In this sense, marriage is a covenant: it is entered into by the husband and the wife before God as a witness. Covenant are not to be broken as it is sealed by God.

Nearly every culture in the history of humanity has observed some kind of formal wedding ceremony. In every culture there is an event, action, covenant, vow, or proclamation that is recognized as declaring a man and woman to be married.

The ceremonial aspect is good and according to the bible, we can see from the book of John in chapter 2, Jesus attended a wedding ceremony but this does not imply that God requires an elaborate ceremony to take place before the covenant is sealed but it shows that traditional marriage is acceptable to God as Christ would not have been present at such an occasion if this was frowned upon by God.

As we know that throughout his earthly ministration he emphasised that he does as he see the Father does and till this day, the Jews still carry on in this tradition which is an important cultural heritage, but God’s presence and perspective in the ceremony is fulfilled when the groom and bride signs the dotted line in the covenant agreement which stipulates that the groom accepts the responsibility of taking care of the wife and the wife accepts the man as her husband. Covenant agreement is the key not the ceremony

John 5:19 Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.

In the time of the patriarch, men would put their hands under the thigh of another to affirm a commitment (Genesis. 24:9). In the time of the judges, a man would remove his sandal and give it to another as a sign of an oath (Ruth 4:7). Each time and place has distinct means of signifying agreements, and it would be a mistake to label these customs “inconsequential” or “dispensable.” As in all cases God declares that we must honour our oaths and he pronounces judgement on those that dishonour such.

The marriage of Isaac to Rebekah presented another aspect of marriage ceremony which implies that the conduct of the people around the ceremony is only validated by the presence of God’s approval. (Genesis 24: 1-67). In this instance the groom’s father or the groom were not present at the release of the bride to the servant but there was a recognition of the Lord’s intent in the message the servant brought from Isaac’s father Abraham.

Genesis 24: 50-52 Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, “The thing comes from the Lord; we cannot speak to you either bad or good. Here is Rebekah before you; take her and go, and let her be your master’s son’s wife, as the Lord has spoken.”

By the time dinner was served, everyone knew that this was of God, that both Isaac and Rebekah should be married (Genesis 24: 52–59). Thus, the marriage mentioned in verse 67 was hardly based on a mere sexual act. Cultural procedures and dowry traditions were fulfilled, conditions were met, answers to prayer were seen, and the obvious blessing by God was upon the entire scenario.

The Hebrew word for "cleave" at Genesis 2:24 may suggest the making of a sacred covenant, for this is the same term used of Israel's maintaining her covenant relationship with Yahweh (Deuteronomy 4:4; 10:20). When two people make marriage vows, they are making oaths not just to each other, but also to God Almighty. This is why Malachi says God is the witness that women are made wives "by covenant" (2:14). In short, one is married when one makes marriage vows witnessed not only by the wedding guests but by God himself and this why the book of Malachi also points out that He God hates divorce, for God seeks us for an everlasting and eternal relationship.

Marriage is a glorious and good gift given for God’s glory and man’s joy. It is far more than a ceremony, but that doesn’t mean that the ceremony is dispensable. Instead, the ceremony and accompanying signs are actually part of the way we portray the glory and beauty of marriage, not only for itself, but as a portrait of the greater reality of the gospel.

A biblical ceremony can be carried out in a simple, private service with only a few witnesses, or a large traditional wedding. The details are unimportant; it's the couple's covenant commitment before God and men that matters.

A man and a woman should follow whatever cultural, familial, and covenantal practices are typically employed to recognize a couple as “officially married in the place of their dwelling.

Marriage is a significant institution by which a lost world can see Christianity in action. Marriage is the most intimate of human relationships in which husbands and wives learn to model Christ’s love. Marriage provides a unique opportunity to reflect Him as a couple. Marriage provides a platform for accomplishing God’s intentions for mankind and bailing out of the covenant of Marriage is failing God.

***The key is the covenant not the ceremony. ***

We love you, remain in faith and believe always that God has your best interest at heart.

Yours in Christ Jesus

Apostle Yomi and Bola Olowo
Serving under the grace, guidance, love and peace of God
New Victorious Living Ministry (Word Ministry)

Prayer and counselling Line: +44 (0)7803813247

NB: please note all scripture are quoted from the NKJV unless otherwise stated

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