God's pattern for marriage

IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: GOD'S PATTERN FOR MARRIAGE

"Therefore shall a man leave his father and mother and shall cleave to his wife and they shall be one flesh" Genesis 2 v 24.

All the way through the Scriptures starting at Genesis chapter 2 we see that in marriage a man and woman leave their parents and are joined together by God to set up a distinct family unit.

This is a picture of the marriage of Christ and His church (His bride) which He loved and for which He gave Himself for.

In speaking of marriage in Ephesians 5 v 32 Paul says "This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the Church." The marvel of this great story of love; of the Love of Christ who gave all that he had that He might win that which He valued so highly.
A marriage that will last for eternity, a picture of which we can experience now.
Our marriages should be full of this love of Christ; giving them a holiness and a powerful testimony in the world, which thing Satan hates. He hates all that is precious to Christ!

Marriage is for many reason of which raising of children in a secure loving environment is part.
We see the problem in society where children are raised without this security, and the instability it brings to children when this is broken.

In our verse, "A man" would indicate a mature person who is able to take the positive decision to "leave" his parents, and the responsibility that goes with that decision.

"Cleave" would indicate a bond of affection, which is enduring; literally to glue or cement. A permanent relationship of love.

Being "one flesh" would indicate oneness of activity and purpose and also the physical relationship.

Marriage is the God-given relationship for the display of our natural affections and desires.

Marriage is until the Lord shall come or death breaks the bond.

Matthew 19 v 6 says "What God hath joined together let not man put asunder."

In marriage too, an individual loses his own identity and both become a new person: "And they twain shall be one flesh: so that they are no more twain but one flesh."

(Matthew 10 v 8) If we take Christ as our pattern we should give our love to our partner, wanting only their love in return. (He loved us and gave Himself for us. Ephesians 5 v 25) and as this is displayed love will grow.
The husband has the role of responsibility as head and the wife the subject position as I have written previously in our morning meal some weeks ago.

This is God's order to which we must be prepared to submit if we wish His blessing Ephesians 5 v 22 and 23 "Wives submit yourselves unto your own husband, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife."

If you are considering marriage are you prepared to share everything with your partner as one person: yourself, your time, your money, your interests, your friends so that all you do will be only that which you are both happily agreed upon before the Lord?
Ephesians 5 v 21 "Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of the Lord."
I write this topic this weekend for you to sit with your partner and discuss your marriage. Either single or married. HAPPY WEEKEND.

LET US PRAY
DEAR LORD JESUS CHRIST. MAKE US A PERFECT COUPLE TO YOUR GLORY AND OUR BLESSING IN JESUS NAME.

Share this meal
Good morning friends