Shalom, Mitspacha!
Marriage - Sanctity of Union
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and cleave to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”
- Bereshith (Genesis) 2:24
“And He answered and said to them, ‘Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said, “For this reason a man shall leave father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh”?’”
- Mattithyahu (Matthew) 19:4-5
“Husbands, love your wives, as Messiah also did love the assembly and gave Himself for it.”
- Ephsiyim (Ephesians) 5:25
YHVH established marriage as a covenantal union between a man and a woman. From the beginning, Scripture presents marriage as a relationship in which two become one flesh, establishing a bond that carries both privilege and responsibility.
The sanctity of marriage means that the union is not merely a private arrangement based upon changing feelings or convenience. It is a relationship established within YHVH's created order and therefore calls both husband and wife to faithfulness, honour, mutual responsibility and obedience to Him.
Yahusha reaffirmed the creation pattern of marriage, pointing His hearers back to the beginning rather than treating marriage as something that could simply be redefined according to human preference. The permanence and seriousness of the union therefore require careful consideration before entering it and faithful commitment after entering it.
The Renewed Covenant also places a high standard upon the conduct of husbands. A husband is called to love his wife sacrificially, following the example of Messiah's self-giving love. Authority within marriage is therefore never a licence for domination, harshness or selfish control.
Marriage also creates a foundation for family life and the transmission of instruction to future generations. When the marital union is treated with reverence, it can provide stability, security and a setting in which children can learn faithfulness, responsibility and the ways of YHVH.
Marriage is easy to describe as a romantic relationship, but Scripture presents something much deeper. Becoming one flesh involves a commitment that reaches beyond temporary emotions and requires faithfulness through changing circumstances.
The sanctity of marriage calls both husband and wife to examine how they treat one another. Love must not become possessiveness, and authority must not become domination. A righteous marriage requires truth, patience, forgiveness, protection, responsibility and self-control.
Yahusha's appeal to the creation account also reminds us that marriage should not be approached casually. Entering a covenantal union carries responsibilities toward another person, and breaking that trust can cause deep and lasting harm.
For those who are married, this is an opportunity to examine whether the covenant is being honoured in daily conduct. For those preparing for marriage, it is an opportunity to consider whether they understand the seriousness of the commitment they are preparing to make.
May we therefore treat marriage as something set apart rather than disposable. May husbands love with sacrificial faithfulness, wives be treated with honour and dignity, and both husband and wife submit their relationship to the righteous authority of YHVH.
Heavenly Father, YHVH, thank You for establishing marriage and for teaching us the sanctity of the union between husband and wife. Help us to honour the covenantal responsibilities that accompany marriage and to treat this union with the reverence it deserves.
Strengthen husbands to love their wives with patience, faithfulness, humility and sacrificial care. Keep them from harshness, selfishness and domination, and teach them to use their responsibilities for the protection and good of their households.
Strengthen wives with wisdom, dignity, faithfulness and courage. Help them to build their households in righteousness and to walk faithfully before You within the responsibilities You have entrusted to them.
Protect marriages from betrayal, bitterness, manipulation, violence and neglect. Where relationships are wounded, bring repentance, wisdom and healing where restoration is possible. Where serious danger exists, provide protection and righteous intervention for those who are vulnerable.
Help those preparing for marriage to understand that covenant commitment requires more than affection. Give them discernment to choose wisely, humility to learn and maturity to accept the responsibilities that marriage brings.
Teach married couples to communicate truthfully, forgive faithfully, protect one another and raise future generations according to Your ways. May their homes become places of peace, instruction, stability and reverence for Your Name.
May every marriage among Your people reflect faithfulness, righteousness, compassion and self-control, and may the union between husband and wife remain under the authority of Your Torah and Your righteous order.
Baruch YHVH. Emet.
“YHVH bless you and keep you;
YHVH make His face shine upon you,
and be gracious to you;
YHVH lift up His countenance upon you,
and give you peace.”
- Bemidbar (Numbers) 6:24-26
Shalom until tomorrow.