Introduction
Where did the concept of marriage come from? Was it God’s idea from the beginning or is it a man’s bright idea? In the day and time that we are living in people have come up with different explanations of what marriage is. Any explanation of marriage which is devoid of its original purpose will fail to convey the true meaning of it. In this article, we will explore God’s original idea for marriage.
1. In the Beginning
It is extremely important to understand the beginning of marriage as we are living in a generation where basic truths have been lost. Marriage is such one of God’s institution that is under immerse pressure. The other day I had a chat with my 16-year-old daughter who was telling me about the topic of their class discussion, and guess what that topic was? – “is marriage relevant in this generation”. These are the types of questions that people ask nowadays. The answer has always been yes because in the beginning God wanted to mirror what is in heaven here on earth and the only best way to do it was through the concept of marriage. Creation started with marriage in the book of Genesis and will end with the marriage Supper in the book of Revelation and this has never changed.
2. God’s Creation
God created man and woman in His own image (Genesis 1:26-27) for a relationship first with Him and with each another. God made the man first and then the woman. When the Lord made the man, He said, “It is not good for the man to be alone (implying Adam was incomplete by himself). I will make a helper suitable for him.” (Genesis 2:18). Then the Lord made a woman from the man’s rib and presented her to the man who called her Eve because she was taken out of the man (Genesis 2:21-23). Why did God use a rib to make Eve? God intended for the man and woman to be of the same material and to co-exist together as equals. We see here God performing the very first ever marriage ceremony. Genesis 2:24 says that, therefore, a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife and the two shall become one flesh. Marriage starts at the point a man leaves his father and mother and cleaves to his wife making them become ONE. So, they are no longer two, but one, according to Mathew 19:6. What God has joined together, let no man separate. God’s original plan for marriage was for the two individuals to give themselves up to each other totally and completely without any reservations, excluding all others. The idea of cohabitation i.e., trying to see if it can work before committing has never been God’s original idea. God’s idea for marriage was for a man and a woman and not for a man and another man, these are inventions of man. God laid a foundation in Adam and Eve on which he planned to build the entire human race.
3. God’s original purpose for Marriage
In a marriage God wanted to mirror his perfect love for his people, the bride, His Church. (Ephesians 5:25) and he expects a marriage relationship to reflect that. When we talk about God’s original idea for marriage, we are talking about his aim, intention, target point and purpose. According to the designer of marriage, marriage is for LOVE, COMPANION, PARTNERSHIP AND PROCREATION. Right from the beginning, according to Genesis 4:1, we see the first couple beginning to procreate and multiply. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 demonstrates the significance of partnership in marriage while Genesis 2:18 shows us the importance of companionship. God’s original plan was for the man and woman to rule and dominate the earth together. Genesis 1:28 “God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” He BLESSED THEM and said to THEM. God empowered both Adam and Eve, not Adam alone. Adam can dominate by himself but together with Eve, their domination, rulership and influence can be greater. Therefore, a man or indeed a woman that thinks that they do not need their spouse to rule and dominate in the earth, have not understood God’s wisdom. There is no better truth than the truth of the fact that the wellbeing of every community, society and nation is largely dependent on strong and thriving marriages.
4. Marriage Covenant
God’s perfect plan was for a man and woman to stay together in a marriage covenant till death do them part. What then has happened to society? Paul in 2 Timothy 3:2a, says that men have become lovers of themselves. This verse has highlighted why society is viewing marriage as a contract between two people instead of a Covenant as God originally intended it to be. Ephesians 5:22 says that wives must submit to their own husbands as unto the Lord. Also, Ephesians 5:25 says that Husbands must love their wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her. Paul further writes in verse 28 of the same book and chapter (AMP) “Even so husbands should and are morally obligated to love their own wives as [being in a sense] their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself. These verses sum up God’s original plan for marriage. Man cannot live fruitfully without a woman and vice visa in the context of marriage without abiding by God’s set standards. This will be explored more in the coming articles, the responsibilities of both a man and a woman in a marriage covenant according to God’s plan, focusing on how the world has perverted it.
5. Conclusion
God’s account of dealings with mankind starts with a marriage in the book of Genesis and will end with a marriage super of the lamb as written in the book of Revelation 19:9. God’s original idea for marriage was for a man and woman to be joined together for life so that they can love each other, partner with one another, provide companionship for each other and multiply. God blessed (empowered) both of them to rule, dominate and subdue the earth together.