DAY FIFTY-SEVEN - BIG PICTURE IN A YEAR - THE PEOPLE

For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

Genesis 2: 24

Reading: Genesis 2: 18, 21 – 25; 1 Corinthians 1:10

We’ve come to the last and possibly most significant of the five mandates God gave to His people. Marriage. In many societies, particularly in western culture, marriage has become somewhat of an archaic institute. Many people consider it a bit of a nonsensical and impractical concept in a world so fast changing. Cohabitating without marriage has become an easily accepted practice. Relationships are difficult, and millennials in particular are hesitant to put down roots. Some may even go as far to say that marriage is more of a hindrance to a fruitful life, than a blessing.

Unlike the “Unsinkable Titanic”, marriage was not some man’s great idea. In His infinite wisdom God decided that a man would pursue a woman. He designed the woman in such a way that she would be attractive to the man, and vice versa. God decided that the man would leave his parents, to begin a new family line with his wife. He physically created both beings in order to fit together, in order to become one flesh. Not that they would stop exisiting as two separate individuals – but that their union be the most powerful representation of unity on earth.

God has always existed in community or family. God didn’t create mankind because He was lonely – He has always had fellowship within the trinity. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are three separate persons who are one. Perfectly united. In the monumental call to marriage, where two complete strangers, from different homes with different ways, choose to be united to each other in a covenant relationship with God – there is the clearest and most natural depiction here on Earth of the supernatural image of God.

If you are already married – thank God for another one of His blessings, and if you’re not then trust God for this call on your life.

Prayer

Thank you Lord Jesus for the institute of marriage. Thank you that you thought of everything for us, even the provision of earthly companionship.

For The Family

Tell your family the story of how you met, fell in love and the choice to be married. Discuss the joys of marriage with your children and the benefit marriage brings to life.