Matthew 19:1-12; Gen. 2:21-25, Marriage

Let us continue meditating on the words of our Lord on this important issue.

·        And the two shall become one flesh.  This is not complicated.  By virtue of the Creator’s work they are a perfect fit.  the lonely man, who could not be completed or satisfied by any animal in creation, is lonely no more by virtue of God’s perfect creation, the woman.

·        So then they are no longer two but one flesh.  It is important to note: this is not merely physical but involves the entire couple.  There is a physical fit, if you will, in rape; but it does not satisfy because it violates the soul and spirit (as in the story of Amnon and Tamar, 2 Sam. 13:1-20).  The same can be said of adultery and harlotry/prostitution (as seen in Prov. 5).

·        Therefore.  Not because the marriage is so wonderful does Jesus stress the oneness.  It is because of what marriage is by God’s design: two become one!

·        What God has joined together.  God’s activity is what is stressed in the term joined together.  The term connotes a yoking together by God.  It fits the idea that God view the marriage as a covenant relationship (Mal. 2:14).  The immoral woman who forsakes the husband of her youth, forgets the covenant of her God (Pr. 2:17). 

·        Let not man separate.  Note that this is where the sentence ends; there is a period!  The Greek term from Matthew means no one is to divide the two.  It is used of marriage in 1 Cor. 7:10,11 and 15.  And if you wonder how tight the relationship, it is also used in Rom. 8:35 and 39, speaking of the fact that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. 

To this point let us summarize.  God made two people in His image (equals).  God made two people in relationship of head and helper.  These are not contradictory statements.  And since this was the Creator’s intent, any separation of the two subverts the Creator’s intention.

Let us be very clear.  This is not an unreasonable or mean plan from God.  This is His checed, goodness, lovingkindness.  In kindness to humans God calls people to marriage as He intended.  We consider this to be the grace of God because this relationship was the only solution provided by the loving and all-wise Creator for man’s loneliness.  To opt for divorce is to settle for something less and thus to choose that which does not satisfy. 

Marriage is difficult.  But God encourages the struggling couple to pursue His good answer to their need.  Let us not doubt His love or wisdom.

Let us also note that Jesus is not finished.  The test of the Pharisees comes in the follow-up question: Why then did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away.  The Pharisees understand that Jesus did not adopt either Rabbinical answer.  He taught from Scripture.  We will pick up from here in the next post.