These verses are straightforward advice about marriage. They are a warning to remain faithful, to be content, to be happy, to “stay deeply in love.” Contrary to the modern day norm, the writer of this proverb seems to assume that all of these things are attainable, not matters of fate or fancy, but matters of choice and deliberate intention. And the key is faithfulness.
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When a man and a woman enter into marriage, the commitment is for life. “…And no one should separate a couple that God has joined together” (v 6).
Jesus left Galilee for Judea, where he came upon a group of Pharisees. Verse 3 says that the Pharisees wanted to test Jesus on the subject of marriage and divorce.
Read More commitment, marriage, divorceIf there has been one person in all of history who should have a clear understanding of the value of a wife, it would have to have been Solomon—after all, he famously had hundreds of them!
Although it’s frankly a little hard to imagine him sustaining a genuine intimacy with one woman over many years, this proverb indicates that he must somehow have learned a thing or two about real relationship.
Read More joy, relationship, marriage, appréciation“Home sweet home.” Who hasn’t heard this phrase that describes so well the comfort, the warmth, the protection and the well-being of home? Engaged couples always dream of their own place. They ponder such things as decorations, furniture, color schemes and where everything should go. They’ll probably have their future home inspected. This will put their minds at ease as to the solidity of the homes structure, with perhaps special attention given to the condition of the roof. Who would want to live in a house with a leaking roof?
Read More wisdom, love, marriage, couplesIn the mountains a blocked highway can mean a massive detour. If someone closed one of these roads on a whim, many would be justifiably angry. If, however, the closure was necessitated by a washed out bridge, the decision represents a legitimate concern to save lives. The first decision intends to deprive us; the second one intends our well-being.
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Read Reflect The Greco-Roman world, like ours, was full of sexual adventurism and the confusion and destruction to which it leads. Already within the Corinthian church we’ve seen a kind of triumphant incest, and participation in religious prostitution; no wonder some were wondering if it was better just to do away with sex altogether. But […]
Read More marriage, sex, intimacyRead Reflect As far as I’m aware, there’s no other passage in Scripture that begins with the disclaimer that what follows is only the author’s opinion, and is not a word from the Lord. Paul underscores that by also making it clear that what he has to say is specific to “the present crisis” – […]
Read More marriage, dévotion, commitmentDuring my time in pastoral ministry I knew people who remarried after their spouse passed away. Because of the intimate nature of marriage, definite adjustments in lifestyle had to be made. It would be silly and even pointless for the remarried person to treat their new spouse just like the first one …
Read More covenant, law, marriage, dead
Marriage is a sacred thing, created by God. However, the natural physical urge to become one with your spouse, although created as good by God, has been bent and perverted into an inextinguishable lust in many of us. Wisdom reminds us not to be led astray by the allures of others and betray our vows to our husband or wife and God.
Read More marriage, community, bodies, lust, counter-cultural