God Institutes Marriage

Background Scripture: Genesis 1-2
Lesson Scripture: Genesis 2:7, 18-24; Colossians 3:18-19; Song of Solomon 8:5-7

Introduction

“Of old hast [God] laid the foundation of the earth” (Ps. 102:25). Genesis, the book of beginnings, records God’s eyewitness account of the earth’s earliest history. The lessons in this quarter are taken from Genesis, from which we find the basis for the origin of sin, forgiveness, faithfulness, and God’s providence. Genesis provides our foundational belief about creation, the fall of man, and marriage, and it establishes the narrative of how God relates to humanity and his creation. The New Testament quotes or alludes to the book of Genesis over 103 times. It is a historical document, giving us a true account of the real past.

Satan continues his effort to destroy God’s Word. The modern world is seeking to invalidate the creation story by evolutionary science. The devil’s success at undermining God’s authority through the secular educational system is astounding. He concentrates his effort by placing doubt on the Word of God. This really is nothing new; it is what he has always done. The last century has become known as “The Battle for the Bible,” and by undermining its primary principles, he intends to collapse the plan of God. We must diligently continue to refer back to the basic, solid truth found in the Bible’s pages. If we do not, we too may adopt an unsound or distorted view of the very framework of God’s will and design. “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (Ps. 11:3).

No one who is sincerely desiring to follow Christ would want to stray from that which is sound, yet there are those who fall away. How does this happen? The devil begins his corruption process by isolation; he preys on the loner, the straggler, or the offended. This can lead to independent thinking not checked by fellow Christians. They then may decline to gather with God’s people in worship or in Sunday school, and finally they become unwilling to subject a private interpretation to other believers.

By attending Sunday school and applying these lessons, we encourage each other in the truth, and by open discussion and sharing our thoughts and convictions, we expose those things that may not quite pair with scriptural credibility. Sunday school is a vital part of our Sunday morning worship. Let us give it our attention and attendance.

God Institutes Marriage

Lesson 1

September 4, 2022

Background Scripture: Genesis 1-2

Lesson Scripture: Genesis 2:7, 18-24; Colossians 3:18-19; Song of Solomon 8:5-7

Introduction

Marriage was designed by God for the happiness and welfare of humanity and for its honorable propagation. It was created to be a bedrock of society, and a strong, stable marriage greatly increases the chances for success, both spiritual and material. Marriage typifies the relationship between Christ and the church and, when founded upon scriptural principles, is truly a foretaste of the joy and peace of heaven. Satan, therefore, is bent on destroying this godly institution.

Key Verse

Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband (Eph. 5:33).

Lesson Scripture

Studying the Lesson

Today’s text from Genesis reviews the steps God took in creating man. Man was the only creature that God breathed the breath of life into, giving him a living soul. This difference shows that we are separate and distinct from the rest of creation and that God’s way of relating with us is also different than with the rest of creation. God made man as the final and crowning act of creation.

God then saw that Adam would be lonely, and in a very special way, He created Eve as wife and companion for Adam. Adam was created from dust, and Eve was created from Adam, constituting the one flesh principle from the very beginning. Marriage clearly has its basis in the crowning, creative act of God. He is very interested in marriage and desires to perform a role in providing suitable marriage partners. God created Eve, who was perfect in every way for Adam and necessary for his well-being. Surely He also wishes to help us find the person who is best fit for our needs. Adam was subject to God and had no choice or say in the matter of who was to be his wife. Today we have been given liberty in whom we choose to marry, but our choice must be in the will of God and with his blessing.

God’s order for mankind is under attack in the world today. Activists speak much about rights and equality. Much of this has resulted from men not taking their role as leaders at home and in social matters as they should. We believe that all souls are equal before God, but He designed separate roles for men and women that are not interchangeable. A home where husband and wife are filling their rightful places will be the happiest, most secure home possible.

God commands husbands to love their wives. “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it .. . . So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies” (Eph. 5:25, 28). Due to man’s inherent selfishness, this does not come naturally. Some husbands may have a tendency to take advantage of their role as leaders and command their wives or children to do things for their own convenience. Too many times husbands pursue their own interests and in doing so, leave their wives with responsibilities in the home that are not theirs to bear. If husbands love their wives as their own bodies, they will sacrifice their own needs and interests and put the interests and needs of their wives above their own. A wife does not struggle to submit to a husband who truly loves her and puts her needs and wants before his own.

Our relationships as husbands and wives teach us about ourselves and Christian living. When we endeavor to follow Christ’s teachings and commandments on marriage, love will grow stronger and deeper. To be able to love their wives, husbands find they first need to deal with the seed of selfishness. When wives submit to their husbands, they find they need to put down the desire to have their own way and respect their husbands. Being married will require all Christians to call upon Jesus to help subdue the fleshly nature found in each one of us.

“Many waters cannot quench love.” A conjugal love that is founded in God’s love will endure the storms and trials of life. Conversely, a love that is born of selfish passions will not stand, for it is based on changeable feelings and emotions. Once passion wears off or carnal desire takes its place, the relationship will become unstable and in danger of falling apart. Two keys to lasting marriage relationships are having the surety of knowing that God led a husband and wife together and a joint commitment to the success and happiness of the marriage.

Practical Truths for Today

“Do you believe that matrimony is an ordinance instituted by God in the beginning between a believing man and woman, confirmed and sanctioned by Jesus Christ, and that you must enter into it in the fear of God?” 1 With these stately words, thousands of believers have entered into the sacred marriage bond. God created the human race to have a need of companionship and instituted marriage to fulfill that need. His original plan was for one man and one woman to be wedded together for life. Because of the pervasive, evil nature of fallen man with hearts hardened by sin, people found difficulties in maintaining God’s original plan. Under the old law, divorce became a legal device to be used when a man and woman found it impossible to live in peace, but when Jesus came, He brought grace and salvation and restored marriage to its original pattern. He said, “And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery” (Matt. 19:9). He emphasized that when God put a couple together, they had no right to destroy that union. The fact that God created the marriage union makes it sacred and honorable. This does not mean a marriage that has not begun in the will of God is not sacred; marriage derives its fundamental honor and benefit from being God’s original design.

When a marriage is between two believing persons, the differences that arise should be taken first to the Lord in prayer. God is able to help each person humble themselves, see their part in the disagreement, ask forgiveness, and begin anew. No marital problem is too great for God. An unwavering commitment first to God and to the marriage by both husband and wife is an essential stone in the foundation of a solid marriage because it will cause us to go to the One whom we recognize can help us. Divorce should never be a consideration for a Christian couple.

God created men and women with a mutual need of each other spiritually, physically, and emotionally. While a marriage consists of two separate individuals with different ideas, emotional makeup, and upbringing, as they meld their dreams and goals together they become one. They are truly to be one flesh, invested in each other’s needs and strengths, both spiritual and physical. They share life’s joys and sorrows, and good times and disappointments together. When one is sick, they both suffer. When one has good fortune, they both rejoice. When one is discouraged spiritually, the other prays, counsels, and encourages.

In the beginning stages of marriage, physical attraction is a natural, necessary aspect of falling in love, sometimes taking very little effort. Lovers will cheerfully do things for each other because it is enchanting to indulge the one the other loves and admires. It is thrilling to see the smile of appreciation spread across the face of his or her beloved and hear the words of commendation. With time, however, passion and feeling fade, and love becomes a choice.

Because we tend to give primary consideration to our own selfish interests, we think of a marriage partner as someone for our own benefit. Let us remember that if God has given us someone, we also have been given to someone. In other words, marriage purposes us to serve our companion so that they receive the benefits of being married. True love consists of sacrifice. Love is expressed in action and usually requires giving something of oneself in time, effort, or other expense. For example, a husband may see that his wife has had a tiring day and helps her with her household duties instead of spending his evening working with a hobby or sitting in the easy chair reading for pleasure. The wife, in turn, may go out of her way to provide a warm environment or create her husband’s favorite meal.

The devil, through the world, is attacking the godly institution of marriage like never before. People’s selfishness and lust lead them to take their marriage vows lightly, and when troubles come or when their lust becomes fixated on another person, they sue for divorce with little concern about the lasting damage that can follow. Many people reject the thought of marriage and choose to live in sin with their partner. The long-held belief that marriage is only for two persons of the opposite sex is being challenged, and even people in leadership positions openly choose partners of their own gender. Worldly-minded governments seemingly approve and give liberty for this behavior. The Christian must be firmly grounded in the Word of God and have a clear understanding that God looks at these things as exceedingly sinful. The walls of biblical truth as our defense must not begin to crumble under the constant pressure of observing evil and spiritual decay all around us. At the same time, may we remember that God continues to love and call those entangled in immorality. With confidence, we can hold forth the standards of Christian marriage and godly homes where security, happiness, and love abound.

Questions

1. What are practical ways to subdue the selfish parts of our nature that hinder marital happiness?
2. Christian culture typically favors those who are married. Can too much emphasis be placed on marriage while not giving regard to those in other roles?
3. How can youth be led to the importance of being the right one instead of being worried about finding the right one?
4. 1 “Questions for Marriage,” Vows for Special Ceremonies, Gospel Publishers
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Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).