| Our verse to DATE the Word on February 24 (2/24) is Genesis 2:24 |
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Genesis 2:24 says, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.“ |
| God’s Marriage Math is ONE plus ONE equals ONE! Our verse to DATE come from Genesis, the FIRST book of the Bible, and is part of the 2nd chapter that tells the CREATION story. Interestingly we have within the story of creation God INSTRUCTIONS of the INSTITUTION of the FAMILY. Listen, from the very beginning of what we would call time, we have had the institution of the family. Before there was any government and before there was the institution of the church, we have the family. Unbelievably, we now live in a country that struggles to define what a family is. So that we do KNOW what a family is Genesis 2:24 will give you the key people of a family. There is a man and a woman. The man will become a husband and the woman will be a wife. As husband and wife, they (most likely) have a child and maybe even children so now the man is not just a husband but a father and the woman is not just a wife but a mother. If the child is a male he will have the title of son and if the child is a female she will have the title of daughter. If they have more than one child and it is a male, the males have the title of brother, and if it is a female, the females have the title of sister. We have a man (male) and a woman (female) who now have the title husband and wife, and with child(ren) they add the title of father and mother with the male child known as a son and/or the female child known as a daughter. If there are more boys they get the added title of brother from the other child(ren) and if there are more girls they get the added title of sister from the other child(ren) Now the child will grow and one day will marry. The man will leave his father and mother and be joined to someone else’s daughter, and he will be her husband and she will be his wife. They then (most likely) will have a child or children and the parents (the father and mother of the man and the father and the mother of the wife) will be grandparents with the male being titled with grandfather and the female as a grandmother. In addition, the Bible will have as part of a family an uncle and an aunt with the male being an uncle and the female being an aunt. There is the title also of cousin, which can be used for both one who is male and one who is female. Each of the words I used is spread through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. We do not have to be confused about what a family is. We, as well, do not need to be confused about what EACH member’s role and responsibilities are. When it comes to what a husband and a wife, what a father and mother, and what a child(ren) are to do, God gives clear instructions for each. These instructions should be learned and implemented by each individual! From our verse to DATE, we have clear instructions for the HUSBAND and the WIFE as they become a new family unit. From one family comes a man and from another family comes a woman. God says they are to LEAVE. Each one is to LEAVE their mother and father. The new family unit starts with LEAVING their present family unit. As HUSBAND and WIFE, they are to CLEAVE to each other. They are to be JOINED AS ONE. Many Biblical scholars will say from this component of LEAVING AND CLEAVING marriage is the preeminent relationship! This also is to be a permanent relationship as the husband and wife are to be one flesh. At a wedding ceremony, a couple will commit – pledge – covenant to be joined together until death separates them. Jesus stated in Mark 10:9 “Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” As we consider these instructions we conclude (not unique to me) that God’s math is one plus one equals one. BTW – I consider Genesis 2:24 (repeated by Jesus in Matthew 19:5-6; Mark 10:6-9 and Paul in Ephesians 5:31) and Ephesians 5:33 to be the most important teaching for marriage. Genesis 2:24 teaches LEAVE AND CLEAVE while Ephesians 5:33 teaches the husband to Pay ATTENTION to his wife and the wife to give ADMIRATION to her husband. Following God’s instructions for marriage will bring about an enjoyable and enduring marriage! Verse to DATE the Word on February 24 (2/24) is Genesis 2:24. It says, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” Continue Strong learning your role and responsibilities in your family, And remember to DATE THE WORD |