In The Beginning

In the very beginning, we see how marriage began. Scripture speaks to us about what God designed this relationship to be. Genesis 1 describes how God created the world and everything in it in six days, and on the seventh day He rested. 

In Genesis 2, we see how God formed Adam out of dust and breathed life into him, completely different than the rest of creation when it was just spoken into existence. In addition, in Genesis 1:27 God describes making man in His image setting humans even farther apart from the rest of creation.

God allows Adam to name every animal and start the human work of having dominion over the land and animals. God sees, though, that it is not good for man to be alone, but no creation so far is a suitable helper. God literally takes part of Adam, a rib from his side, to create Eve. In verse 23 of Chapter 2, Adam sees Eve and describes his feelings for her as the flesh of his flesh and bones of his bones. Meaning there is a very deep connection, deeper than just feelings.

Genesis 2:24 gives more detail as to how the husband and wife should adjust as they join together. “Therefore, a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” The Bible states that the relationship between parents and child needs to change as the child is joined with their spouse. Side note, just because this addresses a male does not give the female in the relationship a free pass. Both spouses should leave their parents, physically and emotionally, and hold fast (some versions say cleaves) to their new spouse. No longer can any human relationship come before the husband and wife; that should be the first priority behind the relationship with God.

Genesis 2 concludes with the description, “And they shall become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.” As the marriage union happens and they spend their first night together, their hearts and souls are even more intertwined. The Bible goes so far as to say they are one flesh. These two people are now one, one unit, one together in the Lord’s eyes. 

Pray

Meditate on that today, whether you are married or thinking of getting married. What does this all mean to leave your father and mother and hold fast to your spouse? To be one flesh? To be naked and not ashamed?

Father, open our eyes to see the plan you created for marriage and how to honor you best in this situation. Guide us to know how to love and honor each other well and to be the example you created this relationship to be. Thank you, Father; Amen.