The Marriage Covenant
The Marriage Covenant
The world view about marriage has robbed many from enjoying God's best for man and woman in regards to the greatest institution of all time - The Marriage Covenant Relationship. The reason so many marriages are just existing and not thriving is because most married couples, including Christian marriages, lack this understanding - healthy marriages begin, are sustained and envisioned by Biblical truths. What is even more concerning most churches are unequipped to teach the whole counsel of God's Word on a relationship that is to last until death do you part.
The prophet Malachi was sent by God to scold the priest and men of Judah, husbands were not staying faithful to their wives. (Malachi 2:13-16; Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible). The church then failed like the church today is not teaching men about the Marriage Covenant. The marriage covenant (בְּרִית beriyṯ ) "a feminine noun meaning an alliance, agreement between human beings (Baker, W., & Carpenter, E. E. (2003). The complete word study dictionary: Old Testament (p. 165). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.; Proverbs 2:17) The Hebrew word used in Malachi 2:14, "marriage covenant" (חֲבֶרֶת ḥaḇereṯ ) "is a female noun indicating a female companion as bound to a marriage covenant. (Baker, W., & Carpenter, E. E. (2003). The complete word study dictionary: Old Testament (p. 312). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers) Men and all of mankind must grasp this truth: This marriage covenant is intended by God to be life long place under His enabling and care so a couple may enjoy unconditional love, reconciliation, sexual purity and growth in all stages and condition in life. Married couples (man and woman, according to Jesus in Matthew 19:4) living in a covenant marriage has the steadfast love of the Lord, enjoying His compassions which are new every morning. (Lamentations 3:22)
A God pleasing marriage is not based off a contract, but a covenant. A contract is an agreement between two or more parties, especially one that is written and enforceable by law which are based on protection and mistrust. A true marriage covenant referred to in Malachi (and Jesus referred to in the New Testament) is a bond between two parties holding the concept of cleaving or sticking together like being held by Super Glue.
Covenant marriage relationships live by these truths: It not what I said, but what did you hear? It is not "I take you for me, but I give myself to you." It ask, "What may I do for you? What can I give?" "I will give 100% plus to help meet our dreams, reach our goals and accomplish our God given vision." It never says, "I have to do something," but "I want to do all that is needed."
A man and woman living under a Biblical Marriage Covenant are seen together, work together in the home and on projects, as well as present a life of common ideology, direction and vision for all to see and be hungry for. Couples living under the "Marriage Covenant" know the Biblical reality of becoming one in flesh and spirit, promised by God to His people as they live in obedience and submission to the Lord, Jesus Christ.