The first human marriage was that of Adam and Eve. I say “human”, because eventually I’ll write on the “prototype”, and that was different (Christ and the church). It is an indispensable part of this discussion. But since I jumped in on Genesis 1 and 2, let’s anticipate that I’ll get back eventually to the “prototype” in a future blog.
At creation, God was setting precedents. Marriage was a big one. He first created the man. Then He created woman for man. Of course that’s tough to swallow. Much in the Bible is tough to swallow. So if you’re one of those who wants to write off the whole matter because it isn’t easy, my guess is that you’re like most people who feel that way: you have never seriously studied the Bible. (Forgive me if you happen to be an exception to the rule.) And then studying the Bible with the key person to interpretation and the 2-part division of law and grace must be part of your consideration. (I get a bit pedantic here because in my 59 years of experience knowing this has been so important and helpful to me.)
Regarding Adam and Eve, the New Testament affirms this same priority – that of Adam being prior to Eve. And it also affirms the innate worth of both female and male. But that they are different is assumed by the language. There are two in type, not one. God created “man” (humankind) in his image, male and female he created them. The work was not complete until female was created. The woman (female) was created because it was “not good” that man (male) should be alone. The woman Eve was made so as to be a helper for the man. This is read in wedding ceremonies that use a formal traditional liturgy. (But most pastors find ways to skirt around it. Apparently it’s too difficult to deal with. But we must remember that the abuse of position and authority never has proved that there is no such thing as position or authority.)
Was this the first marriage? Of course. God told the couple to be fruitful and multiply. And they did. Adam had relations with Eve and she bore a son. Then she bore another, and so on. When the subject of marriage and divorce is raised with Jesus, he referred to this first “marriage” (Mark 10:1-9). And in the process he made several points that make it clear he was referring not only the first marriage, but the Creator’s intention in marriage.
Jesus’ first point is that Moses’ law allowing divorce was given as a concession to humankind for their hardness of heart, and was not the first word regarding divorce. God’s was. In other words, the remedy for a marital problem was not the first teaching point on marriage from God. The first thing was the Creator’s design and intent. And that was, “the man should leave father and mother and be joined to his wife.” The joining was good: Genesis states it and Jesus underscores it.
Jesus underscored also the physical joining of the two bodies: The two become one flesh. It is clear from this that the separation occurring in divorce is a tearing apart of a body. (One of the prophets later cries out that “God hates divorce”.)
Finally Jesus warns that no human being should separate that which God has thus joined. God joins in marriage a man and a woman, and those who work to tear that apart should take warning. (Of course we all do our part to tear marriages apart, some by more covert means, yet still destructive. Only by God’s grace and mercy can our participation be rectified.)
It is really not a complicated matter. The Bible testifies that God made them at the beginning - male and female – and He made them in His image. The animals are not in his image. Humans are. And, incidentally, the animals understand by instinct, that male goes with female. Evan botanical life gets it. No confusion there.
Because this needs to be brief, let’s close with the blessing – just like a public service of worship! God blessed them, and said: “Be fruitful and multiply.” Its instructive that the command to be fruitful and multiply is the context for the blessing. There’s more than that, but it just so happens that marital intercourse, conception, childbearing and child raising are all part of something God wants to be a happy and blessed situation. He pronounced His blessing upon this, and with his blessing comes his very life-giving presence. Our part is to trust Him and take Him at His word when he speaks a blessing.
Jesus’ first point is that Moses’ law allowing divorce was given as a concession to humankind for their hardness of heart, and was not the first word regarding divorce. God’s was. In other words, the remedy for a marital problem was not the first teaching point on marriage from God. The first thing was the Creator’s design and intent. And that was, “the man should leave father and mother and be joined to his wife.” The joining was good: Genesis states it and Jesus underscores it.
Jesus underscored also the physical joining of the two bodies: The two become one flesh. It is clear from this that the separation occurring in divorce is a tearing apart of a body. (One of the prophets later cries out that “God hates divorce”.)
Finally Jesus warns that no human being should separate that which God has thus joined. God joins in marriage a man and a woman, and those who work to tear that apart should take warning. (Of course we all do our part to tear marriages apart, some by more covert means, yet still destructive. Only by God’s grace and mercy can our participation be rectified.)
It is really not a complicated matter. The Bible testifies that God made them at the beginning - male and female – and He made them in His image. The animals are not in his image. Humans are. And, incidentally, the animals understand by instinct, that male goes with female. Evan botanical life gets it. No confusion there.
Because this needs to be brief, let’s close with the blessing – just like a public service of worship! God blessed them, and said: “Be fruitful and multiply.” Its instructive that the command to be fruitful and multiply is the context for the blessing. There’s more than that, but it just so happens that marital intercourse, conception, childbearing and child raising are all part of something God wants to be a happy and blessed situation. He pronounced His blessing upon this, and with his blessing comes his very life-giving presence. Our part is to trust Him and take Him at His word when he speaks a blessing.
