Page 12 - Pentateuch - Student Textbook

All of this is before God gives the Ten Commandments and other laws to the nation of Israel in the book
of Exodus. The foundation for making interpretive decisions must be in the very first verses of Genesis.
God’s intention for marriage is one man and one woman committing themselves exclusively to one
another for life in a ceremony of some kind involving the recognition of their families if possible. Other
relationships of a “one flesh” nature are wrong.

Malachi 2:10-16 is rich with references to Genesis 2. God’s creation of humans is the basis of our
faithfulness to one another, including in marriage. Marrying a woman who worships a different god is
unfaithfulness (2:11). Divorcing one’s wife, “the wife of your youth” or “the wife of your marriage
covenant,” is unfaithfulness (2:14). The verses give several reasons in explanation of the danger. One is
offspring. Being unfaithful in marriage jeopardizes the spiritual life of one’s children (Mal. 2:15). Another
is simply God’s mindset. He hates divorce (2:16). As the faithful God who created both male and female,
his very nature desires his creatures to live faithful lives also.

The New Testament also uses Genesis 2 as a basis for
marriage and further teaching on the topic. Jesus
corrected the current thinking of his day about divorce.
He taught that Old Testament laws given to regulate the
practice could not change the basic sinfulness of
breaking the “one flesh” relationship (Matt. 19:1-9;
Mark 10:1-12). The apostle Paul also referred back to
Genesis when he taught on marriage. The “one flesh”
unity is a reason for a husband to love his wife and for a
wife to respect her husband (Eph. 5:22-33).
Unfaithfulness, especially unfaithfulness with a Fig. 6: holding hands, oneness
prostitute breaks the “one flesh” unity by adding
another “one flesh” relationship to the mix (1 Cor. 6:15-
17).

The concepts in Genesis, and later passages building on those concepts, are basic to the life of God’s
people in any age and place. Cultural practices may change, but the core of marriage remains the same.
The challenge is to sort through cultural practices and evaluate each in light of scripture. Some very
comfortable ways of living may have to be modified or even discarded. Some new ideas may have to be
added by deliberate discussion and choice between husband and wife. This is the way of Genesis.

‘Marriage ideally produces two people who are as much the same person as two people can be!
Christians in marriage have the same Lord, the same family, the same future, and same ultimate destiny
– an astounding unity. An amazing bonding took place the moment I saw my newborn children and held
them in my arms. They are from my flesh. I am close to my children, interwoven with them. Yet, I am not
12
one flesh with them. I am one flesh only with my wife.”

1.4 Let’s Practice…

1. The Hebrew word “bara” means

12 R. K. Hughes, Disciplines of a Godly Man (Wheaton: Crossway, 1991), p. 34f.

11