Tuesday 15 September, 2015

18 The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” 19 Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. 20 So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals. But for Adam[a] no suitable helper was found. 21 So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs[b] and then closed up the place with flesh. 22 Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib[c] he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. 23 The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.” 24 That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh. 25 Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.

It is nothing short of amazing that the Creator of the vast universe would authorise a man to name every living creature that He had made and placed on planet earth. What is equally incredible is that this task was an essential part of the divine process in providing a “helper or companion” suitable for him.

Looking at these verses in Genesis 2:18-25 we discover three basics about God’s design for marriage. In v18, 20 & 23 th

With some Australians actively campaigning to change the very nature of marriage in Australia, it’s good to look again at the gift God gave.

God gave a relationship like no other. It is between a man and a woman, but it’s more than that. It’s a relationship between a man and a woman and God. That my wife and I become one flesh requires my original creator to remake my being. It’s a reminder too that I need my creator to become a new creation in relationship with Him too.

It’s an intentional relationship, not accidental or casual. It’s a long term, whole of life relationship, not just while it suits. Its faithful, not shared with anyone else. It’s a relationship that deeply satisfies and enriches both, not abusive or exploitative. It’s often also used as a picture of my relationship with God.

So what should my response be?

I should be certain to make God the centre of my marriage, and cherish Megan as a wonderful gift and be faithful in all aspects of my relationship with her – even if society requires a lower standard.

I should not be judgemental of the relationships others have, remembering that sometimes I’m selfish or argumentative or insensitive and remembering how that damages the relationship with Megan and with God.

I need to understand that God’s gift may not be received for all sorts of reasons. It saddens me to see people demanding relationships which are so much less than what God gives.

But I should also seek God’s best for those around me, in relationships with Him as well as between men and women. This may mean praying for good marriages in Australia, and especially for the people I know. This may mean graciously speaking God’s truth, even if it’s not popular.

Written by David Cornell