Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Marriage: A Covenantal Relationship
Mrs. Lisha Thomas, Wife of
Rev. Kurian Thomas
Oklahoma, MTC
15 "Did not one God make her?
Both flesh and spirit are his".
A marriage contract would say, “I’ll keep my end of the bargain, if you keep yours. If not I’ll leave you and find someone else who’ll make me happy.” The biblical concept of marriage is that of a covenant much more than the aspects of contract. The Covenant, which is sanctified by Almighty through Jesus Christ on the Cross, reveals the blending of obedience and sacrifice. It is different from Contract as it is totally independent of performance and irrevocable. The best instance of the most awesome covenant relationship is that of Almighty God making a true relationship and responsibility with the humankind. Thereby committing all ‘He is’ and all ‘He has to’, demonstrating it powerfully in the death and the resurrection events, which is an irrevocable Covenant promise. As Jesus continues to be committed to us, Covenantal in all respects, we experience the promise, “I will never leave or forsake you”, as per Hebrews 13:5.
The prophet as a messenger, then and now, intends to bring out the idolatrous nature of Israel who distorted the faithfulness that was sometimes kept but restored many a time. The concept, of reverence to God and the partner taken in faith, was distorted even in the concept of worship. It was diluted with impurity and idolatry, grabbed by selfish and sexual gratifications, where the world has many to attract and aspire for.
In today’s context, when we understand marriage and its biblical obligations, we tend to be misled with our own perceptions and manipulated philosophies. In our day to day lives, we are forced to accept societal obligations regarding marriage and divorce with lifestyles contrary to the Lord’s doing and purpose. While marriage is instituted by the Lord and marvelous in our eyes, divorce is looked down upon as a negative outcome of a failure in marriage. In the present scenario, divorce is arrived at by petty quarrels and silly issues which according to Malachi are hated by God Almighty. Marriage - keeping the faith, and divorce - breaking up that faith, is often perceived as private matters not affecting the society. But practically fidelity in marriage sends positive signs to the society at large where perseverance in prayer becomes the key to solve most of the blossoming issues in a budding family life. Therefore marriage is to be kept holy by upholding each other’s faith as it is a covenantal relationship.
A marriage contract would say, “I’ll keep my end of the bargain, if you keep yours. If not I’ll leave you and find someone else who’ll make me happy.” The biblical concept of marriage is that of a covenant much more than the aspects of contract. The Covenant, which is sanctified by Almighty through Jesus Christ on the Cross, reveals the blending of obedience and sacrifice. It is different from Contract as it is totally independent of performance and irrevocable. The best instance of the most awesome covenant relationship is that of Almighty God making a true relationship and responsibility with the humankind. Thereby committing all ‘He is’ and all ‘He has to’, demonstrating it powerfully in the death and the resurrection events, which is an irrevocable Covenant promise. As Jesus continues to be committed to us, Covenantal in all respects, we experience the promise, “I will never leave or forsake you”, as per Hebrews 13:5.
The prophet as a messenger, then and now, intends to bring out the idolatrous nature of Israel who distorted the faithfulness that was sometimes kept but restored many a time. The concept, of reverence to God and the partner taken in faith, was distorted even in the concept of worship. It was diluted with impurity and idolatry, grabbed by selfish and sexual gratifications, where the world has many to attract and aspire for.
In today’s context, when we understand marriage and its biblical obligations, we tend to be misled with our own perceptions and manipulated philosophies. In our day to day lives, we are forced to accept societal obligations regarding marriage and divorce with lifestyles contrary to the Lord’s doing and purpose. While marriage is instituted by the Lord and marvelous in our eyes, divorce is looked down upon as a negative outcome of a failure in marriage. In the present scenario, divorce is arrived at by petty quarrels and silly issues which according to Malachi are hated by God Almighty. Marriage - keeping the faith, and divorce - breaking up that faith, is often perceived as private matters not affecting the society. But practically fidelity in marriage sends positive signs to the society at large where perseverance in prayer becomes the key to solve most of the blossoming issues in a budding family life. Therefore marriage is to be kept holy by upholding each other’s faith as it is a covenantal relationship.
PRAYER
Let us pray to keep the
promise of Covenant with faithfulness and unfailing love, to provide meanings
in all our Communication, Condition and Conflicts so as to frame Commitment
visibly and invisibly.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Forgive God, For being
only a word, Then ask God to forgive, The betrayal of language. (Mark
Jarman)