“Marriage
is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled:
but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge” (Hebrews
13:4). Sadly, we live
in a time when many do not view marriage as an honorable joining
together of
male and female. In many homes, marriage is viewed as a prison instead
of
precious. However, the writer of Hebrews affirmed that marriage was in
fact an
honorable union. Interestingly, this idea of honorable carries with it
the idea
of something “of great price, precious, esteemed”
(Thayer, e-sword). Why would
the Holy Spirit declare marriage to be honorable?
First,
marriage is honorable in its derivation. Simply
stated, marriage originated in the mind of God! Marriage is that
wonderful, sacred
institution designed by an All-Wise Creator for His creation. That fact
alone
causes marriage to be precious! When God created Adam in the paradise
of Eden,
He saw that man was
all alone and needed a helpmeet (cf. Genesis
2:18).
In that wonderful garden so many centuries ago, God created woman, to
be a
helper and encourager to her husband. God instituted and regulated the
honorable union of eligible male with eligible female thus creating
marriage, a
truly honorable relationship.
Secondly,
marriage is honorable in its duration. Sadly,
we live in an age where many do not revere this God-given, honorable
union. Marriage
is ordained by God Himself, and He expects us to uphold that sacred
union for
life! Jesus, in His masterful teaching, gave but one
reason (outside of death)
for this honorable institution to ever be separated (cf. Matthew 5:31-32; 19:1-9).
“Until death do us part”
must not be just a catchy phrase uttered at a wedding ceremony! The
marriage
bond, contrary to what many believe, is a lifelong commitment. Marriage
is not
disposable! Often, Americans rejoice with their mates until something
“better”
comes along. How sad and how tragic! Contrary to what many Americans
say (which
include some false teachers and preachers of God’s Word), the
Bible still says,
“Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of
thy youth” (Proverbs
5:18). The precious relationship given by God is for better or for
worse and
until death do us part. Marriage is honorable in its duration!
Although surrounded
by a world that does not revere and
uphold the preciousness of the marriage bond, may we, as
God’s children,
understand that marriage in truly an honorable relationship. Honorable
in its
derivation and in its duration, marriage is honorable in all! May God
bless our
marriages as we honor and cherish them for life!
