For this cause a man shall leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.
Genesis 2:24 (NASB)
For what cause is the above passage speaking of? The cause of Marriage. There in the above verse we see that the man is leaving his parents for the sake of marriage to his wife. This means becoming independent in the sense that he is starting a new home. Although the bonds of parenthood are never severed completely, the man is to now be obedient to God by detaching himself and no longer being dependent on his parents financially and emotionally.
The man is expected, as is the woman, to still show respect, honor, and love to the parents, but now the spouse is shown the higher loyalty. When the husband or wife allows the parents on either side to control the marriage, then the outcome is always a disaster.
The phrase in the above verse, “And shall cleave to his wife. . .” means the allegiance, loyalty, and decision making is to be made with the spouse. As the verse says the two become one flesh. When two of anything become one it means there are no longer two. It amazes me to see how many couples live for years with the "mine & yours" mentality. It is my money here and that is your money there. There are also couples who have the "What's mine is mine, and what's yours is mine" attitude. What a shame that they are living in direct disobedience to God's command for marriage.
To be "one flesh" requires a sacrifice to one's self and an inseparable, life-long
commitment and fidelity to one another. Together the couple are to grow in intimacy towards God and towards each other. To have a great marriage it isn't about finding the right person. It is about becoming the right person, and God has willed for us to have a partner to achieve this process. Isn't it about time we became one flesh?
Genesis 2:24 (NASB)
For what cause is the above passage speaking of? The cause of Marriage. There in the above verse we see that the man is leaving his parents for the sake of marriage to his wife. This means becoming independent in the sense that he is starting a new home. Although the bonds of parenthood are never severed completely, the man is to now be obedient to God by detaching himself and no longer being dependent on his parents financially and emotionally.
The man is expected, as is the woman, to still show respect, honor, and love to the parents, but now the spouse is shown the higher loyalty. When the husband or wife allows the parents on either side to control the marriage, then the outcome is always a disaster.
The phrase in the above verse, “And shall cleave to his wife. . .” means the allegiance, loyalty, and decision making is to be made with the spouse. As the verse says the two become one flesh. When two of anything become one it means there are no longer two. It amazes me to see how many couples live for years with the "mine & yours" mentality. It is my money here and that is your money there. There are also couples who have the "What's mine is mine, and what's yours is mine" attitude. What a shame that they are living in direct disobedience to God's command for marriage.
To be "one flesh" requires a sacrifice to one's self and an inseparable, life-long
commitment and fidelity to one another. Together the couple are to grow in intimacy towards God and towards each other. To have a great marriage it isn't about finding the right person. It is about becoming the right person, and God has willed for us to have a partner to achieve this process. Isn't it about time we became one flesh?
Be sure to read the next blog in this series about The Marriage Covenant!
