TYPES AND METAPHORES
Introduction:
Why do people get married, and what are the guidelines for a truly happy and blessed marriage as defined in scripture?
1. Marriage was first instituted by God from the beginning of time- Genesis 2:18, 24. There are several reasons why God ordained marriage.
(1). God made Adam with the purpose of making him complete by giving him a companion made like himself. Therefore it is written, “It is not good that the man should be alone.” In the grander scheme of things, we can see how this typifies the person of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Last Adam. Being the Son of God, and the Lamb of God from the foundation of the world, God the Father purposed that He should have a people, for His honor and glory, Hebrews 2:10-13.
(2). God purposed to honor Adam in making him a companion like himself, but different, to be a “help-meet” to him, v. 18. She was to help him in all the affairs of life, not only in reproducing children, but to provide things useful and comfortable for him; to prepare his food, and take care of the his family. The word ‘help-meet’ means, one "like himself" or "as before him," that would be pleasing to his sight, and with whom he might delightfully commune. Here is a beautiful description of what the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ is to Him, Ephesians 5:20-32. The way that God put Adam to sleep, and took his rib to form the woman is a picture of God the Father putting His Son to death, that from His wounded side, He might make for Him a wife, a bride, like unto Himself, vv. 23, 24.
2. Marriage, according to Scripture, has three key
elements:
(1). Leaving Father and Mother- This is not saying that a man upon his marriage is to drop his affections to his parents, or neglect his responsibility to obey and honor them. The principle is that the man take responsibility for his wife and leave the father’s house in order to provide a dwelling for the wife that they might dwell together. This is what our Lord Jesus Christ did in coming to earth to work out salvation for His Church. He left His Father’s house to provide an eternal dwelling for her, John 14:2.
(2). Cleaving unto the wife- True love is to be the very foundation of any marriage. This is more than a physical attraction to the woman, but a commitment to taking care of her, nourishing and cherishing her, providing all things comfortable for her, continuing to live with her, and not depart from her as long as they live. This is reflective of the love of Christ for His Church, Ephesians 5:28. Cleaving is in the present tense. This is why divorce is not an option- Mark 10:1-9
(3). Becoming one flesh- The union between them is so close, as if they were but one person, one soul, one body. Polygamy, unlawful divorces, and all uncleanness, fornication, and adultery are therefore wrong, Hebrews 13:4. So true is the union between Christ and His people, that God sees all who are in Him as one with Him, inseparable forever- Colossians 3:1-11
CONCLUSION:
There is no institution to which Satan is more violently opposed than marriage, not merely because of the peace and comfort it gives to the man and woman, but because by disrupting it, he has attacked that which God has established as an everlasting testimony to the honor of His Son.