My Marriage, a Covenant?

Most people enter into marriage with the honest intention to stay with their marriage partner.  But many enter into their marriages with an “escape clause” in the backs of their minds.  I question whether such people realize how binding the marriage covenant is.

In Scripture, it is plain that God means for marriage to last a lifetime.  Very bluntly, the Word of God says, ”I hate divorce,” says the LORD God of Israel, “and I hate a man’s covering himself with violence as well as with his garment,” says the LORD Almighty. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith” (Malachi 2:16).

In the Old Testament, the marriage covenant ceremony was far more serious than our wedding ceremonies today.  Instead of, “Till death do us part,” it was “If I part, death unto me.” That’s a bit more binding!  Breaking a covenant relationship signifies a challenge to God’s authority.  ”Since God stands as a witness to and enforcer of this covenant relationship, it is not a mere human contract, but one that includes a heavenly dimension” (http://www.oldtestamentstudies.org/honoring-god-through-the-marriage-covenant/).  

Many do not think of their relationship to their spouse as having anything to do with God, but that does not release them from accountability in this area.

I am thankful for God’s grace and forgiveness, and I know that there are many broken-hearted people who never intended to end up divorced.  It is not my wish to bring uneccessary pain to anyone, but I think our society would greatly benefit from the understanding that divorce should not be an option, except in the cases that Christ himself allowed as exceptions.  Being unfaithful to your spouse is being unfaithful to God.  May we begin to understand and live this daily in our marriage relationships, to our own benefit and to the betterment of our culture.