Covenant Marriage

This article may not be the most profound one ever written on marriage, but sometimes the simplest things are the most memorable. Jesus used simple illustrations in His teaching to present profound truths. He spoke of flowers, fish, seeds, soil, birds, and even bread to convey sublime realities.

In the life and ministry of Elisha the prophet was a needy widow who came to trust in the Lord’s provision. This account of the believing widow can encourage and motivate widows today to bring their needs to God in prayer, obey His Word, and trust Him to abundantly provide from His vast treasures.

The Word of God gives many examples of marriages from which can be drawn helpful practical lessons. The first couple in Scripture is, obviously, Adam and Eve! In a unique and special way, their marriage was truly a “match made in heaven.” Eve was created from Adam’s rib and made especially for him!

One family dynamic that is often completely forgotten or neglected during the crucial time of courtship and marriage preparation is the siblings! The siblings of both the prospective bride and the groom ought to be considered in the ceremony and the integration of the couple into new family interactions.

One particular hymn that pictures the marriage of Christ and His Bride is the timeless and eloquent poem “The Sands of Time Are Sinking” by Anne R. Cousin. The hymn text is deeply rooted in the writings and life experiences of the Scottish preacher Samuel Rutherford. Although only four stanzas usually appear in modern hymnals, the original poem contained nineteen stanzas!

In Luke’s Gospel is the account of the raising of the widow’s son at Nain. This event is recorded only in the Gospel of Luke. It is remarkable in that it is the very first time recorded in the Gospels that Jesus raised the dead. The location connected the Lord Jesus with the ministry of Elisha centuries earlier and resulted in the amazement of the people saying, “A great prophet is risen up among us” (Luke 7:16).

The chapter on love in I Corinthians 13 is a foundational chapter for every Christian marriage. The practical questions that follow are drawn from our detailed articles on this passage over the past months. May they stimulate consideration and discussion between you and your spouse that will encourage and strengthen your marriage.

What is the most important quality to find in a potential husband? Some look for confidence in leadership. Others want a man with independence and financial stability. Still others are waiting for a young gentleman with a handsome face, strong body, and a willingness to work hard. All of these things are good, but the most important quality of all is that a young man is teachable.

Solomon said of the springtime, “The time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land." Throughout the Bible, just as the Lord points to the ant to teach diligence, the coney to teach trust, and the lion to teach courage, on several occasions He also points to the birds to teach lessons of faithful marriage and loving parenthood. Let’s consider a few noteworthy examples.

In the biography of the prophet Elijah is found the record of a widow in the Phoenician village of Zarephath. The Lord used this woman in an important way to shelter His prophet during a time of drought and danger. There are several vital lessons that widows today can learn from her life and testimony.

When prophecies fail, love remains. When tongues cease, love remains. When knowledge fades, love remains. Paul was not speaking ill of any of these other things! But he elevated love—true Biblical love, covenant love—as higher and greater than all because it “never faileth.”

Many young men foolishly seek a young woman who has the will to, as some might say, “stand on her own feet” and “assert her own opinions.” The poor lad often realizes too late that he has married a lass who has cultivated attitudes of stubbornness, selfishness, and rebellion. Thus, she is often unwilling to practice the discipline of Biblical submission.

One of the great American patriot heroes of 1776 was Henry Knox. In the early days of that important year, he led a bold expedition to bring heavy artillery from Fort Ticonderoga in northern New York to relieve the siege of Boston, Massachusetts.

Water, living water, is a picture of life, purity, nourishment, and joy throughout the Scriptures. When God made the world, He filled it and beautified it with springs, creeks, rivers, and lakes. Is it not fitting that the Lord Himself draws important analogies between the purity of marriage and the blessings of water?

In the Book of Proverbs, we are warned over and over again about the lurking dangers of the “strange woman.” Only by recognizing her wiles can a Godly man seek to guard his heart and protect his marriage. This topic is especially for the benefit of men who are married but who may be a target of a strange woman.

Endurance enables us to keep on abiding, even when we are underneath the crushing weight of troubles that life may bring. In the context of marriage, endurance is that quality that allows the marriage to stand strong “for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health.”

Couples who plan a honeymoon thoughtfully and wisely will be able to look back on those early days together with fond memories. The honeymoon is the set-aside time when physical intimacy can be cultivated, mutual trust can be built, and patterns of love, companionship, and respect are formed. This important foundation can then be strengthened and nurtured in days to come. Truly, if carefully planned, a honeymoon can last a lifetime!

Today, whenever a bride selects her wedding dress, these considerations from Scripture regarding the symbolism in the ceremony and the bridal attire should be carefully thought through. For a Christian couple, the choices made in their marriage ceremony and attire will reflect their desire to glorify God, honor marriage, and portray the radiant purity and value of Christ’s love for His Bride and His Bride’s love for Him.

We have previously considered some of the devastating spiritual and emotional consequences of divorce, not only upon the divorced couple themselves but also upon their children and grandchildren. Sin wrecks everything it touches, and unfaithfulness to the marriage covenant reaps natural, as well as spiritual, consequences. One of the overlooked consequences of divorce can be seen in its devastating financial effects upon a family.

The fourteenth description of covenant love in I Corinthians 13 is that charity “hopeth all things” (verse 7). Hope is one of those Christian virtues that is often overlooked in the context of marriage. Many books have been written on the topics of faith, love, forgiveness, mercy, and grace. But hope is one of the keys to a bright and victorious marriage. What is hope? No need to wonder what hope is as God has given His own definition of hope in His Holy Word.