Marriage is an institution of God established in Genesis chapter 2. Thus, as we consider the characteristics of marriage, we should return to Genesis 2 recognizing God's laws have not changed. We know this is a proper approach because Jesus returned to the beginning when answering the Pharisees in Matthew 19. With the Bible as our guide, what then are the elements of marriage?

        1. Marriage consists of love and submission. Turn in your Bible to Ephesians 5:22ff and you will find that the wife is to be in subjection to her husband (5:22). Moreover, you will find that husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved the church (5:25), and as they love their own bodies (5:28).

        2. Marriage consists of the intention to live together in harmony with God's law. Jesus recalled Genesis 2 when he said, “and the two shall become one flesh” (Matthew 19:5). This reference refers to a relationship that is “one” not only sexually, but also in purpose, in mind and in spirit. It describes a “common bond” that results in a special union of sharing all of life together. To marry only for financial gain or for a few moments of pleasure (and then end the marriage when desired) is not to fulfill God's purpose in establishing marriage.

        3. Marriage consists of compliance with the customs and mores (proper ceremony, etc.) of the society where the union is formed. As history is studied it is difficult to find a society where absolutely no form of ceremony is required. Even though the law of Moses contained no requirements as to a formal marriage ceremony, there is much information that reveals elaborate agreements and ceremonies observed by the Jews under the law. We know some form of formality was required by Jesus' statement to the Samaritan woman in John 4:18. Jesus said, “for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband.” She had been married to five different men, but she now lived with a man without meeting the requirements of society. In other words, she had met the requirements of society five times, but not with this sixth man. This is why Jesus said that the man she was living with was not her husband. This account also teaches us that mere “living together” does not mean marriage. The Samaritan woman was living with a man, but Jesus did not consider them married. Another example is Joseph and Mary. Joseph is told to take Mary as his wife, which he did, but he “knew her not” (had no sexual relations) until after Jesus was born. (Matthew 1:25). Clearly, Joseph and Mary were married and were married for several months before there was a sexual union.
                                                                                                   --Larry Sweeney

    Hope you have a great week! By the way, here is the definition of a “bad week” that was seen in a bulletin announcement: “(Female name) hurt her knee, which had been scheduled for surgery. She was being chased by a skunk.”