Why Marriage?

Does this question seem idiotic? Marriage is such an intrinsic part of life.

But … why marriage? Why marriage? Why did God create the concept? He didn’t have to. He doesn’t call everyone to be married. He could have accomplished everything he wanted without designing a commitment between one man and one woman.

As we study the answers to such an unusual question, we will find deep reasons revealing God’s perfect commitment to us—the body of Christ. The answers hold far more significance than we can imagine and are applicable for every Christian, whether or not the person is married. You won’t be disappointed. After all, you are his Bride, and he is your Bridegroom.

That is the introduction in Lesson 1 of my women’s Bible study, God’s Heart for Your Marriage. In the title, I specifically worded it referring to the heart God has for your marriage. He is “for” you and your husband—your marriage. He wants to empower your marriage to be successful because he loves you and he will be glorified through the success of your marriage.

To go along with that concept, here’s the commentary for the question applying Ephesians 5:25-32. Here’s the passage.

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. (Ephesians 5:25-32 ESV)

6. Read Ephesians 5:25-32. What are the husband’s instructions and how are his responses to his wife supposed to represent the Bride’s love for her Bridegroom?

From these passages in Ephesians 5, we learn the two different commands indicating how the church (representing every individual believer) is to respond to God.

God created men to most value respect and God created women to most value love. TWEET THAT!!!!!

The two different commands point to God’s commands to his church: respect and love God.

Respecting God results in obeying him. Respect and “fear of the Lord” (Acts 9:31) should cause everyone to be in awe of his authority and control. Even though people reject him doesn’t shrivel his sovereignty.

Respect for God also stems from recognizing his perfect character qualities including kindness, wisdom, joy, generosity, excellence, and a long list of everything good. Obeying such a wonderful, loving God, who deserves respect and appreciation, should be easier. No husband can have perfect qualities but if he did, his wife should have no trouble respecting him.

When we disobey God, we are saying we find fault in him. He doesn’t want the best for us. Jesus had no trouble obeying his Father because he knew only good would come from it. Jesus said, “For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me” (John 6:38).

He also connected love with obedience. “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments” (I John 5:2).

Marriage is both a representation of the relationship between God and his people and God’s example how to love. Unbelievers can see what is gained by respecting and loving God.

What do you think about these ideas? Are any of them meaningful to you? Why do you think God included marriage in his plan when he didn’t have to?