The golden sun peeked through the trees as dawn gave birth to another
day. A pure white dove hovered over the dusty earth. A gentle breeze rustled
through the trees clearing the mist in its path and falling on the sleeping
man.
Aroused,
the man sat up rubbing his eyes. “Was I dreaming or were those the fingers of
God I felt touch my side?” Standing to his feet, the man nudged forward,
squinting his eyes to focus on the image before him. His dearest friend, the
Lord and Creator of the universe, stood next to the most captivating, ravishing
creature, unlike any he had ever seen. Animals of all shapes, sizes, and
varieties stood by in pairs, affirming God’s splendid creation, silent
witnesses to the most spectacular union of God’s imagination.
Entranced,
man watched as God took woman by the hand and led her down a flower-strewn path
to face him. In that moment of understanding, man said, “This is now bone of my
bones, and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken
out of Man” (Gen.2:23).
And who
gives this woman to be married to this man? “I do,” replies the clear, strong
voice of God. And thus commenced the first garden wedding recorded in history.
And
God’s message to the newly married couple?
Leave father and
mother
Notice
in Genesis 2:24 that God instructs the man to leave his parents. As head of the
home, he is ultimately responsible before God for how that home functions. He
is to respect and honor his parents (Eph.6:2), but he is no longer bound to
obey them as he was as a child. He is to set the example before his wife in
leaving parents.
Cleave to his
wife
God
instructs the man to commit to his wife. He is responsible for holding the
union together. “Cleave” has the idea of being welded together so that each
becomes a part of the other. They establish a new home with traditions, rules,
and activities that reflect their unique personality as a couple. The man is to
love and cherish his wife as Christ loves the Church while the wife is to
respect her husband’s God-given authority as head of the home (Eph.5:33).
Together they are fellow heirs of the grace of life, equal though functioning
differently within the home (1 Peter 3:7).
Become one flesh
In God’s
mysterious and thrilling design, the one flesh union between a man and a woman
best represents His image. It also best represents His relationship with His
child, one of openness, total exposure and abandonment to His purposes. Every
time a husband and wife engage in sexual intercourse, they revisit the garden
where God ordained, “And the man and his wife were both naked and were not
ashamed (Gen.2:25). As Ed Wheat says in his book Intended for Pleasure, “Adam and Eve could see each other as they
really were, without shame, disappointment, or frustration. The sexual
relationship God had designed for them brought the blessings of companionship,
unity, and delight.”
“I now
pronounce you man and wife. What I have joined together, let no man put
asunder!” declares God, the Creator and Master of the universe. “You may now
kiss your bride,” God directs the eager groom.
Fire
shines in the man’s eyes and an alluring smile crosses the woman’s lips. Their
eyes lock in passionate knowledge. Reaching for one another, their lips part
then meet in a deep and satisfying kiss, unleashing warm provocative sensations
they have never experienced before. And it is only the beginning. The animals
retreat in a knowing gesture. But God lingers to bless the union which He
created. With pleasure, He affirms the lovemaking of His precious children
within the context of the marital union.
And what
God has joined together, let no man separate!
~~
The above excerpt was adapted from Eileen's book, Journey to Judah.
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