Sharing Scripture — April 19, 2025

Texts: Genesis 2:23–25, 24:1–4; Ephesians 5:29–32; Ezekiel 16:4–14; Revelation 18:1–4, 19:1–9

Although the arranged marriages of Eastern cultures sharply contrast with Western dating and marriage practices, psychologist Mark Travers reasons that certain aspects of matchmaking carry valuable, applicable lessons which cross cultural boundaries.

One such lesson is growing the romantic bond within a supportive community. Community helps keep the lovebirds grounded, offering support, wisdom, advice, perspective, and accountability.

Pastor J.D. Greear supports this idea, writing in his blog post “The Real TLC That Every Dating Relationship Needs”, “If you end up dating and eventually marrying, that [faith] community will enrich the entire process. But even if you never marry, you’ll still experience the richness and depth of love that God designed you for.”

An additional benefit to contemporary matchmaking is that its built on compatibility, sustainability and practicality. Travers references research which reveals that relationships built on shared values and worldview, long-term goals, and emotional intelligence, as well as mutual respect, tend to flourish over time. Love grows.

However, Travers reminds his readers, people still need to have free agency in choosing their spouse. “When both partners know they chose each other – freely and willingly – it encourages deeper love, commitment and mutual appreciation.”

Essentially, Travers suggests that successful marriages are built on the sweet spot where autonomy, compatibility, and community input intersect.

Interestingly, these insights are very similar to the marriage advice we find in Scripture. But the Biblical portrayal of marriage is even more beautiful! In the very first chapter we see how God ordained the first marriage. Even though Adam and Eve didn’t have a selection of romantic partners to choose from, they were compatible and happy in each other’s presence because God created them specifically for each other.

After the fall, as people turned away from God and toward their own desires, marriage became corrupted. Outside influences from Satan were drawing couples into sin, into worshipping foreign gods. This is why Abraham, desiring a holy union for his son Isaac, asked his servant to find a wife who would share the same spiritual and cultural values. Rebecca and Isaac were subject to matchmaking – by God’s hand – and yet they truly loved each other.

Unfortunately, throughout history, as God’s people ceased seeking divine guidance and instead married/joined up based on personal passions (such as Abraham and Hagar, Jacob and Rachel, David and Bathsheba, Samson and Delilah, Ahab and Jezebel), countless issues arose!

Marriage without God is not a true marriage.

So… why does God like to be involved in marriages?

Scripture tells us that marriage presents us images of God. It presents us an image of intimacy that God desires with humanity (Ephesians 5:29-32), revealing how much God loves us. It also reveals that God is always faithful, longsuffering, and forgiving of us even when we break our vows (Ephesians 16, Hosea 3). Marriage, one of God’s first gifts to humanity, is sacred.

When we pick our spouses, are we building on the foundation of Christ, or our own desires?

 

For Reflection

Sharing: Consider the following ways marriage reflects our bond with God. What do you think about each of these? What others can you add to the list?

1. The two parties respect each other, even when differences exist
2. It’s a lasting covenant
3. Two become one – they are inseparable
4. The man represents Christ and the woman represents the church
5. The devil wages spiritual warfare against the sacred union
6. Other:

Applying: Read Genesis 24:1-4. Abraham’s request is not one stemming from racial tension, but spiritual tension. How have we let spiritual adultery corrupt our own church? How can you explain difficult passages like this to people who claim the God of the Bible is unjust?

~ Stefani Leeper

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