I used to believe that marriage was for established people. I thought you went to college, found a career, reached the pinnacle and THEN “settled down” and had a family. Most of this, more than likely, came from the media. The line of thinking where your wedding must be extravagant, beautiful and the envy of the town. Every aspect of life must be able to be perfectly curated and Instagram-ready. Except, this is not biblical.
Marriage in the Bible is a covenant, therefore it is an agreement. I would also venture to say it is a partnership.
Merriam-Webster defines partner as “one associated with another, especially in an action”. The Lord God gave Adam and Eve an action to be performed as a unit.
“So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
Genesis 1:27-28 NKJV
This charge is God’s original intention for man and woman before sin entered the picture.
It is important to recognize that God created male and female and gave them their collective charge before the fall of man. This means that the fall of man cannot supersede it, because it existed beforehand.
The direction given by God to both genders cannot be accomplished without unity. We know this because God is very intentional and he would’ve addressed the man by himself or vice versa.
In Genesis 2, The Lord God formed Adam from the dust, placed him inside the garden and gave him a charge by his lonesome. I believe this is because the woman is to be a help meet and she can’t help a man without a plan.
“…but for Adam there was not found a helper meet (suitable, adapted, complementary) for him.”
Genesis 2:20 AMPC
This verse can save a lot of dating woes. Are we complementary? Am I suitable for this man’s life? Opposites may attract but the Word is clearly saying our spouse must be of like-kind.
What is the purpose of a help meet? To add value.
“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up. Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one be warm alone?”
Ecclesiastes 4:9-11 AMPC
A wife adds value and accelerates purpose for her husband. The Word says that two are better “more excellently or effectively” than one because they have a good, or superior, reward for their labor.
People can do the journey of life alone but it is more effective and superior if you have someone by your side.
ALIAH KIMBRO
When a husband falls, his wife will lift him up. Thus making it of even more importance that she is suitable for him and capable herself. A useless wife is like being alone, you will have no one to help you up.
The scripture goes on to say in verse 12, “Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”
Life will come and beat you up; a situation may completely overwhelm one individual but two people can stand rooted together in truth and solidarity.
The threefold cord is the husband, wife and Christ.
I say this to say, marriage is for living. It is not something we do at the end of the building. Marriage is not simply for companionship but it is for purpose.
Marriage is an example in the earth of Christ and His bride. His bride loves and longs for Him. He protects and provides for her. He loves her fiercely and she gives Him the utmost respect. It is a safe haven and most sacred place.