Exposition:

Marriage is the oldest and one of the most important institutions in the world. It is pleasant, good and enjoyable. Marriage is the union between one man and one woman to become one flesh. From Mal 2:14, marriage is described as a holy covenant before God. Marrying according to God’s way is a sure requisite to enjoying a successful marriage.

From Genesis 2:22, God made a man and a woman to be the parties involved in a marriage. Thus, any union outside this is not marriage (gays, lesbians, heterosexuals, bisexuals etc.).

In God’s type of marriage, a man leaves his family and cleaves unto his wife and they become one flesh (Gen 2:24). Leaving and Cleaving are important steps a couple must take to build their new home. When married, the couple must leave physically and economically as well as leave friends (especially of the opposite sex). This does not mean that you cut ties with them but you forge a new relationship with them. Cleaving means “to be glued together”. God therefore demands that the couple stick closer than to their parents, friends and even children.

Genesis 2:18 clearly outlines another purpose of marriage: to mutually complete each other. That is why God said “It is not good for a man to be alone, I will make him a helper suitable for him.” In the God’s type of marriage, there is openness. God’s idea is for couples to become one flesh, so keeping secrets should not be entertained. As a Christian couple, let us reveal our feelings, thoughts, needs and fears to each other to create that openness in the marriage. Lastly, marriage is created for sex and reproduction purposes. As young people we need to understand that sex outside marriage is a sin that stunts spiritual growth and erects a barrier to true intimacy in the future.