The Wife of Your Youth

The Bible teaches that when a man and woman are joined in marriage, they are one flesh. The carnal and depraved mind of worldly men immediately turn their thoughts only to the physical relationship of the marriage. We must remember that God created man, male and female, as a trichotomy; body, soul, and spirit. Therefore, the marriage of the couple should bring a joining of body, soul, and spirit. The marriage bond grows over a lifetime to the greatest of joy for the couple. Jan and I were doing some shopping recently where we encountered another older couple in an argument. Both had shopping baskets, but as we passed by the conversation between them was loud and strong. There were enough colorful metaphors to make a sailor blush. I later saw where they separated in the store, each pushing empty baskets as a symbol of their relationship that day. The Old Testament prophet Malachi gave insight into the marriage. Malachi 2:13-14 “And this have ye done again, covering the altar of the LORD with tears, with weeping, and with crying out, insomuch that he (God) regardeth not the offering any more, or receiveth it with good will at your hand. Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.” Malachi is talking about God not accepting the offerings of some men who are treacherous towards their wives. God had not accepted their offerings because of the broken marriage vows or covenant. This is testament of how serious God is about the marriage relationship. Malachi 2:15 is especially important, “And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.” To put the cookies on the bottom shelf, Malachi reminds the reader that God made the initial pair, Adam and Eve, to be the parents of the people of the world. “And did not he make one (pair)?” All of us has descended from Adam and Eve. Secondly, Malachi says “Yet had he the residue of the spirit.” In other words, God had the spirit and power to create multiple pairs. God could have made as many people as He desired, yet He made only one pair. Third, Malachi teaches a great doctrinal truth here, “And wherefore one?” Again, Malachi asks the question, “Why did God make only one pair, Adam and Eve?” The answer is truly remarkable. “That he might seek a godly seed.” Adam and Eve were created in the image and likeness of God. In Genesis 2:7 “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” And with these words we see where God has made Adam a godly seed. This is testament of how much God desired to have fellowship with the man. God created the man in the image and likeness of Himself; Holy. Man had to maintain that holiness in order to be in ongoing fellowship with God as in the narrative of Genesis 3. Once man, male and female, made the choice to listen to Satan and disobey their Creator God that holiness was broken. They were no longer godly. However, God knew before He created the heavens and the earth that man would fail in the Garden of Eden. Yet He loved the man, male and female, so much that He proceeded to create and His pleasure and for His Glory, Revelation 4:11 “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” God placed so much godliness on the first pair, Adam and Eve that they were chosen to be the parents of all living. God also preserved the holy seed of Adam when Noah was on the ark. God could have destroyed everything including Noah, but God cherished the godly seed. Finally, we learn in Luke 3:23-38 the genealogy of Jesus Christ which goes back from Joseph (the supposed father of Jesus) to Adam and then God. V38 “Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God.” Knowing that all men are descendants of the first pair, the godly seed, means that we are intended to be godly. Wow, this gives me chills as to the greatness and position God has given to man. See you in church. --- Bro. Louis