Malachi 2:14 (KJV): 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.

ABSTRACT

Marriage is a sacred covenant designed by God to reflect His eternal love and faithfulness, calling spouses to unity, fidelity, and selfless devotion. Scripture affirms its permanence (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:6) and warns against treachery (Malachi 2:16). Though divorce exists as a concession, reconciliation mirrors God’s redemptive grace (1 Corinthians 7:10–11; Hosea 2:14–15). Marriage further symbolizes Christ’s union with His church (Ephesians 5:25), making vows solemn commitments before God (Ecclesiastes 5:4–5). Inspired writings emphasize its sanctity, restoration, and harmony, urging believers to cherish marriage as a divine witness of covenant love that strengthens families, church, and society in preparation for Christ’s return.

MARRIAGE: A SACRED BOND BY GOD

Marriage stands as a divine covenant, established by God to mirror His unwavering love and eternal commitment toward us. This sacred union calls us to fidelity, reconciliation, and selfless devotion, reflecting the profound spiritual truths embedded in Scripture and illuminated by the inspired writings of Ellen G. White. Genesis 2:24 proclaims, “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh,” underscoring the inseparable oneness God intends for spouses. Similarly, Proverbs 5:18 urges, “Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.” Christ came not to destroy this institution, but to restore it to its original sanctity and elevation, as the inspired pen reveals: “He came to restore the moral image of God in man, and He began His work by sanctioning the marriage relation” (The Adventist Home, p. 99, 1952). In Patriarchs and Prophets, a passage reminds us of the original design: “… with sanctity and beauty; but these directions were forgotten, and marriage was perverted and made to minister to passion” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 101, 1890). Upholding these principles strengthens our families and communities, fostering harmony that echoes heaven’s design. How does Scripture further affirm the lifelong nature of this bond?

SANCTITY OF MARRIAGE

The Bible consistently upholds marriage as a lifelong union. Matthew 19:9 declares, “Whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.” This verse reaffirms that remarriage, while a spouse is alive, contradicts God’s plan. Paul, in Romans 7:2-3, mirrors this teaching, explaining that a woman is bound to her husband “as long as he liveth.” Marriage, therefore, is not merely a legal agreement but a spiritual bond meant to endure until death. Malachi 2:16 warns, “For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.” Ecclesiastes 9:9 adds, “Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun.” Through inspired counsel, we are told, “… and sanctity of the marriage relation instituted in Eden to be kept sacred, elevated, is brought down to administer to lust” (Testimonies on Sexual Behavior, Adultery, and Divorce, p. 92, 1989). A prophetic voice once wrote, “… the sanctity of the marriage commitment even in the face of extremely difficult circumstances” (Testimonies on Sexual Behavior, Adultery, and Divorce, p. 54, 1989). These truths compel us to cherish marriage’s enduring holiness, guarding it against worldly erosion. Are we, as a community, truly honoring this sacred commitment in our daily lives?

DIVORCE AND RECONCILIATION

While divorce exists as a concession to human weakness, it is not God’s ideal. In 1 Corinthians 7:10-11, Paul advises, “Let not the wife depart from her husband: but and if she depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband.” This echoes Christ’s teaching in Matthew 19:9, where He permits divorce only in cases of fornication. Hosea 2:14-15 illustrates God’s redemptive pursuit: “Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her. And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt.” Likewise, Joel 2:25 promises restoration: “And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.” Sr. White highlights reconciliation’s power, noting, “There is only one sin, which is adultery, which can place the husband or wife in a position where they can be free from the marriage vow in the sight of God” (Testimonies on Sexual Behavior, Adultery, and Divorce, p. 11, 1977). In a passage from The Signs of the Times, we read, “The spirit of forgiveness will lead hearts estranged to blend once more in love and unity” (The Signs of the Times, March 7, 1900). God’s grace invites us to pursue healing over separation, embodying His merciful heart in our unions. In our fast-paced world, are we prioritizing restoration over hasty dissolution?

MARRIAGE AS A REFLECTION OF GOD’S LOVE

Marriage symbolizes the union between Christ and His church. Ephesians 5:25 calls husbands to “love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.” This divine parallel elevates marriage beyond a personal relationship to a sacred representation of God’s love. Colossians 3:19 instructs, “Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.” 1 Peter 3:7 exhorts, “Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.” In The Adventist Home, Sr. White captures this beautifully: “God has ordained that there should be perfect love and harmony between those who enter into the marriage relation” (The Adventist Home, p. 103, 1952). Through thematic insight, inspired writings affirm, “If both love God supremely, they will love each other in the Lord, ever treating each other courteously, drawing in even cords” (The Adventist Home, p. 95, 1952). This symbolism urges us to infuse our marriages with Christ’s sacrificial devotion, transforming ordinary homes into testimonies of divine affection. Do our relationships truly mirror the boundless, forgiving love Christ extends to us?

THE WEIGHT OF VOWS

In Deuteronomy 23:21-22, the Bible stresses the seriousness of vows: “When thou shalt vow a vow unto the Lord thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it.” Marriage vows, spoken before God, bind individuals to a lifelong commitment. These vows are not to be taken lightly. Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 emphasizes, “When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.” Numbers 30:2 reinforces, “If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.” A role-based attribution from Sr. White advises, “It should henceforth be the life study of both husband and wife how to avoid everything that creates contention and to keep unbroken the marriage vows” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 122, 1882). In literary form, The Adventist Home declares, “Nothing but the violation of the marriage bed can either break or annul the marriage vow” (The Adventist Home, p. 341, 1952). Honoring these solemn promises aligns our lives with God’s trustworthy character, building unshakeable foundations for our families. As we reflect on these bindings, how can we better equip couples to embrace their vows with enduring resolve?

HOW DO THESE CONCEPTS REFLECT GOD’S LOVE?

God’s design for marriage reflects His unwavering love and commitment to us. The binding nature of marriage mirrors His eternal covenant with His people. Hosea 2:19-20 betroths us eternally: “And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies. I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the LORD.” Song of Solomon 8:6-7 extols love’s strength: “Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned.” Sr. White explains this restoration: “In the marriage relation, Christ sought to restore the purity and sanctity of Eden” (The Adventist Home, p. 340, 1952). Thematic counsel adds, “Remember, my dear brother and sister, that God is love and that by His grace you can succeed in making each other happy, as in your marriage pledge you promised to do” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 7, p. 49, 1902). These elements reveal God’s patient, redemptive affection, inspiring us to live out covenant faithfulness daily. How might these truths shape our communal witness to divine love?

APPLICATION TO CHURCH AND SOCIETY

The principles of marriage and divorce have profound implications for the church and society. In a culture that often prioritizes personal fulfillment over commitment, the biblical model challenges us to uphold higher standards. Hebrews 13:4 honors marriage: “Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.” 1 Timothy 5:14 guides younger women: “I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.” In Fundamentals of Christian Education, Sr. White addresses societal ties: “… the church. A young man who enjoys the society and wins the friendship of a young lady unbeknown to her parents, does not act a noble Christian part toward her …” (Fundamentals of Christian Education, p. 101, 1923). A passage from The Review and Herald echoes, “… the church. A young man who enjoys the society and wins the friendship of a young lady unbeknown to her parents, does not act a noble Christian part toward her …” (The Review and Herald, January 26, 1886). As a community, we must champion these ideals through support and example, fortifying families against cultural tides. In conclusion, marriage transcends personal ties; it vividly portrays God’s covenant embrace. By safeguarding its purity, we draw nearer to Him and radiate His transformative love amid a fractured world. Let us pledge to embody these truths in our homes, congregations, and beyond.

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SELF-REFLECTION

How can I, in my personal devotional life, delve deeper into these truths on marriage’s sanctity, allowing them to shape my commitments and priorities?

How can we adapt these scriptural principles on covenant love to resonate with diverse audiences, from long-time members to newcomers from varied backgrounds, while preserving doctrinal integrity?

What prevalent misunderstandings about divorce and remarriage persist in our circles, and how might I address them compassionately through Bible study and Sr. White’s insights?

In practical terms, how can our congregations and personal lives become radiant examples of God’s faithful love, actively nurturing marriages as beacons of hope for His imminent return?