Fresh from the Creator's hand, Eve was presented to Adam to become his wife: to be his companion, his helper, his soul-mate, his physical and spiritual partner. But by far the most important purpose for their marriage was that it should prefigure a union still to come: the union between the second Adam (YAHUSHUA the Messiah) and His future wife, the ransomed Church. It is only when we consider marriage with that thought in mind, that it is a living object lesson of the soon coming spiritual partnership between the Messiah and his Bride, that we will ever hope to understand its mysteries, appreciate its privileges and benefit from its disciplines.

Marriage, in short, was ordained by the Almighty to typify YAHUSHUA the Messiah's spiritual union with the Church, a partnership which is about to commence in the very near future and which will continue for all time. Understanding and living by this basic truth will pave the way to a happy marriage.

Sad to say the marriage union is not taken very seriously these days and marriages are being dissolved at an alarming rate. Nevertheless the Bible teaches that marriage is for life and once consummated can only be annulled by the death of one of the parties.
No matter how the attitudes of people may change or what laws earthly governments may pass, the above divine precepts are still on the statute books of heaven and society disregards them at great cost.

The Bible also gives us detailed directions as to how married couples should behave towards each other. The secret is for each partner to concentrate on the welfare and happiness of the other. This spiritual formula will, of course, only work IF it is applied by both parties. Selfishness by either party will wreck any marriage in the course of time.

Marriage is a team of equals. Their should be no dictatorial bosses and no slaves. In Genesis 2:18 we read the following words:

That word 'meet' means 'appropriate, fitting, suitable and equal.' In other words Eve was made Adam's intellectual and spiritual equal: different yes, but not inferior. Men should, therefore, not delude themselves into thinking that they are superior to women, because they are not. Likewise, women should never imagine that they are smarter than men. Both viewpoints, popular as they are these days, are totally wrong and self-destroying. When fostered and applied in a marriage, they end in sorrow and tears. The modern trend on TV is for husbands to be depicted as blundering fools constantly being put right by their smart, efficient wives. This trend is slowly brainwashing the nation's youth into thinking that this is the norm. It isn't. The truth is that in some areas men excel: in others women take the lead. This is because each sex has been divinely created with different strengths and no amount of propaganda will change that biological fact. The sexes have been designed by the Creator to play entirely different roles in every field. They complement each other and should never compete. Married couples ignore these basic facts at their peril.

The world is in disarray. Marriages are collapsing all about us. Almost every person these days knows a friend, neighbor or relative whose marriage is on the rocks. Why should this be? What has gone wrong with society? One of the main reasons given in the divorce courts is adultery. What has YaHuWaH to say about adultery? He says this:

The law that forbids adultery is one of the Ten Commandments and it is still on the statute books of Heaven. Fornication, the sexual act between an unmarried couple (even though one of the parties is married) is likened to the act of adultery. (Revelation 2:20-23) Nothing is guaranteed to destroy a marriage faster than these two acts of adultery and fornication. I urge all married couples to obey the Almighty's commandments. Failure to keep them will surely devastate a relationship; not to mention the terrible effect adultery and fornication have on the children and the awful punishment that will be meted out to the guilty on the terrible Day of Judgment.

The Bible made America great: it fortified the faith and character of its people and directed their behavior. American missionaries compassed the world and taught multiplied millions of heathen the Gospel of YAHUSHUA the Messiah and the laws of Almighty Elohim. But alas! the Holy Bible is out of favor these days in most American homes. The prophet Isaiah gives us this priceless advice about reading YaHuWaH 's word:

The Israelites were forbidden to marry Gentiles. This principle still holds good for all true believers; Messiah's followers are expressly forbidden to be unequally yoked with unbelievers.

The requirement for believers to be equally yoked (married to like-minded believers) is still binding: and most religious authorities will agree that couples who ignore this basic guideline do so at great risk.

Millions of young couples these days set up home without getting married. It's the 'in thing.' The beautiful and the famous are seen doing it: so the youth follow suit. But the point is - are these couples doing wrong? Is sex outside marriage a sin? The answer is: Yes they are doing wrong, sex outside marriage is sin. According to YaHuWaH 's Torah these couples are committing the sin of Fornication! They may think they are being 'smart,' 'with-it' and 'cool;' but they will realize on the Day of Judgement how foolish they have been.

Summary

In summary we would say that:

1. According to the Almighty it is not good for a man to be alone. That is why He designed the marriage institution: to give man a companion.
2. Marriage is a spiritual model typifying the Messiah's relationship with His church.
3. Marriage is for life and normally may only be dissolved at the death of one of the parties.
4. In marriage the husband should love his wife as Messiah loves the church: even to the point of sacrificing his life for her. The wife's part is to honor and obey her husband just as the church is expected to honor and obey Messiah.
5. Marriage is partnership of equals. It is not a competition between the sexes. Men and women have different roles to play in society and are qualified accordingly.
6. Faithfulness in a marriage is absolutely vital. Acts of adultery or fornication are devastating in their effects.
7. As a guide to a happy marriage, daily study of the Bible is recommended. Nothing builds a sense of responsibility towards one's spouse better than does Bible study.
8. Being unequally yoked with unbelievers is not wise. The Bible advises that believers should marry like-minded believers.
9. Unmarried couples living as man and wife are fornicating. If this sin is not forsaken it will, like adultery and homosexuality, exclude the couple from the kingdom of heaven.

• The Christian Family
• Adultery Fornication Homosexuality
• Divorce

May YaHuWaH 's Spirit guide you all for His Name's sake.