MARRIAGE DYNAMICS (Vol. 11)
Mystery about Marriage
Marriage as a Covenant
“ But you say, ‘Why does He reject it?’ Because the Lord has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously. Yet she is your marriage companion and the wife of your covenant made by your vows” (Malachi 2:14 Amplified)
A covenantal relationship is the original idea and purpose of God for marriage. A marriage that is based on contract alone cannot work; it will lack God’s blessing and will lead to marrying a curse. The meaning of marriage is deeper than the superficial and cosmetic meanings which we have attributed to it.
Marriage is not like a poker, casino, or lottery game which you gamble with. It is like embarking on a serious journey ~a journey of destiny. A journey of no retreat and no surrender. For a marriage to be a blessing and not a curse; it must be sacrificial. This is where covenant comes in.
The word covenant conveys a deeper meaning of what marriage is all about. Any marriage that will attract God’s blessing cannot be a casual or contract marriage but a covenant marriage. Because God’s relationships always involve covenant, that is why He values covenant relationships. His relationship with mankind through Adam and Eve was of covenant. His relationship with the nations of Israel involves covenant. Also, His redemptive relationship with us through Jesus Christ includes covenant.
Covenant involves a fulfillment of an obligation undertaken by individuals.
In other words, the fulfillment of one’s obligation, promise, or agreement in the covenant is not based on whether the other person fulfills his or hers. It is an unconditional fulfillment of an obligation.