The Father's Menu
Apostle Dr. Richard Udoh
Thursday, October 13, 2022
MARRIAGE IS A COVENANT
“It will rescue you from a forbidden woman, from a stranger with her flattering talk, who abandons the companion of her youth and forgets the covenant of her God;”
Malachi 2:14
Main Text: Proverbs 2:16-17
A covenant is a legally binding treaty, alliance or friendship between individuals and friends. Marriage being a sacred covenant serves as the prism through which God reveals His Covenant relationship with His people and the church. Marriage isn’t a contract as the world have made us believe. Contracts are made for a stipulated period, while covenants are forever. Covenants are established by making an oath—an oath that creates kinship between the two who are making the covenant.
Marriage is a covenant and not a contract. Marriage is intended to be commitment to which we maintain trust and fidelity until separated by death. In a covenant, we put the needs of the relationship ahead of our own needs, humbly serving each other much as Christ serves the church.
Contracts downplay forgiveness; covenants emphasize forgiveness. In a covenant, we enter the agreement realizing we are marrying a sinner, just as God’s covenant of salvation is with us as a sinner. Thus, viewing marriage as a covenant entails the forgiveness of sin when your spouse fails you. While a covenant marriage does not give an irresponsible spouse free reign for unfaithfulness and violent behavior, it does mean that we are prepared to forgive each other of the hurt feelings and offenses that are common to even the best marriages.
Prayer
ABBA help me and my partner grow in Your Wisdom about what your plan for our union is in Jesus name.
Further Reading
Malachi 2:16 “For the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I hate divorce and marital separation and him who covers his garment [his wife] with violence. Therefore keep a watch upon your spirit [that it may be controlled by My Spirit], that you deal not treacherously and faithlessly [with your marriage mate].”
Mark 10:9 “What therefore God has united (joined together), let not man separate or divide.”
Read through the Bible in 1 year: Jeremiah 22:1-23:20, 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12 Psalm 83:1-18 Proverbs 25:11-14
Read through the Bible in 2 years: Catch up day & Ps 100
