A man is to leave the love and care of his father and mother for the better relationship of his own marriage, to "hold fast" or "cleave" to his wife. The man prepared to leave the teaching, care, and nourishment of his mother and father to find one better than the two of them combined, to become "one flesh" with his wife. Adam and Eve were not independent but rather dependent upon one another. Notice how they were always working side by side and coming together as husband and wife.
Erick wrote; "Certainly, on your wedding day, when you saw your fiancé for the first time coming towards you in all her beauty, your heart was pounding, your lips were quivering, your knees were shaking, and your voice was trembling. OK, so I just described myself on our wedding day! But I’m sure that it was just as exciting for you and your spouse as it was for Sylvia and me! I mean, that’s the reason we were getting married, right? We couldn’t or didn’t want to live without each other? We were in love, and our love for each other wanted to make a commitment for life. And when Sylvia turned the corner, being led by her father, I saw a beautiful woman in "all her radiance," glowing, the most beautiful woman I had ever seen."
This is how marriage was designed in the beginning. Two becoming "one flesh" in the sexual union and in everything they do. In marriage, the one couple is not alone. Married couples are not alone in joy or sorrow. When one hurts, you both hurt in this precious union called marriage. Why and how is marriage inseparable?
First, God created it to be so as he put the man to sleep and created a woman (Genesis 2:22).
Secondly, he was the One who joined them together (Genesis 2:22).
Finally, Jesus said that what God has joined together let man not separate (Matthew 19:6).
Question 4. Have you experienced anything in your marriage that has tried to bring division or divide your union? Please share.
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We too often see couples who build their lives around their children because they didn’t realize the ‘one flesh’ inseparable union they had with their spouse, and when the children moved out the couples separated or divorced?
I will never forget when Erick and I got married I was never so excited to have his name and become one with him. I felt secure in his strength and protection as his bride, just as Christ looks over His bride, the Church, that he loves, cherishes, and protects.
Therefore, children should not affect your ‘one flesh’ union but rather enhance it, as they are the fruit of your sexual union, two coming together to produce the fruit of family. The two of you are an "impermeable barrier." It is the two of you that make up the marital union, and the two of you will be together when the children are ready to leave the nest (if you have them). It is two against the entire world if necessary (ie: careers, hobbies, toys, etc.), and it's two joined together, not plus in-laws, parents, siblings, or others, etc.. It is very important to understand that we are not loving family members or anyone any less, but loving our spouse and protecting the marriage above all other relationships.
Marriage is a profound mystery that refers to Christ and the church, the way Jesus loves the church and is joined to her as one in spirit. Have you seen marriage in this way, that the sexual union of intimacy refers to the spiritual union we have with Christ? Consider this incredible passage.
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church." Ephesians 5:31-32
Marriage is a temporary earthly union that refers to the spiritual, powerful, and everlasting union we have with Jesus Christ through his death on the cross and his resurrection on the third day.
Question 5. Have you ever seen your spiritual union in Christ like this before, that is, how your marriage refers to Christ and the church? Please share.
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