Garden of the Gods, Manitou Springs, Colorado
I have to wonder:
What would couples from the Bible have to say if they were able to give us marital advice?
Here is what I imagine some of them might say, if they had the opportunity. Got any more suggestions?
Adam & Eve“Your relationship with God must guide your relationship with each other.”Husband and wife are to balance each other out, not to blindly ignore mistakes and bad decisions. Adam was not deceived by the serpent like Eve was. (1Ti 2:14) He knew it was wrong to eat of the fruit.
Why didn’t he stop her? Why did he eat?
Intellectual laziness? Refusal to lead? Disrespect for God? Desire to please Eve? Adam bears the brunt of bringing sin into the world, not Eve, because of his deliberate disobedience and failure to lead.
Abraham & Sarah“Honor and leadership go together”1Pe 3:5,6 Sarah honored Abraham's position as leader
Gen 18:19 God acknowledged Abraham's effectiveness as a leader of his household.
I believe that Sarah’s honor gave Abraham encouragement in his leadership.
Were they human? Certainly. Abraham twice lied about his relationship with Sarah, Sarah in particular stumbled at the idea of having a child in her old age, and their idea of helping God out with Hagar and the birth of Ishmael still plagues the Jews today in their strife with the Arabs, descendants of Ishmael. (Don't misunderstand me; God loves those of all races and desires their salvation). Primarily, though, Abraham and Sarah are remembered for their faith and for their faithfulness. I believe that their relationship with each other played a large role in making that possible.
Isaac and Rebekah“God can be trusted to make wise choices for us. We cannot be trusted to make wise choices on our own.”Abraham’s servant, possibly Eliezar, found Rebekah, through his faith and prayer to God. Isaac himself was meditating in the field when they returned. The result? Gen 24:67 Isaac loved Rebekah.
So far so good. All was not ideal later on. Isaac and Rebekah seemed to have drifted apart after Jacob and Esau were born. Isaac’s favorite son was Esau, Rebekah’s was Jacob. Jacob turned out to be the godly one favored of God, but God could have served His purposes without Rebekah and Jacob’s scheming and lying.
Jacob and Rachel“ Someone good is worth working for”Gen 29:20 And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her.
Then, because of Laban’s deceit, he ended up working another seven years for her. Can any of us claim that kind of dedication to our partner?
Boaz & Ruth“Love for a mother-in-law is a good indication of character”Rth 2:11,12
Respect your partner’s family; it is a strong part of his/her identity.
There is no need to be blind to their shortcomings, but your spouse’s family is now your family; love them accordingly.
Joseph & Mary“God’s favor is far more important than a good reputation”Mat 1:18-20
Joseph is rightly praised for his care and loyalty to Mary. She had done no wrong, but she was whispered about and scorned as being guilty of fornication. Jesus himself was derided as being illegitimate. We know little more about Joseph, but he is highly respected for exemplifying the heart of a servant.
Ananias & Sapphira,
who in Acts 5 agreed to withold part of their land money and to lie about it to the apostles.
“Agreement to do wrong only makes you twice as wrong”Job & his wife
She called on him to curse God and die at the lowest point in his life. Job 2:7-10
“ Never call a situation hopeless. Be there for your partner in time of need.”Aquila & Priscilla,
Paul’s fellow tentmakers and helpers in the Gospel
“Two can work as one”There are five references to this couple in the New Testament, three of which are found in Acts 18. Every single time, they are both named together in the same verse. How's that for working together?
Do you have more quotes to add from these couples or others in the Bible?
Comments (2)
thanks for sharing this.
Hi Allen! Good words from you. Even the patriarchs had their ups and downs in marriage. One cannot look at a good marriage without realizing how vital balancing strengths and weakness are important along with understanding and following God's standard.
Sam