Are you married? How did you prepare for your wedding? More importantly, how did you prepare for marriage? Do you ever wish that you were better prepared for marriage in the beginning?
In the wedding ceremony the minister traditionally says something along these lines: "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD and these witnesses...." Have you ever thought much about that? Does God really concern Himself with our marriages? Of course He does! In fact, humans and human relationships were on God's mind as far back as the creation.
Human beings alone among God's creation are created "in His image". This statement by God implies that God created us in His spiritual likeness, mirroring His distinctive character traits. With a desire to emulate our Creator planted in our hearts, we will only find our greatest enjoyment in a personal relationship with Him that transforms us into His likeness.
In an interesting application of this principle, Jesus was tested concerning His allegiance to God or Caesar. In Matthew 22:21 Jesus answered, "Therefore, give back to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." In other words, if Caesar's image was stamped on something, he had a right to dictate how it was used. We have similar laws concerning how United States currency is handled. If God's image is stamped on us from creation, He has the right to use us however He chooses, and to dictate to us His guidelines for living.
Scripture states that humans were created by God "male and female", distinct genders that although different in many ways, relate to one another and indeed complement each other. When we try to change this arrangement of distinction and relation, we violate His guidelines and the very created order. Chaos and destruction are the inevitable result. It cannot work successfully unless we follow the Creator's guideline.
When God created man He realized that man was not as fulfilled alone as he could be with a companion. This is the first thing that God recognized in His creation as being "not good". It was not good for man to be alone. I personally agree wholeheartedly with that! God created a suitable helper for the man that was like him and yet distinct from him. I love to imagine the moment when God brought the woman to present her to the man. While the man was in a deep sleep God removed a rib from him, and fashioned this incredible creature. when the man had awakened, God brought her and presented man with this gift to be treasured.
God gave special attention to the creation of the man and the woman, placed them together, and blessed their relationship. He intends that relationship to be sacred. May we realize that we live together in our marriages "In the Presence of God", and that He has a perfect plan for making them work successfully.
BSFL Sunday School commentary for the week of May 2, 2010
"In the Presence of God" Genesis 1,2
Are you married? How did you prepare for your wedding? More importantly, how did you prepare for marriage? Do you ever wish that you were better prepared for marriage in the beginning?
In the wedding ceremony the minister traditionally says something along these lines: "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD and these witnesses...." Have you ever thought much about that? Does God really concern Himself with our marriages? Of course He does! In fact, humans and human relationships were on God's mind as far back as the creation.
Human beings alone among God's creation are created "in His image". This statement by God implies that God created us in His spiritual likeness, mirroring His distinctive character traits. With a desire to emulate our Creator planted in our hearts, we will only find our greatest enjoyment in a personal relationship with Him that transforms us into His likeness.
In an interesting application of this principle, Jesus was tested concerning His allegiance to God or Caesar. In Matthew 22:21 Jesus answered, "Therefore, give back to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." In other words, if Caesar's image was stamped on something, he had a right to dictate how it was used. We have similar laws concerning how United States currency is handled. If God's image is stamped on us from creation, He has the right to use us however He chooses, and to dictate to us His guidelines for living.
Scripture states that humans were created by God "male and female", distinct genders that although different in many ways, relate to one another and indeed complement each other. When we try to change this arrangement of distinction and relation, we violate His guidelines and the very created order. Chaos and destruction are the inevitable result. It cannot work successfully unless we follow the Creator's guideline.
When God created man He realized that man was not as fulfilled alone as he could be with a companion. This is the first thing that God recognized in His creation as being "not good". It was not good for man to be alone. I personally agree wholeheartedly with that! God created a suitable helper for the man that was like him and yet distinct from him. I love to imagine the moment when God brought the woman to present her to the man. While the man was in a deep sleep God removed a rib from him, and fashioned this incredible creature. when the man had awakened, God brought her and presented man with this gift to be treasured.
God gave special attention to the creation of the man and the woman, placed them together, and blessed their relationship. He intends that relationship to be sacred. May we realize that we live together in our marriages "In the Presence of God", and that He has a perfect plan for making them work successfully.