Why did God create marriage?

Marriage is not a social construct. Marriage did not originate in the mind of people. It came from God. Any attack upon marriage is an attack upon God. My wife and I have been married for 31 years. Our children are 22, 21, 16 and 9. They are old enough to be helpful!

Why did God create marriage? God made marriage for four basic reasons. First, marriage is a partnership. In Genesis 2:18 God said, “It is not good for the man (Adam) to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.” Sometimes we say, “In terms of my life, marrying my husband/wife was the greatest thing that ever happened to me.”

Second, marriage is for procreation. God commands us, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth” (Genesis 9:1). Children are a blessing!

Third, marriage is for pleasure. Song of Solomon is not an allegory in the Bible. It is not about Christ’s love for the church. It is about Solomon and his wife and intimacy and adjustments and oneness. It is about the physical relationship in marriage. God is good to His people!

Fourth, perhaps most importantly marriage is a picture. In Ephesians 5 the apostle Paul is addressing marriage. Verse 32 says, “This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.” God gave marriage to illustrate the gospel. A godly husband plays the role of Jesus. Jesus came to give His life for us. He died on the cross for our sins. A godly wife plays the role of the church. We follow Jesus everywhere. People should see our dynamic marriages and be attracted to the gospel.

Every husband should love his wife as Christ loves the church (Ephesians 5:25) We should also love our wives as we love our own bodies (Ephesians 5:28). A wife’s top priorities are loving her husband and loving her children (Titus 2:4).

Unfortunately, there are many threats to marriage today. Barreling at us is the Equality Act. The Alaska Family Council reports that the Equality Act would punish religious employers, like Christian schools, if they don’t hire LGBT staff. It allows men who identify as women to participate in women’s sports. It opens up women’s shelters, bathrooms, changing areas and showers to the opposite sex. It forces doctors to remove healthy body parts from those who want gender reassignment surgery. The battle is raging.

How should we respond? First, we should model godly marriages in our personal lives. We must work hard and obey God’s Word and strengthen our marriages. Values are more caught than taught by others!

Second, we must stand firm against Satan’s attacks upon marriage. Like a sentinel or a soldier we must stand for the truth.

Third, let’s be reminded of our future victory. Revelation is the end of the story. Jesus returns in power and glory. The marriage supper of the Lamb is certain. Christ wins! Let’s celebrate marriage today.

Ethan Hansen is a pastor at Faith Bible Fellowship in Big Lake.