Whoso Findeth a Wife (or Husband)

“Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord.” (Proverbs 18:22, KJV).

Marriage was the first institution originated by God early in human history. When God made man in His own image, He saw that it was not good for man to be alone. He made a deep sleep fall upon Adam, from his side took a rib, and formed Eve and presented her to Adam as his companion. Adam said: “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” (Genesis 2:23). And with the next statement, the importance of marriage was established: “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife; and they shall be one flesh.” (Genesis 2:24).

Throughout the Old Testament are accounts of the man “finding a wife” because the most intimate of human relationships had the sanction and blessing of God from the beginning. In the New Testament, Jesus emphasized that marriage should be a life-time commitment. “What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” (Mark 10:9). Jesus spoke this in the context of speaking on divorce, for the Pharisees had come to Him asking a question about it. Their claim was that the law of Moses permitted divorce. Jesus explained that it was only through the hardness of men’s hearts that they sought severance of marriage vows. God’s plan is a union of one man and one woman “until death do us part.”

Courtship (“finding a wife [or husband]) and marriage are approved by God. It is intended as a beautiful and enduring relationship. And as Proverbs 18:22 teaches, whoever finds a spouse finds favor with the Lord. Christ, in seeking to relate believers to Him, likened the church as His bride. He came to earth, sought us, and made things right between man and God through His sacrifice for us. The Bridegroom (Christ) will call each of us to Heaven to dwell eternally with Him.

Take time to thank God for your marriage. He entrusted you and your spouse with the most important practical and intimate partnership on earth, family. A husband should love his wife as Christ loved the church, and a wife should also love and respect her husband. This is God’s way. (See Ephesians 5:22-25 for Paul’s admonitions concerning marriage and the home).

c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Sunday, July 18, 2010