Theme: The Providential Work of God in the Lives of His Faithful People
Title: Marriage
Text: Genesis 24: 1 – 9 and 2 Corinthians 6: 14

 
God uses marriage to bring about the fulfillment of His program. Marriage is part of what God uses to do His work. Even though God is doing His work, we believers also have our responsibility in His work.

 
What is our responsibility?

Our responsibility is to ensure that God’s program continues to the next generation – generation after generation. God in His goodness chose to redeem man and the world. He then chose Abraham and went into an agreement (covenant) with him (see Gen 12, 15). This is because Abraham was obedient to God’s call.

 
God blessed Abraham in every way (Gen 24:1). Now that he is old, there is a need to carry on God’s work and covenant with Abraham. The first thing Abraham did was to commission one of his servants to find a wife for Isaac. It was done under an oath. This is because Abraham was serious to see that the work of God continues to the next generation.

 
Though then it was the custom that a father finds a wife for his son but it is important who the son gets married too. Marriage is a family affair. It is important that sons/daughters seek the approval of their parents before getting married to someone. It is good to encourage Christian marriages. That’s a way to continue God’s work to the next generation.

 
Jesus Christ is seeking and purifying brides for Himself. He wants us to play our role in this program. He has given us gifts to do these.

 
As believers, can we marry anyone?

Abraham was seeking for Isaac the appropriate wife that would take part in God’s agenda. Abraham knew that not every wife will take part to continue God’s program. Abraham is serious about the loyalty to the covenant. Today, it is the same. We should marry fro, the family of faith. Those who share in the blessings of Abraham. It is very important that the likelihood of a wife outside the covenant will not follow God’s agenda is very high. (2 Cor 6:14). Unequal yoking is not partnership, it is warfare. Satan can use your partner to destroy you. The next generation may also be interrupted from committing to the progress of God’s program.

 
Is God calling us to separate ourselves from unbelievers? Is it a matter of race, colour or ethnic background?

Not at all. It is more about our response to God’s redemptive program. It is more about our response to God’s grace. It is important that unmarried Christians enter into right yoking and continue the work of God unto the next generation.