GRACE TO INHERIT GOD’S DESIGN FOR MARRIAGE: ONE FLESH

Scripture:

And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. Genesis 2:18. And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And 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. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed. Genesis 2:21-25

Revelation:

Good news! We can inherit grace to go “Back to the Garden” to discover God’s design and blueprint for marriage. We can inherit grace for a very good cause…for this cause…two become one flesh. We can inherit grace for oneness. In the beginning, God created male and female in the image of God. Marriage was God’s idea. To understand God’s design for marriage: one flesh, we must go back to the garden to witness the creation of man and woman, the introduction of woman to man, and man’s first reaction. We will also witness the first wedding and results as recorded in Genesis Chapter 2:

·       The first not good: that the man should be alone; man needs a help - meet or suitable for him. v18

·       The first surgery: Adam’s deep sleep, the LORD God took one of his ribs, closed up the flesh. v21

·           The first woman: The LORD God made woman (from Adam’s rib) and brought her unto the man (Adam). v22

·       Adam recognized woman as bone of his bones and flesh of his flesh – she came out of him. v23

·       The first marriage: Man named woman because she was taken out of him. v23

·       The cause of marriage: For this cause: leave and cleave; and be one flesh: Therefore, shall a man leave his father and his mother and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. v24

·       The state of marriage: and they were both naked (uncovered/open/transparent), the man and his wife, and were and not ashamed. v25

From these verses, we see God’s plan and intent for marriage: and they shall be one flesh. God planned for people to be joined together in love. Jesus confirmed this plan as recorded in Matthew: And Jesus said: Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. Matthew 19:6

Prayer:

Gracious Heavenly Father, We pray that our marriage will be all that You intended for marriage to be when You instituted the marriage union in the beginning. We pray our marriage is a Genesis 2 marriage. We are one flesh. We are naked and not ashamed. In the Name of Jesus! Amen.

Action:

·       Husbands recognize that it is not good that you should be alone. See your wife as bone of your bones, and flesh of your flesh (your own body). Recognize that your wife was taken out of you. You have given her your name, now you must leave your parents and cleave to your wife and be one flesh.

·       Wives, recognize that you came out of your husband. You are bone of his bones and flesh of his flesh. You are his rib that was taken out of him. Recognize that God bought you to your husband and he has recognized you and given you, his name. He has left his parents and is cleaving to you. Be one flesh with him. Be close to him, allow him to cleave to you. See yourself as his help. Be suitable for him. Adapt yourself to him.

·       As a couple, be open, honest, and transparent with each other and you won’t be ashamed.