My wife and I were on a sightseeing walk in Washington D. C. on a hot and humid day. Street vendors were doing a brisk business selling bottles of water and soda to thirsty tourists. We had covered a lot of territory that morning, walking through the Capitol Mall to the Lincoln Memorial and viewing other points of interest, before our journey took us past the White House, the Ford Theater and the house just across the street where President Lincoln died. But by early afternoon one desire alone dominated our thoughts we were hot and tired and longed for a quiet, cool place to get away from the heat, bustle and noise of the city. Thankfully, we found just such an “oasis” in an air conditioned little deli near the White House. The time we spent together in that haven was more enjoyable than all the interesting sights we had seen on our walk.
For both partners, marriage ought to provide a similar rest and joy in the midst of a restless, morally defiled world. There are many pressing issues which rightfully require our daily attention. But our marriage union ought to be like the ark a haven where, at the end of a long, difficult and trying day, both husband and wife take time to enjoy love, peace and rest with each other and the Lord.
In Adam and Eve’s day, God had walked in Eden in the “cool of the day” seeking their fellowship. But by Noah’s time, the sin which caused Adam and Eve to hide from God had so ruined the world that He destroyed it by the flood. In that judged, post-flood world there was corruption found to satisfy the appetite of the unclean raven. But the clean little dove could find no rest apart from the ark’s peaceful, pure and safe sanctuary.
Partners in Christian marriages must constantly and diligently guard against the temptation to use the habits of the “present evil world” to feed and bring satisfaction to their union. Both husband and wife must daily and diligently maintain their marriage in purity and the fear of God. Tasting the freely available, morally corrupt food the world feeds on its perverted passions, lifestyles and habits will quickly defile the God-given natural delights of marriage.
There exists a great quagmire of moral filth, eagerly consumed by a godless world excused as being romantic excitement carried on apart from God’s pure and holy institution of marriage. The habits and manners of those who, like the raven, willingly feed on such moral degradation can twist and taint the purity and delight which God intends to be fully enjoyed in marriage (Prov. 5:1919Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love. (Proverbs 5:19); Song of Sol. 5:10-1610My beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand. 11His head is as the most fine gold, his locks are bushy, and black as a raven. 12His eyes are as the eyes of doves by the rivers of waters, washed with milk, and fitly set. 13His cheeks are as a bed of spices, as sweet flowers: his lips like lilies, dropping sweet smelling myrrh. 14His hands are as gold rings set with the beryl: his belly is as bright ivory overlaid with sapphires. 15His legs are as pillars of marble, set upon sockets of fine gold: his countenance is as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars. 16His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem. (Song of Solomon 5:10‑16)).
Christ-centered marriages will bring to that wonderful union joy, satisfaction and rest in the midst of a corrupt and defiled world. “That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor” (1 Thess. 4:44That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor; (1 Thessalonians 4:4)).
Ed.