by Pastor Patrick Cho

Since we are at the start of a new year, I know that many people in the church have begun a Bible reading plan for 2014. This probably means that most are reading somewhere in the opening chapters of Genesis. Genesis is a book of beginnings. The opening chapters give the account about the foundation of the world and how God created all there is in six days. Chapter 3 focuses on the fall of man and the entrance of sin into the world. In Abraham, we see the beginnings of God’s people, set apart to Himself to accomplish His grand purpose in this world.

But also significantly implanted in the opening pages of Scripture is the establishment of marriage. Marriage was given according to God’s plan and purpose for His creation. It was designed under His divine prerogative guided by His infallible wisdom. Regardless of whether people are Christian or not, the foundation of their marriages is found in their Creator. The reason we get married and give one another in marriage is because this was in accordance with God’s design from the very creation of man and a gift of grace.

The specific record of the creation of man and the establishment of marriage is given in Genesis 1:26-28. By God’s will, He created man in His own image and after His likeness. He made them male and female so that each equally bears His image, and upon creating them male and female He immediately commanded them to “be fruitful and multiply.” This is the same command God gave to the “swimming things” in the sea and the “flying things” in the air (v. 22). It is implied that this same command was applied to the living creatures of the earth – the livestock, creeping things, and beasts of the earth. This command was specifically given because each animal was to procreate according to its kind in the established order God set for His creation. Fish would produce greater numbers of fish, birds would produce more birds, and beasts would produce more beasts.

It is in this context that the first man and woman were commanded to be fruitful and multiply, which is the general statement of God’s institution of marriage. Chapter 2 goes on to explain more specifically what God meant by this and why Eve was such a suitable counterpart for Adam. Indeed no other “helper” could be found for Adam from any other created thing. God created Eve especially for Adam to serve as his partner and companion. By God’s own admission, it was not good for man to be alone. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh” (Gen. 2:24).

There is no being fruitful and multiplying with man outside of marriage. God designed marriage to be monogamous between a man and a woman. This was so they could enjoy each other and love one another in the bond of their relationship, and it was also for the purpose of fulfilling His command to fill the earth. Genesis 2:24 helps define what it means to have a family, to leave father and mother and cleave to your spouse.

Any attempt to change the definition of marriage is a perversion of God’s established order. The fact that marriage has become so twisted in contemporary society and cheapened is a testament to the sinful rebellion in the hearts of men. The fact remains that the true definition of marriage is not the result of the latest poll or election. It isn’t left to human opinion regardless of how well-intentioned people try to be. It doesn’t matter if people stand up for what they believe is right under the banner of “love.” Frankly, God never asked our opinion about the way marriage should be. He doesn’t need fallible minds and darkened hearts to correct His infallible and perfect norm. He designed marriage His way because He made us. And that Creator/creature distinction will exist for all of eternity.