01. Companionship

Genesis 2:18 (NLT) says about the first union (Adam and Eve), “Then the LORD God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.’” When Adam was without a wife, he was “alone.” God said that was not good. So God made a “helper” or ideal partner who was just right for him. The word translated “helper” is ‘ezer in the original Hebrew. The same word is used of God helping us in many passages such as Psalm 115:9-11.

The idea of a “helper” means meeting needs for companionship and partnership. This happens on many levels: relationally, emotionally, socially, financially, parentally, intellectually, recreationally and so on. I could go on all day about how Carolyn is my compliment and “better half” in all these ways. That’s the way it is supposed to be. Not just for me, but for my companionship with her as well.

02. Sexual Fulfillment

Marriage is meant to be the fulfillment and release of our sex drives: “So I say to those who aren’t married and to widows—it’s better to stay unmarried, just as I am. But if they can’t control themselves, they should go ahead and marry. It’s better to marry than to burn with lust.” (1 Corinthians 7:8-9 NLT)

Paul wasn’t saying marriage is bad, but that he found it helpful to be single so that he could focus on ministry. But he admitted that for most “it’s better to marry than to burn.” God created sex as a wonderful gift for the union of a man and woman in marriage. He even said that sex is so important that married couples are not to stop having sex unless for a very good reason: “Don’t withhold yourselves from each other unless you agree to do so for a set time to devote yourselves to prayer. Then you should get back together so that Satan doesn’t use your lack of self-control to tempt you.” (1 Corinthians 7:5 GW)

03. Reproduction

One of God’s original commands to Adam and Eve was that they have children: “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it.” (Genesis 1:28a KJV)

Having children is the natural desire of most couples. When it is not possible, our hearts go out to the childless.

04. Raising Godly Children

Not only are we to have children, we are to raise them in God’s ways: “So commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these words of mine. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, so that as long as the sky remains above the earth, you and your children may flourish in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors.” (Deuteronomy 11:18-21 NLT)

05. To Demonstrate Christ’s Symbolic Marriage to His Bride, the Church

Ephesians 5:22-33 makes it clear that marriages are meant to reflect the wonderful love relationship between Jesus and His church. This passage tells husbands and wives to meet the most basic need of their spouse: the instruction for a husband is to love his wife, and the instruction for a wife is to honor her husband. When husbands and wives do these, they demonstrate Christ’s symbolic marriage to his bride, the Church.

06. The Basic Building Block of Society

Throughout the Bible we see that the family is the basic unit and building block of society. For example, the rebuilding of the wall around Jerusalem was done in sections by families, as recorded in Nehemiah, and they were willing to fight to protect their families.

Research shows that when families are weak, societies are weak educationally, morally, economically, and criminally. It is no wonder that the only one of the ten commandments that has promises attached to it is this one: “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” (Exodus 20:12 ESV)

Note in this commandment that when parents and therefore families are honored, there is: a promise of long life, and a promise of living in the Promised Land (prosperity). For these reasons we must do all we can to protect marriage against threats such as: infidelity, divorce, abuse, redefinition, unfair taxation, and any other threats.

Finally, a reminder: 

There is one overriding purpose for marriage and all of life: “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17 NIV)

Our purpose in marriage and all we do is to glorify God. May He be glorified in every way in your life, marriage and family.