Singleness In The Church - The Missing Piece?

INTRODUCTION

“And the Lord God said, It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him” (Genesis 2:18).

“And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. 22 Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He [made into a woman, and He brought her to the man.”(Genesis 2:21).

Marriage as we know, was ordained by the Lord God. Out of God’s love, He looked at the first single man (Adam) and thought to Himself, that it was not good for man to be alone. He therefore decided, and acted on His thought by creating a suitable companion, for Adam, whom Adam called Eve. (Genesis1:18).

Therefore, anytime we think of, or about marriage, we must think back to the heart of God at the beginning creation. It was a heart of love and compassion for mankind and because God never changes, His heart towards marriage is still the same. He does not want the man to be alone.

God, reiterates His desire, for marriage between a man and a woman, as we read in the scriptures, even when Israel was in captivity; the Lord spoke through His prophet Jeremiah saying,

“Take wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters—that you may be increased there, and not diminished”(Jeremiah 29:6).

God’s word is forever settled; His word will prevail in Jesus name amen.

CHAPTER ONE

MARITAL CONNECTION - TYPES

“Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come’ (1 Corinthians 10:11).

Following on, in the word of God, let us acquaint ourselves, on how some people got connected for marriage. Even though, some of these examples may be relevant, others may be archaic and not useful to us as a guide, however, they are worth the mention nonetheless.

I have therefore, listed seven examples of how people in the bible were linked for marriage.

1. Supernatural Connection

God pioneered this connection type and idea, when he brought Eve to Adam.

“Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man” (Genesis2:22).

Through the years, God has supernaturally brought couples together, (and still does it today) sometimes in ways that cannot be easily explained.

1. Matchmaking

In order for Isaac to be married into the family of Abraham’s choice, he sent his servant to his country to find a wife for Isaac.

“but you shall go to my country and to my family, and take a wife for my son Isaac.” (Genesis 24:4).

Match making still happens in different forms, even in our world today.

1. Physical Attraction

Although, Isaac and Rebekah, had an arranged marriage, the bible records that He loved her, which was a case of love at first sight.

“Then Isaac brought her into the tent of Sarah his mother and took Rebekah, and she became his wife, and he loved her (Genesis 24:27a)

1. Service

A practice that may no longer be in existence, occurred when Jacob fell in love with Rachael. When Jacob asked for her hand in marriage, her father Laban demanded that Jacob served him for 7 years, before Rachael could be to be release to him as his wife.

Now Jacob loved Rachel; so, he said, “I will serve you seven years for Rachel your younger daughter” (Genesis29:18).

1. Tradition and Culture

Ruth was a Moabite widow, who accompanied her mother- in-law Naomi back from the land of Moab to Bethlehem. In return for her kindness, Naomi, secured her inheritance, by arranging for her to marry a close relative. This kind of connection, still happens in some cultures.

So she answered, “I am Ruth, your maidservant. Take[ your maidservant under your wing, for you are a [close relative.” Ruth 3:9 Then he said, “Blessed are you of the Lord, my daughter! For you have shown more kindness at the end than at the beginning, in that you did not go after young men, whether poor or rich. 11 And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you request, for all the people of my town know that you are a virtuous woman (Ruth 3:9-11).

1. Honorary Marital Connection

In Bible times, some brides were given into marriage, by their fathers, as a sign of honour and appreciation, when the man had accomplished something highly commendable.

For instance, Joseph was honoured with a bride, who was the daughter of the priest of ‘On’ for interpreting Pharaoh’s dreams.

And Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphnath-Paaneah. And he gave him as a wife Asenath, the daughter of Poti-Pherah priest of On. So Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt (Genesis41:45).

This type of connection is still practiced in some culture.

1. Love

Now Jacob loved Rachel; so he said, “I will serve you seven years for Rachel your younger daughter” (Genesis 29:18).

Jacob, was one of the Bible characters, who married because he was in Love, He loved Rachael.

Martial Connects in Our Time

Generally speaking, in our day and age, falling in love, appears to be the most common type of marital connection. Adam fell in love when he saw Eve, as he exclaimed,

“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. 24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh” (Genesis2:23-24).

It is beautiful, to fall in love, given that God’s heart in creating marriage was one of love. Therefore, the expectation, of many Christian ladies, when they approach that stage in life, which is to fall in love and be swept off their feet by someone, who is mutually in love with them, is legitimate.

However, because God is the author of marriage, He may bring people together in His own way for His own purpose. For instance, Mary and Joseph, had their own type of marital, connection, and were engaged to be married; however, they had no idea that they would be chosen to be both the carrier and custodians of the saviour of the world.

Also, when we read the story of Hannah, in the book of 1 Samuel, ( even though, her case had to do with her wanting a child) the principle remains the same. God had a purpose for Hannah’s child- Samuel, who became the greatest prophet in Israel. She had to be sacrificial in her asking, as she made a vow unto the Lord, to dedicate the child to the Lord’s service; even before he was born. Likewise, The Lord might have a purpose for your marriage, It is therefore, important to leave room for God’s purposes to be fulfilled in your marital plans.

I pray, that God will lead His children (especially), daughters to be sensitive to the will of God in choosing their life partners, while in their waiting season Amen.