So in the last post we discussed that sex outside of marriage wasn't a good idea because there is usually no commitment from the other person. Even when there is commitment of some kind you are not united or joined by God. The only way to do that is to get married to that person. Then God is able to unite and seal the relationship. Remember the red wax seals of times past? Like the one I have shown. The red wax seal was most often used by the kings and priests to authenticate that what was in the document or agreement was true. So in placing the seal the king was saying that it was true and binding. Here are a couple of examples from the Bible.
" In view of all of this we are making a binding agreement, putting it in writing, and our leaders, our Levites and our priests are affixing their seals to it." Neh. 9:38
"Now write another decree in the kings name...and seal it with the king's signet ring--for no document written in the king's name and sealed with his ring can be reversed." Esther 8:8
The second verse sounds a lot like "what God has joined together, let no man separate" doesn't it? So God is the only one that can seal a marriage. Marriage is the only true binding agreement. So there is really no reason for us to get all stirred up about who can marry and who can not marry. Even if there were laws pasted in your country that said you could marry whom ever or whatever you liked it wouldn't change the sanctity of marriage.
Say it became legal to marry your horse. God doesn't look down from heaven and say "Well, the horse has a white dress on and that person has a tuxedo and it looks like they really love each other. So I guess they are married." NO. The seal of the king on a binding agreement was a seal to authenticate that what the agreement said was true. Therefore God can not and will not ever seal a marriage that is not within his truth and principles. God's truth on what marriage is is extremely simple. {remember Gen. 2:24}
Think of the other extreme. What if in your country it became illegal for anyone to get married. Would that mean that no one could enter in to the truth of God's marriage. Of course not. It was not the state of Oregon that joined me to my husband. It was not the United States of America. It wasn't even the priest! It was my me and my husband confessing vows of love and commitment to one another and God authenticating His truth of the marriage therefore joining us together. Ans as we discussed in the last post God has done this at every marriage Christian or non-Christian in all history. Why? Because marriage is God's invention and His truth. Therefore it is under his charge if done in his truth.
So lets not get all up in arms about who can marry and who can't. Marriage can not be ruined because it is the King who authenticates and seals. Instead pray for people who in their brokenness are trying to authenticate a false identity. Most of all focus on your own marriage and make sure it is a testimony to the King who sealed it. OK? ok. Let's move on.
"A vow is a purely religious act which cannot be taken in a fit of passion. It can be taken only with a mind purified and composed and with God as witness." Gandhi
"When a man makes a vow to the Lord or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said." Numbers 30:1
I want to touch on vows really quick. It is something else that was to reinforce the truth of God. Therefore it was very important to God that whatever oath you made you did it in truth and with plan of following through. If you vow by God to do something that is NOT in his truth you are taking the Lord's name in vain. This is where we get the third commandment.
"You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name." Exodus 20:7
We usually think of this verse in terms of swearing. But what God was really saying was don't put my name on something that is not my truth. So again this is something that upholds the sanctity of being joined together by God. It is also a reminder to not use God's truth for selfish intentions. Meaning don't say to someone that you vow to marry them just to be able to have sex with them. That is a misuse of the name and truth of God. In the old testament if you had sex outside marriage with a single woman you were required to marry that person. So what if you are both Christians and have been engaged a year and the wedding is in three days. You are not sealed and should not have sex. How come? Because another thing that happens with premarital sex besides not being sealed by God is that you are not protected by God.
I will discuss this in the next post. ;D
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