But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.

Mark 10:1-12

But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate. Mark 10:6-9

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 10:1-12.  Excerpts from the sixth and final section - the Conclusion - from the commentary provided for this text:

• "Dogmatism and certainty are not appropriate in an area where good and godly students who affirm the infallibility and inerrancy of the Bible hold differing views. Still, there are some things we can affirm based on Jesus’ words in Mark[.]"  These things include: (1) Marriage is a gift and work of God that receives its meaning and significance from Him. (2) God’s design for marriage is exclusively heterosexual and unique among all human relationships (10:6-7). (3) God’s plan from the beginning is that marriage would be permanent (10:9).  (4) Jesus acknowledges that because we live in a fallen world and have hard hearts, divorce will occur (10:3-4). However, no divorce is ever necessary, though it may be occasionally permissible to those whose divorce is on biblical grounds. (5) To divorce one’s mate (without a biblical cause?) and remarry another is to commit the sin of adultery (10:11-12)." 
•  The commentary also offers the following: (1) Where the sin of adultery and/or divorce has taken place, forgiveness is possible and available to those who repent and confess their sin (1 John 1:9). (2) If we are in an unbiblical marriage, we should not attempt to get out of it. Seek forgiveness for the sin of adultery, and then work hard to glorify God and be a blessing to the mate with whom you are married. (3) In the church we should emphasize the value and dignity of marriage while eliminating the shame and stigma of the divorced. We “mingle the call to obedience with the tears of compassion” (Storms, “Divorce and Remarriage”).  (4) We should acknowledge that divorce is a sin that is far more hurtful and destructive than many other sins.  (5) “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” No minister should perform a wedding without requiring extensive premarital counseling and the signing of a premarital wedding covenant."

The only words I can share on this subject: thank You God for my marriage to Lisa!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and who saves. You also created marriage and my marriage to Lisa.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my salvation nor my marriage.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.

Mark 10:1-12

But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate. Mark 10:6-9

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 10:1-12.  Excerpts from the fourth and fifth section - titled "The Teaching of Paul on Divorce (1 Corinthians 7)" and "A Summation of Evangelical Positions on Divorce and Remarriage (After Sexually Consummated Marriage)" - from the commentary provided for this text:

• "In 1 Corinthians 7:10-11, Paul says that a husband and a wife who are both Christians are not to divorce, but if they do, they are not to remarry. In verses 12-16, Paul addresses the problem of a saved spouse who is married to an unsaved spouse. If the unsaved party departs, the saved party is “not bound” in such cases. “Not bound” can mean: (1) free to divorce, (2) free to divorce and remarry, or (3) free to separate but not allowed to divorce and remarry." 
• "As a result of the above survey, several biblical positions on the subject of divorce are possible today: (1) Divorce is never permitted for any reason. (2) Divorce is permitted for adultery only, but remarriage is not allowed. (3) Divorce is permitted for adultery and desertion of an unbelieving spouse, but remarriage is not permitted. (4) Divorce is permitted for adultery or desertion of an unbelieving spouse, and remarriage to a believer is granted to the innocent party. (Those who believe the Bible allows for remarriage do so on the grounds of the exception clause in Matthew and the logic that if God grants divorce to the innocent party, by His grace He would also grant permission to remarry.) (5) Divorce is permitted in the case of an incestuous marriage. (6) Divorce is permitted in the case of the divorce taking place prior to one’s conversion and there is no possibility (2 Corinthians 5:17 as the basis for this position)."

Comment and discuss this post. 

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves, saves and guides.  You are the source of all wisdom that is good, perfect, and righteous.  Thank You for my salvation, for my marriage, and for Your Word.  I am not deserving of such blessings nor my salvation.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

And Pharisees came up and in order to test him asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” He answered them, “What did Moses command you?” They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and to send her away.” And Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment. But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”

Mark 10:1-12

And Pharisees came up and in order to test him asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” He answered them, “What did Moses command you?” They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and to send her away.” And Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment. But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” Mark 10:2-9

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 10:1-12.  Excerpts from the third section - titled "Four Major Views on Divorce and Remarriage." - from the commentary provided for this text:

• Per the commentary the four major views on divorce and marriage are Patristic (Church Fathers), Protestant-Evangelical, Betrothal, and Unlawful Marriage View. 
• Patristic: Based on Matthew 5:31-32 and 19:9-10 "Divorce is allowed for adultery only. No remarriage is allowed. Those holding this view note the lack of any expressed statement for remarriage, and the nearness of the early church fathers to the apostles." 
• Protestant-Evangelical: "Divorce is allowed for adultery and desertion by an unbelieving spouse with no possibility of reconciliation. Remarriage to a believer is permissible for the innocent party."  
• Betrothal: "Jewish betrothal was a legal contract that could only be broken by divorce or death. It was more than an engagement but not a sexually consummated marriage. This view better explains the disciples’ reaction. Divorce is allowed only for unfaithfulness during the betrothal period. If adultery was committed after the marriage, then divorce was not allowed for any reason." 
• Unlawful Marriage: "This view takes “sexual immorality” in the exception clause to refer to incestuous marriages. Divorce is allowed for those marriages within the prohibited degrees of kinship in Leviticus 18:6-18. Remarriage is usually not allowed, though there seem to be some differences of opinion. However, the technical meaning of “incest” given to “sexual immorality” does not fit the total context of the passage."

It is clear that God's view of marriage must be considered based on text from both the Old and New Testament, starting with Genesis.  The text in Mark - vv10:1-12 - is also clear that Jesus pointed the Pharisees to Moses and how God did not change His view on marriage but understood how there would be those who had hardened hearts and how these hearts would twist God's view on marriage to shape their desires vs God.  In all of this discussion, it is absolutely clear that God intends for marriage to be for a lifetime and divorce is not condoned.  See also my previous post. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves.  You pour out Your mercies in an inexhaustible supply and fountain of grace.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my salvation, nor the mercies or grace You pour out for me.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

And he said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her, and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”

Mark 10:1-12

And he said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her, and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.” Mark 10:11-12

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 10:1-12.  Excerpts from the second section - titled "Some Basic Observations About Divorce and Remarriage from a Survey of Scripture" - from the commentary provided for this text:

• "One man joined to one woman for a lifetime is God’s perfect will for every marriage (Genesis 2:18-25)."
• "God hates divorce (Malachi 2:13-16). God’s desire is that troubled marriages would always be reconciled. Divorce is never commanded or desired by God. Separation is sometimes wise (1 Corinthians 7:10-11)." 
• The commentary's author (Danny Akin) shares his view that "[he] believes divorce may be biblically permissible in the cases of sexual immorality, desertion by an unbeliever, or if the divorce was preconversion (2 Corinthians 5:17)."  
• "Where reconciliation is not possible, permission to remarry in the Lord may be allowed (though it is not expressly stated)."  
• "Divorce and remarriage are not sanctioned for reasons other than sexual immorality or desertion by an unbeliever. Some counter that it would be better to remarry than to commit sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 7:9) or to be unduly burdened and oppressed in a single state (Deuteronomy 24:1-4). However, God commends a single status (1 Corinthians 7)."

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves, save and blesses through the institution of marriage.  Thank You for saving me and for bringing Lisa and myself together and for the unity and love we share.  I am not deserving of any of this.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

And Pharisees came up and in order to test him asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” He answered them, “What did Moses command you?” They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and to send her away.” And Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment.

Mark 10:1-12

And Pharisees came up and in order to test him asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” He answered them, “What did Moses command you?” They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and to send her away.” And Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment. Mark 10:2-5

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 10:1-12.  Excerpts from the commentary's main idea, introduction, and the first section from the commentary provided for this text:

• The main idea for this text: "[m]arriage is a sacred covenant that ideally is dissolved only by death."
• "[S]tudy [of marriage] demands our most careful and humble efforts. It is treacherous territory." 
• "Two competing rabbinic schools of thought were present in Jesus’ day: (1) The more conservative school followed Rabbi Shammai and said the only ground for divorce was adultery (sexual immorality). (2) The more liberal school followed Rabbi Hillel and said divorce could be granted for 'any indecency.'"
• "The Pharisees in that day, for the most part, followed Rabbi Hillel, made divorce easy and wanted it to stay that way. So they come to Jesus “to test Him” (v. 2). Jesus was, therefore, thrust into a debate like many of us are today. The Pharisees wanted to talk about divorce, but Jesus wanted to talk about marriage and God’s divine blueprint." 
• Key Biblical texts on divorce and remarriage per the commentary: Genesis 2:18-25, Romans 7:1-3, Ephesians 5:21-33, Deuteronomy 24:1-4, Isaiah 50:1, Jeremiah 3:1, 8-9, Ezra 10:2-3, 10-12, Malachi 2:13-16, Matthew 19:3-12, Luke 16:18, 1 Corinthians 7:8-16, 39-40.  
• "Marriage is a good gift from a great God to be enjoyed. Sex is a part of this good gift. God’s design is one man, for one woman, for a lifetime (unless separated by death; Romans 7:1-3). Marriage is the joining of two bodies, two wills, two minds, and two sets of God-given emotions."  
• Marriage is sacred because it reflects the spiritual union of Christ and His church (Ephesians 5:21-33). As Jesus would never divorce His bride, a spouse should never divorce his or her mate." 
• "Though the Bible never condones divorce, it does recognize the reality of divorce (see also Isaiah 50:1; Jeremiah 3:1,8-9). The allowance of a divorce certificate provides regulations and is a concession for the protection and welfare of an innocent victim. Remarriage to one’s former spouse after marrying another is strictly forbidden."  
• "[Ezra 10:2-3, 10-12] appears to be a unique situation. (Nowhere does God give a direct command to divorce. The text may be recording their activity but not affirming it.) Some believe polygamy was an issue, though the text does not say this. In the best light this is an exceptional act eliminating the greater of two evils: defilement through mixed marriages, which led to idolatry." 
• "Malachi wrote during the time of Ezra. God hates divorce. It is never His perfect will. (Is this perhaps a counter to the activity recorded in Ezra?)" 
• "Desertion by an unbelieving spouse permits divorce and, it seems, grants permission for remarriage (some believe the summation of verses 1 Corinthians 7:39-40 rules out remarriage)." 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves.  You also created marriage and provided my marriage - thank You God for my salvation and for my marriage!  I am not deserving of either but You save and bless.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”

Mark 10:1-12

But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” Mark 10:6-9

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on an unassisted review of Mark 10:1-12, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary. Observations of the text based on the Sword Bible Study Method: 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: God is faithful - see also 2 Corinthians 1:20 - as His promises always come true. If God is faithful and we are made in His image and believers - through sanctification - become more like Him as they grow closer to Him in their journey as believers, then believers are expected and commanded to be faithful to what He expects from them.  Of course this only happens through God and the Holy Spirit, but nonetheless God wants faithfulness from us, in our devotion to Him first and foremost, then to our spouses in our marriages.  See v5 for a wrongful interpretation of God's commands for divorce and then see vv6-9 and vv11-12 for His desire and commands for what He seeks.     
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: Unbelievers seek to justify their lack of faith by using reason, often twisting scripture to bend it to their interpretation but fail to test scripture with other scripture, avoiding what John Piper shares is "isolating" one text by not seeing how it relates and is supported (and not "out of step") by text elsewhere.  We must study ALL scripture and see how it points to Jesus and how it supports the broad narrative of the gospel - the books of the Bible are not standalone works but par of this broader gospel narrative.  
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid,Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): If we marry, we should remain married to one spouse for a lifetime.  We should avoid twisting one text seeking our own interpretation - instead test scripture with scripture.  God is faithful so we should be faithful.  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and created my marriage to Lisa - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You save and how You bless through marriage.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her[.]

Ephesians 5:25

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her[.] Ephesians 5:25

I agree with this post on DesiringGod.com that states that Holy Week is the most important week in all of history. While Holy Week and Easter have passed, I do want to read to completion John Piper's 50-day devotional Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die. Today I read reason #35: To Give Marriage Its Deepest Meaning.  In today's devotion, Piper describes how Christ's death should be seen as model for marriage, reflecting His design for marriage that "preceded the union of Adam and Eve and the coming of Christ."  See also Ephesians 5:31-32 (quoting Genesis 2:24). At the outset of the devotion, Piper shares that "God's design for marriage in the Bible pictures the husband loving his wife the way Christ loves his people, and the wife responding to her husband the way Christ’s people should respond to him."  Christ's death on the cross reflects a love that husbands should have for their wives.  Piper immediately clarifies that it's "not that husbands should suffer at the hands of their wives."  The point is that God wants marriage to reflect Christ's love for His people, and to make this love more "visible to the world."  Piper continues: "[a]ll [Christ's] sufferings were meant to be a message especially to husbands: This is how every husband should love his wife."  Piper then elaborates as he concludes the devotion: "[h]usbands are not Christ. But they are called to be like him. And the specific point of likeness is the husband’s readiness to suffer for his wife’s good without threatening or abusing her. This includes suffering to protect her from any outside forces that would harm her, as well as suffering disappointments or abuses even from her." 

My Prayer: Thank You Father God for the blessing of my marriage to Lisa! I am not deserving of such a blessing...my sin continues...daily.  I am often not the husband You design me to be.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from such sin towards You.  Help me be the husband You designed me to be and command me to be.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Because the LORD was witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been faithless, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. Did he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union? And what was the one God seeking?Godly offspring.

Malachi 2:10-16

Because the LORD was witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been faithless, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. Did he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union? And what was the one God seeking?Godly offspring. Malachi 2:14-15

I continue my study of the last four books of the OT using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book as my focus remains Malachi, the last book of the Old Testament. Today my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Malachi 2:10-16.  Commentary outlines this text with the following divisions:

1. Covenant Infidelity Manifested by Israel’s Faithlessness to One Another (2:10): God first admonishes Israel for its poor treatment of one another - disobedience to the 2nd greatest commandment to love others (as God has loved us - John 13:34).
   
2. Covenant Infidelity Manifested by Israel’s Faithlessness to the Precepts of God (2:11-12): Next, God calls us Israel for their specific sins relating to their relationship with Him, including how "they have profaned the Lord through theft, murder, adultery, and deceit. Worst of all, they have chased after false gods—the ultimate betrayal of their covenantal relationship with Him.... They apparently ignored the precepts of God for personal profit and intermarried with pagan women after divorcing the wives of their youth. God strictly forbade these actions in the OT, but not because He discriminated against ethnic groups. The issue is not racial exclusivity. It is an issue of inclusivity and protection of His covenant people from idolatry (see also Deuteronomy 7:3)....The problem with marrying someone who is an unbeliever isn’t merely that they belong to a different religious organization. The problem with marrying an unbeliever is the different worldview through which they view all things. They perceive the world differently than a believer does. Christians have a certain system, a lens through which they view the world. An unbeliever does not look through that same lens."  We are reminded that God does not seek watered down obedience - or partial obedience.
   
3. Covenant Infidelity Manifested by Israel’s Faithlessness to Their Marriage Partners (2:13-14): We are referred to multiple texts on God's design for marriage, including Mark 10:6-9 (where Jesus refers to Genesis 2).  God clearly was disappointed in Israel towards the husbands who divorced their wives and married pagan women. We are reminded that the marriage covenant is reflection of the covenant between God and His children.  God hates divorce.
   
4. Covenant Renewal Begins with Faithfulness to the Covenant of Marriage (2:15-16): We are exhorted to follow the precepts of God - to make God the most important relationship then to love others as God loved us.  Through our vertical relationship to the Father we can maintain healthy horizontal relationships with others. See also this post from John Piper on DesiringGod.com.
   

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who gives me the example of love and how You love me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You love me.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Because the LORD was witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been faithless, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. Did he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union? And what was the one God seeking?Godly offspring.

Malachi 2:10-16

Because the LORD was witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been faithless, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. Did he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union? And what was the one God seeking?Godly offspring. Malachi 2:14-15

I continue my study of the last four books of the OT using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book as my focus remains Malachi, the last book of the Old Testament. Today my focus is an unassisted review of Malachi 2:10-16.  Here, God's message delivered through Malachi is directed towards God's people who have aligned themselves with those who worship foreign gods, and in particular the husbands who have been unfaithful to their wives, of course leading to offspring who are not trained in the ways of the Lord.  Vv10-12 describe Judah's faithlessness towards one another by marrying those who worship foreign gods.  Of course such deeds are prone to lead to adopting the worship of foreign gods, which then leads to faithlessness within the marriage and faithless children in such marriages.  VV14-15 share how God sought His people to be faithful to the marriage covenant He created (see also this post from DesiringGod.com).  V16a then describes how these marriages play out, more likely than not in divorce which the text describes as "cover[ing] garment[s] with violence."  V16b offers an antidote: "guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not be faithless."  We can of course guard ourselves in our spirit through practices of spiritual disciplines such as study of God's Word, prayer, worship, etc. Ephesians 6:10-20 also shares the "whole armor of God."

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who guards my heart and Spirit - thank You Father God for providing Your Son, the Holy Spirit, Your Word, and so much more that offers not just salvation, but protection, refuge, direction, provision, etc.  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from and overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man. For man was not made from woman, but woman from man. Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man.

1 Corinthians 11:2-16

For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man. For man was not made from woman, but woman from man. Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. 1 Corinthians 11:7-9

I continue my study of 1 Corinthians, moving on to an intended unassisted review of 1 Corinthians 11:2-16. However, a reading of this caused an inordinate amount of struggle to discern God's message, so I leaned on this post from John Piper, which shares that "[i]t becomes clear then that the issue of 1 Corinthians 11:2–16 is secondarily head coverings but primarily the preservation of God-given distinctions between man and woman in the way they relate to each other. The head covering is culturally relative." Vv7-9 are key, followed by vv11-12: 

Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God.

John Piper highlights these verses: "verses 11–12 warn against a misunderstanding. Men should not be arrogant nor women disconsolate, for both are indispensable and interdependent and sustained by God."

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who provides mercies that are new every morning and who provides for all needs.  Thank You Jesus for Your compassion and mercy and for Your provision.  I am not deserving of such love and grace.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.

Ephesians 5

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:25-27

I continue a pause in my study of 1 Corinthians to use DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotional.  Today, in this devotional, John Piper discusses marriage using Ephesians 5:25-30 as the text for biblical marriage. He dives into the topic by first sharing that "[t]he reason there is so much misery in marriage is not that husbands and wives seek their own pleasure, but that they do not seek it in the pleasure of their spouses. The biblical mandate to husbands and wives is to seek your own joy in the joy of your spouse." He then points to the text and emphasizes that the model for marriage - led by a husband that "loves his wife as Christ loved the church" (v25). Paul then unpacks the love Christ has for the church by sharing that He gave himself up for the church (v25) so that he can "sanctify and cleanse her" (v26).  All of this is done ultimately so that "Christ can present the church to Himself in splendor" (v27). Piper then refers us to Hebrews 12:2 where the author of the text there describes that for the "joy that was set before him, [Christ] endured the cross" - Piper highlights this text by sharing that this joy can be "tied" back to Ephesians 5:25-27 where Paul describes Christ's marriage to the church and " the joy of presenting the church to himself in blood-bought splendor." Piper encapsulates these thoughts with the following: "Jesus does not intend to have a dirty and unholy wife. Therefore, he was willing to die to sanctify and cleanse his betrothed so he could present to himself a wife “in splendor.” He gained the desire of his heart by giving himself up in suffering for the good of his bride." Piper then concludes the devotional by highlighting how vv28-30 applies this same message to wives, and also by referring us to Matthew 22:39 where we are to love others and this of course is inclusive of wives.  Piper's final thoughts: "[m]arriage is an extraordinary place of application. It is not merely “as” you love yourself. But you are loving yourself. When you love the person with whom God has made you one flesh, you are loving yourself. That is, your greatest joy is found in seeking the greatest joy of your spouse."

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Impatience, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.      

To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife.

1 Corinthians 7

To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife. 1 Corinthians 7:10-11

I continue my study of 1 Corinthians.  I am assisted in my study by the Christ-Centered Exposition Series commentary for this book.  Today my focus is a review - aided by the commentary - of 1 Corinthians 7:1-16. The main idea provided by the commentary*: "[s]ingles and married couples must follow God’s design and pursue faithfulness according to their gift.  The introduction to the commentary* describes how Paul admonishes the church in Corinth and how they were making a "mess" with some pursuing sexual immorality and others following a belief that God seeks that all people to abstain from sex (ascetics).  Both wrong and not according to God's design.  Paul addresses these concerns head-on as the commentary* shares that this chapter "is one of, if not the most, helpful chapters in the Bible on marriage. Its instructions are as relevant in the twenty-first century as they were in the first."  The following divisions* unpack the text:

1. God Has Helpful Principles for Those Who Are Married (7:1-5): God created marriage in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2) but Adam and Eve fell prey to sin and since then the institution of marriage has been plagued by sin.  Paul rebuts the ascetics and at the same time emphasizes God's design for sex to be within marriage.  Paul then describe the marriage relationship as a partnership where both husband and wife serve one another. 
   
2. God Gifts All of Us according to His will (7:7-9): Paul shares how some are gifted with marriage and some with singleness (including the latter for himself). 
   
3. God’s Ideal Is for Marriage to Last Until Death Parts (7:10-16): Paul refers to Jesus' own words from Matthew 5:31-32, 19:3-12, Mark 10:1-12, and Luke 16:18 to emphasize* several key points: (a) God desires for marriage to be permanent. God allows for separation in a troubled marriage; (b) God always desires for reconciliation to take place, if at all possible, in troubled marriages; (c) divorce and remarriage among believers, except for sexual unfaithfulness (see Matt 5:32; 19:9), are wrong and sinful. and, even when there is sexual unfaithfulness in a believing marriage, God’s desire is for reconciliation and restoration. Paul then moves to discuss how God seeks "mixed" marriages (one believes, other does not) to remain married despite the potential for conflict and disagreement stemming from differences in faith.  The commentary* also explains how Paul's text here on v14 where unbelieving spouses and children are "made holy" is not to be interpreted as being saved. Instead the believer's influence on the unbelieving spouse and children is seen as a "holy" influence. 

The commentary concludes by referring us to Paul Tripp's article 10 Things You Should Know about Marriage.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion - providing me with Your Word as means to know You and Your design for me and for marriage.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

*Akin, Dr. Daniel L.; Merritt, James. Exalting Jesus in 1 Corinthians (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.

1 Corinthians 7

For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. 1 Corinthians 7:4

I continue my study of 1 Corinthians.  I am assisted in my study by the Christ-Centered Exposition Series commentary for this book.  Today my focus is a review - unaided by the commentary - of 1 Corinthians 7:1-16.  Here, Paul provides commands for both the married and unmarried.  For the married, Paul shares how the conjugal rights of both the husband and the wife belong to their spouse and neither is to deprive the other - with exception to "limited" time periods when they focus on prayer.  Paul knows that that sexual temptations are common sin and he is aware of how Satan draws people into sexual sin such as extramarital affairs (v1-5).  V4 sticks out for how husband and wife are to serve one another and to put each other's interests above their own. Paul then pivots to his own circumstances - being unmarried - and recognizes that not all are gifted by God with marriage (v6-7).  As such, he shares how the single people and widowers should also protect themselves from sexual temptation (v8-9). In v10-17, Paul shares commands regarding separation and divorce (v10-11), including marriages where either the husband or the wife is an unbeliever.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and You blessed me with gift of marriage - thank You Jesus!  Thank You for the blessing of a wonderful and Godly wife - Lisa.  I am not deserving of such a gift.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.    

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 5

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-10

I continue my study of Ephesians via my participation in a Discipleship (D) Group that is part of my church. For this morning, I wrap my study of Ephesians 5, examining v22-33 in more detail. This morning, I return to this post from John Piper and DesiringGod.com on the complementarian view of men of women and how the text for today informs God's intent for husbands and wives inside the context of a Godly marriage.  On the subject of the complementarian view, Piper encourages us to see God's design and intent for men and women, including how "the deeper differences of manhood and womanhood are not superior or inferior competencies. There are rather deep dispositions or inclinations written on the heart, albeit often very distorted." He then goes on to look specifically at Ephesians 5:22-33 and has four observations from the text which he summarizes by saying: "[s]o a complementarian concludes that biblical headship for the husband is the divine calling to take primary responsibility for Christlike servant-leadership, protection and provision in the home. And biblical submission for the wife is the divine calling to honor and affirm her husband’s leadership and help carry it through according to her gifts. “A helper suitable for him,” as Genesis 2:18 says."

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God who loves me and who gave me an incredible wife and family - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a great God who loves and blesses me in such ways.  My sin is great and it continues.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.

Ephesians 5

Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. Ephesians 5:31-32

I continue my study of Ephesians via my participation in a Discipleship (D) Group that is part of my church. For this morning, I stay in Ephesians 5, examining v22-33 because its message focuses on marriage - a distinct topic from yesterday which was directed more broadly to the church. This text is often controversial as it describes the role of husbands and wives inside the context of a Godly marriage. I subscribe to John's Piper's complementarian view of men and women that each are uniquely different by God's design and scripture provides clarity on roles for men and women both in the context of the church and marriage.  The linked post does a great job delving into this question so I am not going to call out anything specific in the post but simply to refer to it as an encouragement to read it for a complete view on the subject. Go to the section where he lays out four observations from Ephesians 5:22-33. 

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who gave me Lisa - my wife - and Zach and Dustin.  Thank You Jesus!  Incredible blessings.  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues.  Help me turn from and overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.