Your Daily Slice

Av 16

One Woman Man

“An overseer, then, should be … the husband of one wife.” (1Tim 3:2 ISR)

We live in a disposable, microwave society, and unfortunately, the propensity to ‘dispose’ of one’s spouse (by divorce) is becoming the normal standard, even among those with a religious affiliation.  Divorce is being used as the ‘escape hatch’ in relationships between husband and wife, ending what is supposed to be a legal and binding commitment to one another.  Let me stop here, and state emphatically, I am not against divorce per se, and I do not believe that our Creator is either.  There are instances and circumstances where divorce becomes the only option, such as in a case of severe spousal abuse, and there is no condemnation to those who have gone through such an event.  What I am addressing is the trend to ‘remove and replace’ with a newer, better model, completely voiding any commitment that had been made to the original mate.  Brethren, this is wrong, and our Elohim is not pleased with it.

The Creator’s blueprint for marriage is so totally awesome, it is worth studying.  From the beginning, Elohim’s desire was for the joining of one man with one woman, lasting for the lifetime of the two (see Mark 10:1-1-9; Mat 19:3-6; Gen 2:24).  Neither one was to engage in any type of pre-marital sexual relations or fornication; they were both to be pure on the day of their marriage.  With the act of consummation, both the man and the woman would shed blood (yes, there is blood in a man’s semen), making this marriage covenant a blood covenant, one that should never be broken.  To place that type of commitment on the marriage relationship portrays to us the seriousness of this covenant, one that we recognize is also symbolic of our relationship with our King, who has already shed His blood.

Yes, I have been divorced.  My first husband was extremely abusive, and there were two separate instances where he tried to kill me.  Divorce was the only option for me.  My current marriage is going on 24 years, and I am beyond thankful for my husband.  However, there were several different subjects that were discussed before we ever agreed to marry, with divorce being one of them.  The agreement was made between the two of us that divorce would never be an option, that we would diligently guard and protect the relationship we have, and take whatever problems we might have to our Father for mediation.  I can truthfully say, that to this date, we have never fought or argued.  Yes, we have had disagreements; however, because of the relationship that we have, and because of the Elohim that we serve, we choose to never allow those disagreements become a source of offense.

The qualifications for a congregational leader include that of a commitment in a marriage, and let me also include the requirement of this marriage to be between one woman, and one man.  I do not necessarily agree that a divorce would disqualify one for a leadership position; however, I do believe that the cause of the divorce should be investigated, and determination should be made from there.  To put an individual in a leadership position that goes through spouses like tissue paper does not bring honor and esteem to our Father, and sends the wrong message to the body of Messiah.

“Now to the Sovereign of the ages, incorruptible, invisible, to Elohim who alone is wise, be respect and esteem forever and ever. Amĕn.” (1Tim 1:17 ISR)

"For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." (Gen 2:24 ISR)

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