THE MARRIAGE MIRROR
The marriage of two dissimilar woods
was conceived in the heart and performed by the hand of the Craftsman. He would choose them carefully and
then join them in such complimenting way that the two should
become one inseparable wood. Then,
time and effort would
form them together an image,
likeness and glory neither could ever assume alone.
Whatsoever the Craftsman hath joined together…. (Taken from Matt 19:4-6)
My brother Joe is a craftsman of wood by trade who freely
expresses his political and social insights to any who will listen. As well, he often writes his congressmen and
speaks with talk radio hosts about his concerns. The recent redefinition of marriage is one of those concerns that
he has spoken and written of, but has recently expressed as well through his
woodcraft in a creation he has christened “The Marriage Mirror.”
Now, biblically speaking, why would my brother call
his joining of two dissimilar woods and a piece of silvered glass the “Marriage
Mirror?”
1 The meticulous
choice of materials and sterling craftsmanship of the whole work speak volumes
about the expectations and the realities of the divine institution of marriage
as defined in Scripture
2 The joining
of the two dissimilar woods is typical of the inseparable, completely
complimenting nature of the biblically defined marriage of one man and one
woman to become a singular expression of divine intent with unique purpose and
beauty that neither could achieve alone
3 A man and a
woman in a right biblical relationship mirror the image, likeness
and glory of the invisible God to this visible environment (Rom 1:20). Note: to mar this image is a most extreme
form of idolatry (Gen 1:26-28; Rom 1; 1 Cor 6:15-20; 1 Cor 10:7-14)
4 A biblical
marriage mirrors the mystical union of Christ and His Church and mirrors
as well His hope of bringing many sons unto glory (Rev 19:7-9; Heb 2:9-15)
Certainly, most of us are aware that the institution
identified by the word “marriage” has recently undergone redefinition by our
highest of courts. Now we should also
be aware that in redefining marriage, we must now redefine every word related
to the institution’s appearance, function and influence: Dad; Mom; children;
home; family; etc.
If civil recognition, legal rights, social equality and
protection were the entire motive for such change, would we not have created
new words, words legally and socially recognized, and have assigned to them the
definitive description of these differing institutions rather than afford them
place under the umbrella of marriage, thus allowing the definition of this
ancient and, to some of us, sacred word (which word’s definition even preceded
the word itself) to remain as it is found in the biblical record of mankind’s
beginning (Gen 2:24)?
I suggest to you that this change was for the sake of more
change to come, that this “Pandora’s box” will not see its lid again and that
its proceeds will continue till all we have known and cherished as Christian
America is at an end (This end was envisioned by many when our highest civil
authority declared, “America is not a Christian nation!”). Furthermore, I suggest to you that events
subsequent to this change of definition have already lent support sufficient to
make my statement appear more than just idle hypothesis.
So, what now? From
henceforth, because of such confused definition, when someone asks if you are
married you might of necessity take time to explain of what sort your marriage
is. I offer to you that the addition of
a certain modifier preceding the word marriage may save you some time and at
once clear all the confusion (no matter the violence, past, present or future,
done to the definition of the word): “With God’s help, I have a biblical
marriage.”
Bobby Norton
May 31, 2016
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