Going biblical today, marriage is a divine institution designed to form a permanent bond of union between man and woman as husband and wife . It is a standard set out by God, authorized and established long ago at the garden of Eden, with God himself performing the first marriage as told in Genesis 2:22-24. Do you recall how the first woman was created? By using the man’s rib as a base, God made woman man’s closest fleshly relative on earth. Back then, marriage was the normal way of life among the Hebrews. There is no word for "bachelor" in the Hebrew Scriptures.
Commitment...the big word that sends shivers down the spine of (some?) men. Though once found and given, commitment could be likened to the mortar that binds the bricks of a sturdy house. Mortar is made from combining sand, cement, and water. Similarly, commitment is formed from a combination of such factors as duty, trust, and lifelong friendship. When a man and woman earn each other’s trust and work at becoming the best of friends, their commitment towards each other grows. Commitment requires hard work and self-sacrifice. It demands that one be willing to forgo his own preferences in order to please his mate.
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I always viewed marriage as a public display of commitment. Sure, a man can promise his woman that he'd love her for the rest of his life...but marriage is that one line they crossed to let others know that they finally are each other's...exclusively.
But marriage is more than just a piece of paper, of gold rings, beautiful gowns and grand ensemble, of flowers and photographs and that wonderful feeling of excitement and bliss.
Eventually, problems would come, you cannot escape your own faults or those of your spouse. Do you have the willingness to forgive? That is essential otherwise your commitment would be in question. It would be wise to not let upsets make you abandon your commitment or forfeit everything that you have already invested in your marriage nor the distance you have already covered in your journey together. Only then can you say that you have formed a bond the Bible describes as being so close that it is as if the two people were “one flesh.”—Matthew 19:5.
How far would I go to honor my commitment? I leave you with this:
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Proverbs 31
10 A capable wife who can find? Her value is far more than that of corals.
11 In her the heart of her owner has put trust, and there is no gain lacking.
12 She has rewarded him with good, and not bad, all the days of her life.
13 She has sought wool and linen, and she works at whatever is the delight of her hands.
14 She has proved to be like the ships of a merchant. From far away she brings in her food.
15 She also gets up while it is still night, and gives food to her household and the prescribed portion to her young women.
16 She has considered a field and proceeded to obtain it; from the fruitage of her hands she has planted a vineyard.
17 She has girded her hips with strength, and she invigorates her arms.
18 She has sensed that her trading is good; her lamp does not go out at night.
19 Her hands she has thrust out to the distaff, and her own hands take hold of the spindle.
20 Her palm she has stretched out to the afflicted one, and her hands she has thrust out to the poor one.
21 She does not fear for her household because of the snow, for all her household are clothed with double garments.
22 Coverlets she has made for herself. Her clothing is of linen and wool dyed reddish purple.
23 Her owner is someone known in the gates, when he sits down with the older men of the land.
24 She has made even undergarments and proceeded to sell [them], and belts she has given to the tradesmen.
25 Strength and splendor are her clothing, and she laughs at a future day.
26 Her mouth she has opened in wisdom, and the law of loving-kindness is upon her tongue.
27 She is watching over the goings-on of her household, and the bread of laziness she does not eat.
28 Her sons have risen up and proceeded to pronounce her happy; her owner [rises up], and he praises her.
29 There are many daughters that have shown capableness, but you—you have ascended above them all.
30 Charm may be false, and prettiness may be vain; [but] the woman that fears Jehovah is the one that procures praise for herself.
31 GIVE her of the fruitage of her hands, and let her works praise her even in the gates.
