The recent pulpit series on Song of Solomon have given us some good insights into the purpose of marriage and showcasing of God’s covenant-keeping grace.
In Song of Solomon, there were numerous reminders to suggest the importance of a marriage relationship. Hence, it is fitting that as this pulpit series come to an end, we should consider together the implications of marriage.
Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer, once wrote:
God makes your marriage indissoluble. “What therefore God has joined together, let no man put asunder” – Matthew 19:6. God joins you together in marriage. It is His acts, not yours.
I personally have seen a close relative faced the devastation of going through a divorce. And heard from friends who went through tensions of relationship and divorce proceedings. To respond lovingly and caringly is to articulate a hatred of divorce, and why it is against the will of God. The ultimate meaning of marriage is the representation of the covenant-keeping love between Christ and His church. Hence, our marriage covenants must be honoured and upheld as a testimony of God’s faithfulness and steadfast love for the church and vice versa.
Last week, my wife and I met up with a couple who have been married for 30 years of marriage. They told us that they are going to attend a marriage enrichment seminar, conducted by CRU (previously Campus Crusade for Christ), so that they can learn the ropes of enriching their marriage relationship. And they plan to share what they have learnt specifically to mentor other younger couples in the ministry. Praise be to God!
John Piper in his book “The Momentary Marriage” said:
If Christ ever abandons and discards his church, then a man may divorce his wife. And if the blood-bought church, under the new covenant, ever ceases to be the bride of Christ, then a wife may legitimately divorce her husband. But as long as Christ keeps his covenant with the church, and as long as the church, by the omnipotent grace of God, remains the chosen people of Christ, then the very meaning of marriage will include “What God has joined, only God can separate.”
Hence, a reminder for us all, who are about to be married or have just been married and those married for years now is that we may be a people who are profoundly serious about the sacredness of marriage. Marriage is a unique creation of God.
As we draw the Song of Solomon series to a close next week, may we all be encouraged by the lessons on the love to be built by a man and woman, just as Christ built his love for the church. May our marriages not be “on the rock” but be solid as a rock and be built on the strong foundation of God’s love and his Word. May the marriage typology of Christ love for the church gives us all the assurance and confidence, that our God is a covenant promising God, who loves us to the end.
Elder Andrew Lim
