Page 18 - The Marriage Covenant

image of God, we will also desire to raise up a godly heritage to His name.
Not all are married, and not all are able to have children, but Yahweh will allow them
to have many sons and daughters as they give themselves to disciple others. They will be
given spiritual children in an everlasting kingdom. Yet, whenever we consider the purpose
of the marriage union, this idea of raising up godly offspring should not be far from our
thoughts. It is a righteous aspiration, one that arises from God’s own heart.
If there is one foundational motive in Yahweh’s heart as pertains to man, it is to have
sons in His image and likeness. In pursuit of this He has bound Himself with a covenant of
blood, a promise that cannot be broken, as demonstrated to His friend Abraham. All about
this matter is holy and sacred. All has been spoken from the lips of God with perfect
faithfulness. He has said it. He will perform it.
As we consider the marriage union of the man and woman, we are to understand that
they become partakers with Yahweh in this same holy and sacred pursuit. The union of the
man and woman is sacred and holy. They are brought together in a lifelong, inviolable
covenant, to accomplish in their bodies the will and command of the Father.
Giving birth is but the beginning. All the energy and focus of the husband and wife
should be turned toward training up a godly generation. When their children are themselves
adults and married, the parents’ task is not over. One brother in Christ recently lamented
to me, “It is no wonder that the children are perishing and families are overcome with evil.
The older generation who should be giving themselves sacrificially as prayer warriors and
seeking to promote a continued godly heritage in their children and grandchildren; these
ones are spending their time on the golf courses, at the clubs, watching endless hours of
television, and living at ease. It is no wonder that this generation is falling into apostasy.”
From the oldest to the youngest, Christians have departed from the will of God. We
must return and rebuild the ancient ruins. We must re-establish the age-old foundations.
We must repair the breaches and restore the streets in which to dwell (Isaiah 58:12).
Returning to an understanding of covenant, and the purpose of God in creating man
and woman is a step in this direction. If we truly have set our hearts to raise up a godly
offspring, will we seek to accomplish this high purpose through actions of unfaithfulness,
treachery, and selfishness? Let us not be deceived. He who practices righteousness is
righteous. May Yahweh give His people great grace, allowing them to repent and return to
the narrow way.