The Covenant of Marriage

Malachi 2:10-16

October 12, 2003

 

The downward spiral caused by the abusive and negligent practices of Judah's spiritual leaders left the nation insensitive to sin.  When the Word of God is not rightly proclaimed and holiness of life takes a backseat in emphasis, then the moral slide gets steeper and costlier.  The effects are always devastating. 

 

The breaking of marriage and the increase of unfaithfulness to the marriage covenant is an alarming symptom of declining spiritual lives.  Without trying to be overly simplistic, I would insist that as goes the spiritual life, so goes the marriage.  That statement certainly does not exclude working on the little, practical details of marriage.  For at the root of any neglect in the marriage relationship is inevitably sin, e.g., selfishness, inconsistency, laziness, self-centeredness, et al. 

 

When God's people slide in the fervor of their devotion and spiritual leaders neglect to shepherd God's flock in the rich truths of His Word, then the stage is set for eroding relationships.  E.g. The crisis facing the Episcopal church demonstrates this:  the reason that many of their leaders could approve a homosexual bishop is due to years and years of failing to teach the Word and emphasize the teachings of Scripture.  Relationships touch every part of life, so when sin abounds individually, it also has a tearing affect corporately.

 

The lower one's view of God and the more exaggerated one's view of self, the more relationships suffer.  Both church disunity and marital disharmony can be traced to this point.  That seems to be precisely where Malachi's audience found themselves.  They presumed upon the Lord, and increasingly elevated their desires and ways above the Lord.  Yes, they still maintained the external respectability or active religious lives.  But the attitudes of their hearts had changed, and with it their unity in relationships.  That's why Malachi exhorts, "Take heed to your spirit."  Each of us has great propensity for sin, even against those we dearly love.  Unless we guard ourselves - zealously guard ourselves - we can fall prey to the same sins the prophet reproved 2500 years ago.  We must value faithfulness in relationships even as does our Lord.  The theme of covenant pervades this text.  Covenant loyalty and faithfulness touches every relationship.

 

I. Sanctity of Relationship (v. 10)

 

All of scripture values relationships - second greatest commandment, multitude of civil laws for relationships, New Testament Epistles deal with relationships; Jesus prized "love one another."

 

1. Vitality of relationships

 

One Father - various interpretations (Adam, Abraham, Jacob), probably best with God as Father (not Fatherhood of god in genetic sense but specifically as the covenant people of God (Malachi 1:2)

 

One Creator - How do we relate to Creator?

 

The way we treat one another reveals whether we are Darwinian or believe God is the Creator.  The vitality of relationships is found in our relationship to God.  So it is contradictory and hypocritical to say we are in right relation to God without also being the same with one another (e.g. Romans 12:10, 18)

 

2. Breach of trust

 

Think of how many New Testament exhortations center on relationships - Romans 12, Ephesians 4, I Peter 2.  Covenant - points to God's elect people.  Covenant is community oriented - we are so individualistic in our day, so unconcerned about the welfare of the larger community of faith that we can act selfishly without thought or concern.  Trust was broken.  Covenant called for integrity, truthfulness, and honesty in relationships.  E.g. Value of covenant noticed in Joshua's covenant with the Gibeonites and how Saul broke this several hundred years later so that God held Israel accountable until David rectified it.

 

II. Single-Mindedness in Marriage  (vv. 11-12)

 

(i.e. You must marry with a view to the glory of God)

 

1. Community effect

 

Note the language; not just a few or some of you but the sin in this account affects the community.  The whole group felt to weight of divine guilt.  Why?

(1) The atmosphere was permissive

(2) They had not reproved this violation of covenant

(3) They presumed upon the spiritual health of the whole community as well as themselves 

     individually


2. Misplaced affections

 

Centered on idolatrous women (daughters of a foreign god, implied that they were characterized by devotion to other gods.  It had nothing to do with cross-cultural or even cross-racial lines, but everything to do with failing to see the centrality of marriage as a spiritual union.  "It had been proved in Israel's experience that in practice the less demanding standards prevailed (cf. I Kings 11:1-8).  Was that just an Old Testament law?  It is a biblical command in every age.  II Corinthians 6:14-18 gives clear warning.

 

Application:  For the unmarried (1) Purpose in your heart that you will not even entertain the thought of either dating or marrying an unbeliever, (2) Purpose to glorify Christ in your relationships with the opposite sex, and (3) Purpose to be devoted to a foundation in Christ with you future mate.  There are severe consequences otherwise.  Malachi's prayer reflects the serious nature of neglect and disobedience in this.

 

III. Honoring the Marriage Vows (vv. 13-16)

 

e.g. I whispered to my nephew secretly at his wedding, "Remember your marriage vows, ... 'I _____ take thee _____ to be my wedded wife/husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, according to God's holy ordinance:  and thereto I pledge thee my faith..."

 

1. False spirituality (v. 13)

 

They were surprised that all their displays resulted in nothing from God's hand and met only with His displeasure - God is not interested in ceremony or outward show, but true, faithful devotion.  At heart is the marriage relationship.

 

2. Marriage witness (v. 14)

 

A ceremony requires witnesses.  Witness what?  Pledging of lives, loyalty and love, a commitment to fidelity and faithfulness.  It shames the witnesses and disregards them when vows are broken.  God is the witness that makes it even more binding than a mere legal transaction as the Mesopotamian Hammurabi instructed.  It is not the legal documents that matter most but God as witness.  What has God witnessed?  "She is your companion" - term of intimacy, friendship, sharing the good and bad, a steadfast relationship - not a maid, cook, housekeeper or concubine, but "companion."  "Your wife by covenant" implies a binding that only death separates.  Paul Harvey reported on a lady marrying herself - an absurdity that contradicts the whole concept of marriage.

(1) Commit to developing deeper companionship - time, openness, intimacy, service (sin will 

     interrupt companionship)

(2) Commit to single-minded devotion - e.g. Uncle Walton as I complimented him on devotion to my 

     aunt responded, "I never had eyes for anyone else."  Don't turn your eyes or imaginations to 

     another!

(3) Commit to working through the adjustments and problems of marriage.  Problems will arise, 

     adjustments will need to be made - be committed to this.


3. Hate divorce (vv. 15-16)

(1) That's God's attitude because He is a God of faithfulness

(2) Guard your mind and heart - take heed to your spirit

(3) Remember your vows/covenant and so don't deal unfaithfully


Verse 15 may deal with Adam, "God made two human beings one with the specific purpose of giving them godly offspring" (Baldwin 240).  The divine institution of marriage was being threatened so they must give heed to their spirits.

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