Posted on February 24, 2016 by Adam Faugh

http://www.faughnfamily.com/marriage-is-more-than-a-commitment-marriage-is-a-covenant/

By virtually every metric, statistic, and anecdotal observation, the Biblical view of marriage in our society
is declining. While there are still many who hold strongly and passionately to God’s view of marriage in
the western world, that hold is becoming looser at a rapid rate.

There is no way to list all the reasons for that in one blog post, but today I want to share one reason that
I think undergirds much of this struggle. It is a straightforward misunderstanding of how powerful
marriage is meant to be.

Commitment vs. Covenant

We often hear marriage described as a commitment. (Sometimes, tragically in my view, it is even

reduced to nothing more than a “contract.”) Certainly, commitment is necessary in marriage. People are
committed to one another, and marriage will not survive if that commitment is not there.

But marriage is deeper than that. It is not simply a commitment. It is a covenant. While you may think I
am just playing with semantics, consider the definition of the word “covenant.” The simple definition is,
“An agreement, usually formal, between two or more persons to do or not do something specified.”
However, reading further through definitions, there is a reminder that the picture of a covenant is
rooted in God’s very nature. Another definition of the word “covenant” is this: “The agreement between
God and the ancient Israelites, in which God promised to protect them if they kept His law and were
faithful to Him.”

God is a Covenant God

God made a covenant with Israel in the Old Testament. He always kept His part of the covenant. He was
regularly warning His people to stay true to their part of it. Sadly, though, they did not.

If we learn nothing else from the Old Testament, however, we should be struck deep within ourselves
that our God is a covenant-making and covenant-keeping God.

Marriage was God’s Idea

Further tying these ideas together, we must keep in mind that marriage was not man’s idea. It is not
some social construct. While cultures may differ about traditions within marriage, or concerning a
wedding ceremony itself, marriage as a union of one man and one woman for life was God’s idea.

It was not, however, just God’s “plan.” It was God’s design. The Lord designed marriage to be a powerful
picture of what true covenant should look like. The whole “leaving, cleaving, and one flesh” concept of
Genesis 2:24Open in Logos Bible Software (if available) is not just a nice picture. It is a covenental
picture.

How the Sexual Union Portrays Covenant

One of the more uncomfortable pictures used over and over again in the Old Testament was that of
God’s people “whoring after” other things. Sometimes it was the practices of other nations, sometimes
it was pagan worship. But often, God pictured these desires of the people as “whoring” against Him
(e.g., Deuteronomy 31:16Open in Logos Bible Software (if available); Judges 2:17Open in Logos Bible
Software (if available); Psalm 106:39Open in Logos Bible Software (if available)).

Why would the Lord use such a strong image? Because the sexual union between a husband and wife is
the most powerful, intimate picture of what a covenantal relationship is supposed to be. It is difficult to
imagine anything that more closely ties together husband and wife than that relationship.
So, when one decides to have that same union with someone to whom they are not married, they are
rebelling as powerfully as possible against the covenant of marriage. God was trying, through the
imagery of sexual promiscuity, to show His people just how serious it was to break a covenant. To go
after a prostitute for such a relationship is as far from dedication to a spouse as one can imagine. God
was saying, in effect, that sin against Him is just as far from fulfilling a covenant.

What Does It Matter?

Marriage is treated flippantly in our society. Some suggest that marriage is a good idea, but not
necessary. Others say it is good for some, but there’s no need to really be dedicated to it. A widely-held
view states that marriage is just a social construct that we can define (or redefine) in any fashion we
wish. Too many live as if it is a good option in life, but if I don’t like it, I can end it, or even try another.

Those attitudes, which are prevalent in our society are the result of many things. But may I suggest that
they are the result, in major part, to a lack of Biblical understanding. And that includes a lack of
understanding about the picture of a covenant.

When it comes to marriage, be committed to your spouse. Commitment is necessary; of that, there can
be no doubt. But do not treat marriage as just a commitment.

Remember that marriage is a covenant, and is the idea and design of a covenant-making and covenant-
keeping God. That one concept might just make your marriage better than you could have ever
dreamed.

http://www.faughnfamily.com/marriage-is-more-than-a-commitment-marriage-is-a-covenant/