Do Not Let Anyone Be Faithless

To The Wife Of His Youth

Have we not all one father? Has not one God created us? Why then are we faithless to one another, profaning the covenant of our ancestors? Judah has been faithless, and abomination has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem; for Judah has profaned the sanctuary of the LORD, which he loves, and has married the daughter of a foreign god. May the LORD cut off from the tents of Jacob anyone who does this – any to witness or answer, or to bring an offering to the LORD of hosts.

And this you do as well: You cover the LORD’s altar with tears, with weeping and groaning because he no longer regards the offering or accepts it with favor at your hand. You ask, “Why does he not?” Because the LORD was a witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been faithless, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. Did not one God make her? Both flesh and spirit are his. And what does the one God desire? Godly offspring. So look to yourselves, and do not let anyone be faithless to the wife of his youth. For I hate divorce, says the LORD, the God of Israel, and covering one’s garment with violence, says the LORD of hosts. So take heed to yourselves and do not be faithless.

Malachi 2:10-16

The drama played out in a nest of bald eagles monitored by a webcam. A beloved eagle family, viewed by many on the Internet, was breaking up. After raising offspring, the parents again laid new eggs in the spring. But then a young female invaded their happy home. When Dad started cavorting with her, Mom disappeared and the life in the abandoned eggs died. As chat room members expressed their sadness, we should also wonder if they knew that God feels much the same way about human family breakups.

Marriage symbolizes God’s covenant with His people. He takes it very seriously, and so should we.

Put Christ first if you want your marriage to last.

Our Daily Bread – February 26, 2009