Sanctity of the Marital Covenant

In the ancient culture of Abraham, a covenant was deeper than just a contract. When God established a covenant with Abraham, it involved the cutting of animals’ bodies into halves (Genesis 15:17-18). It was believed that if someone broke the covenant, they would be as those animals torn into pieces, which can never be repaired. God’s covenant with Abraham was an everlasting covenant for those who put their trust in Jesus to live forever with Him in eternal rest.

No one entered into a covenant lightly, and it serves as a model for believers in marriage. In most countries, marriage is a matter of a legal contract between two people; however, marriage is deeper in the eyes of God than just a contract. Marital contracts can be negotiated and broken, while marital covenants are meant for life. The sanctity of the marital covenant means that the husband and wife have separated themselves from all others to remain faithful until death.

When a husband or wife breaks marital covenant by having sexual relations with another person, the emotional and physical pain is similar to being torn in half. It’s excruciating agony that takes an enormous amount of healing to overcome, and, unfortunately, many people never recuperate from this betrayal from their spouse.

It is no small thing to break the sanctity of the marital covenant. While there is forgiveness after repentance, the consequences of adultery can be felt for generations. Those who break the marital covenant and refuse to repent of this wickedness will know God’s displeasure in this lifetime and the next. In contrast, those who press against the norms of society and align themselves with keeping the sanctity of the covenant in marriage will experience the blessings of God.

Prayer

Dear Lord, renew a desire in me to remain faithful in mind and body to my marital covenant. Help me to live according to the covenant every day without fail. Amen.

In His Service,

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