1 00:00:00,960 --> 00:00:05,149 Speaker 1: So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What 2 00:00:05,210 --> 00:00:10,549 Speaker 1: therefore God has joined together, let no man separate. Matthew 3 00:00:10,550 --> 00:00:17,440 Speaker 1: 19.6 Heavenly Father, our hearts are filled with reverence for 4 00:00:17,480 --> 00:00:23,360 Speaker 1: the sacred bond of marriage. This divine union, designed by You, 5 00:00:24,739 --> 00:00:27,110 Speaker 1: calls us not only to a commitment to one another, 6 00:00:28,520 --> 00:00:35,220 Speaker 1: but also reflects your steadfast devotion to us. Inspire us 7 00:00:35,320 --> 00:00:39,919 Speaker 1: to mirror your unwavering love and faithfulness in our relationships. 8 00:00:42,060 --> 00:00:46,980 Speaker 1: Help us to honor and cherish our partners, showing the 9 00:00:47,040 --> 00:00:51,379 Speaker 1: same kind of selfless love and grace you extend to 10 00:00:51,540 --> 00:00:57,400 Speaker 1: us daily. May our devotion to one another be a 11 00:00:57,440 --> 00:01:02,240 Speaker 1: testament to your love, a beacon of hope and stability 12 00:01:03,340 --> 00:01:09,339 Speaker 1: in a world where commitments are often taken lightly. Strengthen 13 00:01:09,420 --> 00:01:14,230 Speaker 1: our bonds, O God, that we might withstand the trials 14 00:01:14,310 --> 00:01:21,069 Speaker 1: and tribulations of life together. Teach us to communicate with kindness, 15 00:01:22,569 --> 00:01:30,039 Speaker 1: to forgive generously, and to support each other unconditionally. Let 16 00:01:30,180 --> 00:01:34,619 Speaker 1: our love be a living example of your eternal covenant 17 00:01:34,819 --> 00:01:40,800 Speaker 1: with us, marked by loyalty, respect, and a deep commitment 18 00:01:41,700 --> 00:01:46,600 Speaker 1: that reflects the very nature of your devotion. In the 19 00:01:46,640 --> 00:01:51,670 Speaker 1: name of Jesus, who shows us the perfect way of love, 20 00:01:52,470 --> 00:01:52,870 Speaker 1: we pray. 21 00:01:55,230 --> 00:01:55,550 Speaker 2: Amen. 22 00:01:58,130 --> 00:02:01,610 Speaker 1: Thank you for praying with me today Jesus' words weren't 23 00:02:01,640 --> 00:02:34,329 Speaker 1: meant to be comfortable. They were meant to bring peace, hope, 24 00:02:35,130 --> 00:02:40,790 Speaker 1: and transformation. Such things aren't gained through comfort and ease. 25 00:02:42,400 --> 00:02:48,100 Speaker 1: Jesus raised the standard beyond mindless adherence to laws. He 26 00:02:49,260 --> 00:02:53,980 Speaker 1: was after the heart. He didn't just call people not 27 00:02:54,020 --> 00:02:59,180 Speaker 1: to murder. He wanted to root out their anger. He 28 00:02:59,220 --> 00:03:04,470 Speaker 1: didn't just decry adultery. He called people to purify their thoughts. 29 00:03:06,250 --> 00:03:11,670 Speaker 1: Christ wanted people's hearts. And what better way to refine 30 00:03:11,889 --> 00:03:14,630 Speaker 1: one's heart than marriage? 31 00:03:15,610 --> 00:03:19,090 Speaker 3: You have heard it said, whoever divorces his wife, let 32 00:03:19,120 --> 00:03:22,019 Speaker 3: him give her a divorce certificate. But I say to 33 00:03:22,080 --> 00:03:25,620 Speaker 3: you that everyone who divorces his wife except on the 34 00:03:25,680 --> 00:03:30,890 Speaker 3: grounds of sexual immorality makes her commit adultery. and whoever 35 00:03:30,930 --> 00:03:34,430 Speaker 3: marries a divorced woman commits adultery. 36 00:03:34,850 --> 00:03:37,890 Speaker 1: His words sent chills up the spines of everyone present. 37 00:03:39,280 --> 00:03:43,160 Speaker 1: They weren't easy words to hear. They raised the standard 38 00:03:44,020 --> 00:03:47,000 Speaker 1: and revealed Christ's view of sanctity of marriage. 39 00:03:47,580 --> 00:03:50,640 Speaker 3: Have you not read that he who created them from 40 00:03:50,680 --> 00:03:55,430 Speaker 3: the beginning made them male and female and said, Therefore 41 00:03:55,470 --> 00:03:58,710 Speaker 3: a man shall leave his father and his mother and 42 00:03:58,810 --> 00:04:02,230 Speaker 3: hold fast to his wife and the two shall become 43 00:04:02,870 --> 00:04:07,560 Speaker 3: one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one. 44 00:04:08,340 --> 00:04:12,480 Speaker 3: What God has joined together, let. 45 00:04:11,580 --> 00:04:14,040 Speaker 1: No man separate. 46 00:04:17,440 --> 00:04:22,190 Speaker 4: Marriage is a calling, a calling of love, devotion, and resilience. 47 00:04:22,990 --> 00:04:25,770 Speaker 4: But it's also an image, an image of a love 48 00:04:25,950 --> 00:04:29,400 Speaker 4: greater than ourselves, a devotion more powerful than and a 49 00:04:29,460 --> 00:04:34,279 Speaker 4: strength more enduring than our own. Welcome to the Jesus Podcast. 50 00:04:34,740 --> 00:04:38,919 Speaker 4: I'm Ethan with Pray.com. We've been going through series on 51 00:04:38,960 --> 00:04:42,090 Speaker 4: the Sermon on the Mount. We've been connecting the teachings 52 00:04:42,130 --> 00:04:45,730 Speaker 4: of Jesus to other biblical stories, showing how the entire 53 00:04:45,810 --> 00:04:50,349 Speaker 4: Bible speaks to itself, reaffirming timeless truths for us all. 54 00:04:51,130 --> 00:04:54,589 Speaker 4: If this podcast has blessed you, we would sincerely appreciate 55 00:04:54,610 --> 00:04:58,020 Speaker 4: a review. We love reading them and hearing how they've 56 00:04:58,140 --> 00:05:03,020 Speaker 4: impacted your faith. Today, we delve into another profound teaching 57 00:05:03,080 --> 00:05:06,560 Speaker 4: from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, found in Matthew 5, 58 00:05:06,560 --> 00:05:12,590 Speaker 4: verses 31-32. This passage addresses the sanctity of marriage and 59 00:05:12,610 --> 00:05:15,789 Speaker 4: the seriousness of divorce. We will connect it to the 60 00:05:15,830 --> 00:05:21,349 Speaker 4: story of Adam and Eve in Genesis 2-3, exploring the 61 00:05:21,410 --> 00:05:26,620 Speaker 4: original biblical intent of marriage and the impact of sin. Together, 62 00:05:27,070 --> 00:05:30,190 Speaker 4: will discover how to uphold the sacred nature of marriage 63 00:05:30,310 --> 00:05:30,940 Speaker 4: in our lives. 64 00:05:32,960 --> 00:05:37,539 Speaker 1: The light of dawn bounced off the morning mist. The 65 00:05:37,620 --> 00:05:42,760 Speaker 1: rays kissed the earth, awakening the flowers and creatures below. 66 00:05:44,830 --> 00:05:49,890 Speaker 1: Leaves dripped morning dew, falling gently onto the soft dirt. 67 00:05:52,230 --> 00:05:55,510 Speaker 1: It was from the dirt that God would craft his masterpiece. 68 00:05:58,010 --> 00:06:02,290 Speaker 1: The dirt began to stir, and the animals scurried and 69 00:06:02,330 --> 00:06:06,250 Speaker 1: watched from their burrows, waiting to see what would happen. 70 00:06:08,330 --> 00:06:12,390 Speaker 1: From the earthy clay, a figure began to take shape, 71 00:06:13,890 --> 00:06:19,110 Speaker 1: like a potter's vessel slowly forming on the wheel. The 72 00:06:19,250 --> 00:06:25,310 Speaker 1: earth spun to the sound of music. The creator's hands 73 00:06:25,450 --> 00:06:33,870 Speaker 1: moved precisely, crafting each detail with love and care. From 74 00:06:33,910 --> 00:06:39,970 Speaker 1: the earth, the first man emerged, a lifeless being of 75 00:06:40,089 --> 00:06:46,860 Speaker 1: dust and stone. He stood there, lifeless, an unoccupied body 76 00:06:47,640 --> 00:06:52,279 Speaker 1: in need of a soul. The wind whistled through the 77 00:06:52,320 --> 00:07:00,670 Speaker 1: garden and danced around the lifeless figure, God's life-giving power, 78 00:07:01,700 --> 00:07:07,430 Speaker 1: the Ruach, blew into his nostrils. The man's chest rose, 79 00:07:08,410 --> 00:07:13,770 Speaker 1: and then he exhaled his first breath. He opened his 80 00:07:14,050 --> 00:07:19,010 Speaker 1: eyes to see the radiant garden glowing with color and life. 81 00:07:20,970 --> 00:07:24,770 Speaker 1: He looked around and beheld the trees and every creature 82 00:07:24,870 --> 00:07:30,460 Speaker 1: looking down on him from above. He turned, feeling the 83 00:07:30,520 --> 00:07:38,370 Speaker 1: dirt underneath his toes. Then he heard a voice speak. Adam. 84 00:07:39,450 --> 00:07:46,270 Speaker 1: It was his name and his identity. He was the man, 85 00:07:47,310 --> 00:07:54,000 Speaker 1: the image-bearer of the Creator, stamped with someone divine and 86 00:07:54,120 --> 00:07:59,750 Speaker 1: filled with the breath of life. Here I am Adam 87 00:07:59,790 --> 00:08:05,330 Speaker 1: said gently. The sound of his voice surprised him. He 88 00:08:05,350 --> 00:08:08,150 Speaker 1: looked around to make sure it wasn't someone else speaking. 89 00:08:10,110 --> 00:08:15,390 Speaker 1: He looked at his hands, arms, and feet. Here I am! 90 00:08:16,300 --> 00:08:22,720 Speaker 1: Adam took a step forward, feeling every sensation of existence simultaneously. 91 00:08:24,340 --> 00:08:28,320 Speaker 1: He felt the earth underneath him, the excitement of what 92 00:08:28,380 --> 00:08:33,050 Speaker 1: was before him, and the awe of what was above him. 93 00:08:35,309 --> 00:08:39,570 Speaker 1: He walked between the trees, exploring the boundaries of his 94 00:08:39,630 --> 00:08:44,750 Speaker 1: new home. It was a garden set upon a high place, 95 00:08:45,620 --> 00:08:53,760 Speaker 1: teeming with vibrant life and vibrating with possibilities. Cascading falls 96 00:08:53,900 --> 00:08:59,980 Speaker 1: fell majestically, splitting the earth and flowing downward into great rivers. 97 00:09:02,230 --> 00:09:06,390 Speaker 1: Adam followed the water upward. Something caught his eye. 98 00:09:07,250 --> 00:09:08,090 Speaker 2: What's up there? 99 00:09:08,750 --> 00:09:11,829 Speaker 1: He was drawn to a light emanating from the peak 100 00:09:11,870 --> 00:09:16,420 Speaker 1: of the falls. He grabbed onto the stones next to 101 00:09:16,480 --> 00:09:22,120 Speaker 1: the falls and climbed up. The waterfall was powerful, nearly 102 00:09:22,240 --> 00:09:27,760 Speaker 1: blowing Adam off the rocks. But he persisted, air dripping 103 00:09:27,840 --> 00:09:34,150 Speaker 1: with water and determinations. he finally summited the falls and 104 00:09:34,210 --> 00:09:39,429 Speaker 1: looked at the source of light. There, at the top 105 00:09:39,470 --> 00:09:44,290 Speaker 1: of Eden, was a tree, growing above all the rest. 106 00:09:45,740 --> 00:09:49,960 Speaker 1: Its branches stretched out beyond the clouds, and its roots 107 00:09:50,040 --> 00:09:57,000 Speaker 1: spread throughout the forest. It pulsed with power. It was 108 00:09:57,059 --> 00:10:02,660 Speaker 1: the Tree of Life. The entire garden seemed to hum 109 00:10:02,960 --> 00:10:07,840 Speaker 1: to its heartbeat. Its fruit hung elegantly from its branches. 110 00:10:08,960 --> 00:10:14,059 Speaker 1: Light and sound circled it, then left in a breeze 111 00:10:14,100 --> 00:10:16,600 Speaker 1: to adorn the rest of the garden in splendor. 112 00:10:17,160 --> 00:10:19,100 Speaker 2: Look around you, Adam. 113 00:10:19,820 --> 00:10:22,780 Speaker 1: The tree of life pulsed with the sound of God's voice. 114 00:10:24,640 --> 00:10:28,979 Speaker 1: Adam surveyed the garden. He saw birds flying above the 115 00:10:29,020 --> 00:10:33,280 Speaker 1: treetops and heard the sounds of creatures crying from below. 116 00:10:33,900 --> 00:10:38,120 Speaker 2: Everything here is yours to enjoy. You may eat of 117 00:10:38,420 --> 00:10:43,630 Speaker 2: every fruit in this garden. Be filled to your heart's content. 118 00:10:44,230 --> 00:10:49,720 Speaker 1: Adam's eyes were shining with possibilities. He saw the fruit 119 00:10:49,780 --> 00:10:54,340 Speaker 1: of the trees and the soil's potential to grow new things. 120 00:10:56,220 --> 00:11:00,380 Speaker 1: He plucked a berry, rolled it between his fingers, and 121 00:11:00,480 --> 00:11:05,570 Speaker 1: pressed it enough to squeeze the juice out. He examined 122 00:11:05,610 --> 00:11:08,730 Speaker 1: it and then held it to his mouth to taste. 123 00:11:10,690 --> 00:11:14,490 Speaker 1: The sweetness lit up his brain, and he could feel 124 00:11:14,550 --> 00:11:20,770 Speaker 1: his body receiving it with gladness. He scaled the slope 125 00:11:20,840 --> 00:11:24,200 Speaker 1: leading to another section of the garden. He pressed his 126 00:11:24,240 --> 00:11:28,020 Speaker 1: hands against the damp moss and held his nose to 127 00:11:28,040 --> 00:11:33,240 Speaker 1: the blooming flowers. A rustling in the bushes startled Adam. 128 00:11:34,120 --> 00:11:39,160 Speaker 1: He stepped back, poised to run. From the tall ferns 129 00:11:39,360 --> 00:11:45,520 Speaker 1: emerged a stag. Its antler stood proudly atop its head 130 00:11:45,900 --> 00:11:49,010 Speaker 1: like a crown. Adam laughed at. 131 00:11:48,970 --> 00:11:51,939 Speaker 2: The sight of him Hello there. Who are you? 132 00:11:52,760 --> 00:11:57,820 Speaker 1: The two circled each other curiously. The stag bowed its head, 133 00:11:58,240 --> 00:12:02,100 Speaker 1: stomped its hooves, and then pranced away into the forest. 134 00:12:03,490 --> 00:12:07,310 Speaker 1: Adam ran after it, feeling the muscles in his legs 135 00:12:07,390 --> 00:12:12,170 Speaker 1: extend and contract. He felt the resistance of the earth 136 00:12:12,250 --> 00:12:16,949 Speaker 1: below and the rising of his heartbeat. It was all 137 00:12:17,070 --> 00:12:24,010 Speaker 1: new and exciting. The stag was in view. Adam leaped 138 00:12:24,110 --> 00:12:29,640 Speaker 1: over a stream and dodged some low hanging branches. He 139 00:12:29,740 --> 00:12:32,880 Speaker 1: slid through the dirt and water, rounded the corner of 140 00:12:32,900 --> 00:12:36,340 Speaker 1: the path, and then stopped immediately when he reached the 141 00:12:36,400 --> 00:12:42,580 Speaker 1: shadow of another large tree. Its trunk was thick and braided, 142 00:12:43,380 --> 00:12:48,690 Speaker 1: like serpents coiled around each other. The branches shot outward 143 00:12:49,010 --> 00:12:54,699 Speaker 1: and down making its fruit low for picking. The fruit 144 00:12:54,940 --> 00:13:00,580 Speaker 1: was a deep crimson and perfect for one's palm. Adam 145 00:13:00,820 --> 00:13:04,360 Speaker 1: was drawn to it, but terrified by it at the 146 00:13:04,420 --> 00:13:09,380 Speaker 1: same time. His body tensed with every step as he 147 00:13:09,480 --> 00:13:10,610 Speaker 1: inched closer to it. 148 00:13:11,120 --> 00:13:12,710 Speaker 2: Every fruit of the tree, right? 149 00:13:13,330 --> 00:13:15,450 Speaker 1: Adam reached out his hand to touch the fruit. 150 00:13:15,850 --> 00:13:20,620 Speaker 2: This is the tree of knowledge. The knowledge of good 151 00:13:21,500 --> 00:13:22,460 Speaker 2: and evil. 152 00:13:23,040 --> 00:13:26,140 Speaker 1: God's voice rushed through the forest like an evening wind. 153 00:13:27,500 --> 00:13:29,160 Speaker 1: Adam recoiled and listened. 154 00:13:29,880 --> 00:13:33,920 Speaker 2: You may eat of every tree in this garden, but 155 00:13:33,960 --> 00:13:38,190 Speaker 2: the tree of knowledge of good and evil you shall 156 00:13:38,290 --> 00:13:42,949 Speaker 2: never eat. What will happen if I do? Knowledge of evil, 157 00:13:43,830 --> 00:13:49,400 Speaker 2: which leads to evil, which leads to death. The end 158 00:13:49,780 --> 00:13:53,910 Speaker 2: of life. If you eat of that tree, you will 159 00:13:54,070 --> 00:13:55,130 Speaker 2: surely die. 160 00:13:55,630 --> 00:14:00,090 Speaker 1: Before Adam was a choice. He could freely take the 161 00:14:00,130 --> 00:14:05,020 Speaker 1: tree of life, nourishing himself with God's eternal and abiding love. 162 00:14:06,620 --> 00:14:09,380 Speaker 1: He could live under the comforting canopy of the Creator, 163 00:14:10,200 --> 00:14:14,080 Speaker 1: obeying Him and partnering with Him to cultivate the earth. 164 00:14:16,429 --> 00:14:20,850 Speaker 1: Or he could reach for the tree of knowledge. He 165 00:14:20,890 --> 00:14:25,810 Speaker 1: could awaken his mind to the possibility of evil. He 166 00:14:25,850 --> 00:14:30,610 Speaker 1: could seize autonomy for himself and live apart from God. 167 00:14:32,150 --> 00:14:37,450 Speaker 1: The choice was his. God wouldn't force him to climb 168 00:14:37,490 --> 00:14:43,030 Speaker 1: the hill and access eternal life. Nor would he stop 169 00:14:43,050 --> 00:14:48,310 Speaker 1: him from grasping at sin. even if it meant separation 170 00:14:48,930 --> 00:14:55,870 Speaker 1: from all things good. Life was new to Adam, so 171 00:14:55,890 --> 00:15:01,480 Speaker 1: the concept of death was strange. Yet if God was 172 00:15:01,560 --> 00:15:06,180 Speaker 1: the creator of life and all the beauty displayed before him, 173 00:15:07,500 --> 00:15:14,110 Speaker 1: Adam trusted that God's word was true. Adam looked back 174 00:15:14,150 --> 00:15:17,720 Speaker 1: at the tree, Something caught the corner of his eye. 175 00:15:18,800 --> 00:15:23,380 Speaker 1: He peered closer but saw nothing. He could have sworn 176 00:15:23,440 --> 00:15:28,920 Speaker 1: he saw a part of the trunk moving. He took 177 00:15:29,000 --> 00:15:34,670 Speaker 1: God at his word and stepped away. Adam followed the 178 00:15:34,710 --> 00:15:38,950 Speaker 1: stag's tracks to a clearing in the trees. The stag 179 00:15:38,970 --> 00:15:43,290 Speaker 1: was drinking from the stream. Just as Adam was about 180 00:15:43,330 --> 00:15:47,950 Speaker 1: to approach it, he saw another deer approach, a doe 181 00:15:48,740 --> 00:15:52,479 Speaker 1: with glistening eyes and a playful wag of its tail. 182 00:15:54,580 --> 00:15:59,520 Speaker 1: The stag perked at her presence and approached. They circled 183 00:15:59,600 --> 00:16:05,610 Speaker 1: each other playfully, then dipped their heads to touch. They 184 00:16:05,670 --> 00:16:10,910 Speaker 1: drank side by side, then pranced around each other and 185 00:16:10,990 --> 00:16:17,910 Speaker 1: back into the forest. Adam smiled and frowned in confusion. 186 00:16:19,900 --> 00:16:24,820 Speaker 1: He felt a lack, an ache in his heart. 187 00:16:25,660 --> 00:16:27,940 Speaker 2: It is not good for man to be alone. I 188 00:16:28,700 --> 00:16:32,920 Speaker 2: will find a companion suitable for him. One to contend with, 189 00:16:33,670 --> 00:16:39,690 Speaker 2: grow with, and multiply with. One to help, love, and 190 00:16:39,750 --> 00:16:41,430 Speaker 2: be loved in return. 191 00:16:43,350 --> 00:16:47,350 Speaker 1: Adam ran through the meadows and under the trees, prancing 192 00:16:47,390 --> 00:16:52,460 Speaker 1: with deer and rolling around with wolf cubs. He studied 193 00:16:52,650 --> 00:16:57,500 Speaker 1: each bird by its song and feather. He understood why 194 00:16:57,680 --> 00:17:01,800 Speaker 1: some fish swam upstream while others remained at the banks 195 00:17:01,920 --> 00:17:07,959 Speaker 1: of the ponds. All the creatures had companions, those to 196 00:17:08,000 --> 00:17:14,119 Speaker 1: multiply with and sing the song of creation. Adam's heart 197 00:17:14,440 --> 00:17:21,360 Speaker 1: kept aching, yearning for someone like that. That night Adam 198 00:17:21,440 --> 00:17:25,619 Speaker 1: rested on a grassy hill underneath the stars, the garden 199 00:17:25,680 --> 00:17:31,070 Speaker 1: mist hovering above, weaving through the trees like wandering ghosts. 200 00:17:33,150 --> 00:17:37,649 Speaker 1: Adam looked up, pondering his future, the purpose he had 201 00:17:37,690 --> 00:17:44,440 Speaker 1: been crafted for. A warm breeze enveloped the valley causing 202 00:17:44,480 --> 00:17:49,740 Speaker 1: the grass to sway. God put Adam's mind at ease 203 00:17:50,580 --> 00:17:54,280 Speaker 1: and cradled him to sleep with a warm breeze and 204 00:17:54,359 --> 00:18:02,139 Speaker 1: soothing lullaby of swaying grass and crickets. That night, God 205 00:18:02,280 --> 00:18:07,020 Speaker 1: opened Adam's side as if making an incision with a 206 00:18:07,080 --> 00:18:18,160 Speaker 1: divine blade, carefully, thoughtfully, lovingly God removed a rib from Adam. 207 00:18:20,200 --> 00:18:23,100 Speaker 1: He didn't take a bone from his foot or a 208 00:18:23,160 --> 00:18:28,350 Speaker 1: piece of his head. He took a rib, desiring to 209 00:18:28,470 --> 00:18:33,430 Speaker 1: craft a companion to walk with him, not under him 210 00:18:34,210 --> 00:18:40,870 Speaker 1: or above him, but beside him. God closed Adam's side 211 00:18:40,930 --> 00:18:44,530 Speaker 1: and then used the rib to create a new life 212 00:18:46,760 --> 00:18:54,080 Speaker 1: Flesh sprouted forth from bone like vines around branches. God's 213 00:18:54,180 --> 00:18:59,330 Speaker 1: glorious light danced around it as bone begat bone and 214 00:18:59,440 --> 00:19:07,970 Speaker 1: flesh grew on flesh. Elegantly and masterfully, God fashioned a 215 00:19:08,109 --> 00:19:14,950 Speaker 1: woman and placed her gently beside Adam. She lay peacefully 216 00:19:15,670 --> 00:19:20,560 Speaker 1: and still in the tall grass. The breeze lifted her 217 00:19:20,640 --> 00:19:29,240 Speaker 1: hair over her face. Gently, silently, God breathed life into 218 00:19:29,330 --> 00:19:36,790 Speaker 1: her as well. Her chest rose, and she exhaled. She 219 00:19:36,850 --> 00:19:44,290 Speaker 1: was alive. The light touched Adam's cheek. His eyes opened slowly, 220 00:19:45,390 --> 00:19:50,280 Speaker 1: then closed again. He opened them again in shock. and 221 00:19:50,359 --> 00:19:57,060 Speaker 1: sprang back. Another creature was beside him, sleeping soundly on 222 00:19:57,080 --> 00:20:01,480 Speaker 1: the soft earth. The woman opened her eyes and looked around. 223 00:20:02,609 --> 00:20:08,390 Speaker 1: Her eyes were filled with awe and curiosity. Adam stared 224 00:20:08,450 --> 00:20:12,820 Speaker 1: at her closely. She wasn't like the fawn or the 225 00:20:12,880 --> 00:20:20,440 Speaker 1: birds of the air. She was like him. Adam approached slowly. 226 00:20:22,060 --> 00:20:27,850 Speaker 1: She propped herself up and stood across from him. They 227 00:20:27,970 --> 00:20:34,730 Speaker 1: circled each other playfully, mirroring each other's movements. Adam stepped 228 00:20:34,750 --> 00:20:38,300 Speaker 1: to the side quickly. She stepped to the other side. 229 00:20:40,180 --> 00:20:46,620 Speaker 1: Adam smiled, then spun around. She mirrored his movement, returning 230 00:20:46,660 --> 00:20:53,290 Speaker 1: his smile, but with far more grace. Adam jumped up 231 00:20:53,369 --> 00:20:57,550 Speaker 1: and rolled down the grassy hill. Flower petals sprang up 232 00:20:57,609 --> 00:21:02,109 Speaker 1: behind him. The woman laughed and leaped after him. Adam 233 00:21:02,170 --> 00:21:06,220 Speaker 1: watched her hips and legs move. He watched her chest 234 00:21:06,320 --> 00:21:12,899 Speaker 1: rise and fall with each breath. She enraptured him. They 235 00:21:13,060 --> 00:21:18,170 Speaker 1: danced around each other, bodies inching closer and closer with 236 00:21:18,230 --> 00:21:25,189 Speaker 1: each spin. Finally, they stood face to face beside the waterfall. 237 00:21:26,590 --> 00:21:31,389 Speaker 1: The sound of rushing waters mixed with their breath. The 238 00:21:31,430 --> 00:21:34,710 Speaker 1: woman tilted her head at Adam and raised her hand 239 00:21:35,170 --> 00:21:41,540 Speaker 1: to his. He did the same. The two touched, fingers 240 00:21:41,940 --> 00:21:49,350 Speaker 1: intertwined in perfect connection. She looked at their hands, then 241 00:21:49,670 --> 00:21:54,950 Speaker 1: down at the water. She saw her reflection. She was 242 00:21:55,010 --> 00:22:00,830 Speaker 1: becoming aware of herself. Adam smiled tenderly at her. 243 00:22:01,330 --> 00:22:02,320 Speaker 2: You're like me. 244 00:22:02,840 --> 00:22:06,900 Speaker 1: He was certain she was like him, but unsure who 245 00:22:07,160 --> 00:22:11,929 Speaker 1: he was. He held a hand to his side and 246 00:22:11,990 --> 00:22:15,350 Speaker 1: touched the scar where God had taken his rib. 247 00:22:15,830 --> 00:22:17,690 Speaker 2: You're from me. 248 00:22:18,390 --> 00:22:26,179 Speaker 1: She looked at him with bright and knowing eyes. The 249 00:22:26,240 --> 00:22:29,459 Speaker 1: wind from the rushing waterfall pushed her hair to the side. 250 00:22:30,680 --> 00:22:33,060 Speaker 1: Adam sang to her beside the falls. 251 00:22:33,840 --> 00:22:37,740 Speaker 3: You're bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh. 252 00:22:38,380 --> 00:22:42,510 Speaker 2: You're part of me, from me, and with me. 253 00:22:42,530 --> 00:22:46,350 Speaker 3: I'm a man and you're a woman. 254 00:22:47,290 --> 00:22:51,470 Speaker 1: Adam ran a hand through her hair and touched her cheek. Eve. 255 00:22:52,450 --> 00:22:56,780 Speaker 1: She leaned closer to him and he to her. They 256 00:22:56,859 --> 00:23:01,880 Speaker 1: embraced each other in the safety of the garden. They 257 00:23:01,940 --> 00:23:08,080 Speaker 1: were naked. and unashamed. Nothing separated them from each other. 258 00:23:09,400 --> 00:23:15,050 Speaker 1: No lies, no fear, nothing to be hidden or withheld. 259 00:23:17,109 --> 00:23:21,270 Speaker 1: Their bodies intertwined in the flowers and beside the rushing waters. 260 00:23:23,510 --> 00:23:29,970 Speaker 1: Adam was no longer alone. He had a companion, a friend, 261 00:23:31,070 --> 00:23:37,629 Speaker 1: a helper, the two would walk side by side, filling 262 00:23:37,730 --> 00:23:48,020 Speaker 1: God's creation with more image-bearers. All seemed perfect, good, just 263 00:23:48,160 --> 00:23:49,840 Speaker 1: as God intended. 264 00:23:53,980 --> 00:23:57,000 Speaker 4: It has been said, anyone who divorces his wife must 265 00:23:57,080 --> 00:24:00,410 Speaker 4: give her a certificate of divorce. But I tell you 266 00:24:00,450 --> 00:24:04,160 Speaker 4: that anyone who divorces his wife except for sexual immorality, 267 00:24:04,660 --> 00:24:08,010 Speaker 4: makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries 268 00:24:08,070 --> 00:24:12,950 Speaker 4: a divorced woman commits adultery. Jesus emphasizes the sanctity of 269 00:24:13,050 --> 00:24:17,800 Speaker 4: marriage and the gravity of divorce. In His time, divorce 270 00:24:17,820 --> 00:24:21,720 Speaker 4: had become too casual, with men often dismissing their wives 271 00:24:21,760 --> 00:24:25,619 Speaker 4: for trivial reasons like overcooking the roast once too many times. 272 00:24:26,550 --> 00:24:30,400 Speaker 4: That isn't a joke either. Since the law of Moses 273 00:24:30,440 --> 00:24:33,730 Speaker 4: gave certain provisions for divorce as long as they went 274 00:24:33,770 --> 00:24:37,730 Speaker 4: through the proper process, people had no qualms ending their 275 00:24:37,750 --> 00:24:42,510 Speaker 4: marriages over silly and frankly stupid things. Jesus reminds us 276 00:24:42,570 --> 00:24:46,409 Speaker 4: that marriage is a sacred covenant before God, intended to 277 00:24:46,450 --> 00:24:51,320 Speaker 4: be lifelong and unbreakable. He underscores that the only legitimate 278 00:24:51,359 --> 00:24:55,740 Speaker 4: ground for divorce is sexual immorality, highlighting the importance of 279 00:24:55,840 --> 00:25:00,270 Speaker 4: faithfulness and commitment in marriage. Marriage is meant to be 280 00:25:00,310 --> 00:25:04,950 Speaker 4: an enduring call to devotion and resilience, withstanding the storms 281 00:25:04,990 --> 00:25:08,960 Speaker 4: of life. Now, if you've been married for long enough, 282 00:25:09,640 --> 00:25:12,100 Speaker 4: you know that marriage is not for the faint of heart. 283 00:25:13,000 --> 00:25:16,699 Speaker 4: Marriage is two imperfect people with their own wills and 284 00:25:16,840 --> 00:25:22,100 Speaker 4: desires contending for something greater than themselves. The story of 285 00:25:22,300 --> 00:25:25,890 Speaker 4: Adam and Eve provides the foundation for understanding the sacred 286 00:25:25,970 --> 00:25:30,600 Speaker 4: nature of marriage. In Genesis chapter 2, we see the 287 00:25:30,660 --> 00:25:34,350 Speaker 4: creation of the first man and woman and the establishment 288 00:25:34,430 --> 00:25:39,770 Speaker 4: of the marriage covenant. Genesis chapter 2 verses 21 through 289 00:25:39,770 --> 00:25:44,330 Speaker 4: 24 describes the creation of Eve. So the Lord God 290 00:25:44,410 --> 00:25:47,100 Speaker 4: caused the man to fall into a deep sleep, and 291 00:25:47,130 --> 00:25:49,280 Speaker 4: while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's 292 00:25:49,359 --> 00:25:53,440 Speaker 4: ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. Then 293 00:25:53,560 --> 00:25:55,560 Speaker 4: the Lord God made a woman from the rib he 294 00:25:55,580 --> 00:25:57,780 Speaker 4: had taken out of the man, and he brought her 295 00:25:57,820 --> 00:26:01,619 Speaker 4: to the man. The man said, This is now bone 296 00:26:01,650 --> 00:26:04,840 Speaker 4: of my bones and flesh of my flesh. She shall 297 00:26:04,880 --> 00:26:08,040 Speaker 4: be called woman, for she was taken out of man. 298 00:26:09,220 --> 00:26:11,280 Speaker 4: And that is why a man leaves his father and 299 00:26:11,320 --> 00:26:14,399 Speaker 4: mother and is united to his wife, and they become 300 00:26:14,580 --> 00:26:19,600 Speaker 4: one flesh. Marriage, as depicted here, is a divine union 301 00:26:19,700 --> 00:26:23,540 Speaker 4: where two souls are mingled to cultivate love and safety. 302 00:26:24,920 --> 00:26:29,590 Speaker 4: Eve was created from Adam's rib, symbolizing equality and companionship. 303 00:26:31,130 --> 00:26:33,869 Speaker 4: She wasn't taken from his head to dominate him or 304 00:26:34,170 --> 00:26:36,970 Speaker 4: from his feet to be trampled by him, but from 305 00:26:37,010 --> 00:26:40,170 Speaker 4: his side to walk alongside him as an equal partner 306 00:26:40,570 --> 00:26:46,100 Speaker 4: and co-image-bearer of God. Marriage is a divine union established 307 00:26:46,190 --> 00:26:51,500 Speaker 4: by God where two individuals become one flesh. This union 308 00:26:51,580 --> 00:26:55,760 Speaker 4: is meant to be a lifelong commitment, reflecting God's covenantal 309 00:26:55,820 --> 00:26:59,639 Speaker 4: love with His people One flesh means that when you 310 00:26:59,660 --> 00:27:03,000 Speaker 4: get married, you see the other person as equally important 311 00:27:03,119 --> 00:27:06,820 Speaker 4: to yourself. They're a part of you, and their well-being 312 00:27:06,859 --> 00:27:10,760 Speaker 4: is now chain-linked to yours. To love them well is 313 00:27:10,900 --> 00:27:15,100 Speaker 4: to love yourself well. We see this in Paul's encouragement 314 00:27:15,119 --> 00:27:20,740 Speaker 4: to husbands in Ephesians 5, verses 28-29. He writes this 315 00:27:20,810 --> 00:27:24,630 Speaker 4: to husbands. In the same way, husbands ought to love 316 00:27:24,650 --> 00:27:27,810 Speaker 4: their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his 317 00:27:27,890 --> 00:27:32,030 Speaker 4: wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated their 318 00:27:32,150 --> 00:27:35,119 Speaker 4: own body, but they feed and care for their body, 319 00:27:35,580 --> 00:27:39,580 Speaker 4: just as Christ does the church. Marriage is also an 320 00:27:39,740 --> 00:27:45,949 Speaker 4: equal partnership. Eve's creation from Adam's rib highlights this. Husbands 321 00:27:45,990 --> 00:27:49,250 Speaker 4: and wives are called to walk side by side, supporting 322 00:27:49,310 --> 00:27:53,790 Speaker 4: and loving each other as equals. Rifts in marriage can 323 00:27:53,850 --> 00:27:58,210 Speaker 4: occur when one person's needs dominate over the other's. In 324 00:27:58,230 --> 00:28:01,979 Speaker 4: a marriage, both parties must engage in selfless devotion to 325 00:28:02,040 --> 00:28:07,179 Speaker 4: ensure the other is honored, loved, and nurtured. Marriage is 326 00:28:07,340 --> 00:28:10,800 Speaker 4: also designed to be a relationship where love and safety 327 00:28:10,920 --> 00:28:15,570 Speaker 4: are cultivated. It's a sanctuary where both partners can grow 328 00:28:15,619 --> 00:28:20,370 Speaker 4: and flourish, supporting each other through life's challenges. The entrance 329 00:28:20,430 --> 00:28:24,109 Speaker 4: of sin in Genesis chapter 3 disrupted the harmony of 330 00:28:24,150 --> 00:28:29,440 Speaker 4: the first marriage. Adam and Eve's disobedience introduced shame, blame, 331 00:28:29,500 --> 00:28:33,919 Speaker 4: and brokenness into their relationship. When sin enters a marriage, 332 00:28:34,359 --> 00:28:39,360 Speaker 4: it brings division and hurt. Genesis chapter 3 verses 12 333 00:28:39,360 --> 00:28:43,790 Speaker 4: and 13 shows the blame game. The man said, The 334 00:28:43,830 --> 00:28:46,290 Speaker 4: woman you put here with me, she gave me some 335 00:28:46,350 --> 00:28:49,290 Speaker 4: fruit from the tree, and I ate it. Then the 336 00:28:49,330 --> 00:28:51,630 Speaker 4: Lord God said to the woman, What is this you 337 00:28:51,650 --> 00:28:55,440 Speaker 4: have done? The woman said, The serpent deceived me, and 338 00:28:55,520 --> 00:28:59,640 Speaker 4: I ate. Their unity was fractured as they shifted blame 339 00:28:59,810 --> 00:29:05,170 Speaker 4: instead of taking responsibility. This teaches us that sin not 340 00:29:05,270 --> 00:29:08,850 Speaker 4: only affects our relationship with God, but also with each other. 341 00:29:10,330 --> 00:29:13,930 Speaker 4: To preserve the sanctity of marriage, we must guard against 342 00:29:14,070 --> 00:29:20,100 Speaker 4: sin and seek reconciliation and forgiveness. So, how do we 343 00:29:20,220 --> 00:29:24,640 Speaker 4: uphold the sacredness of marriage? It begins with a commitment 344 00:29:24,680 --> 00:29:28,860 Speaker 4: to faithfulness. We must be committed to faithfulness in our marriages, 345 00:29:29,260 --> 00:29:33,830 Speaker 4: honoring our vows and working through difficulties with grace and patience. 346 00:29:34,870 --> 00:29:39,370 Speaker 4: It requires mutual respect and love. Husbands and wives should 347 00:29:39,450 --> 00:29:43,310 Speaker 4: trust each other. with respect and love, recognizing each other 348 00:29:43,430 --> 00:29:48,390 Speaker 4: as equals and partners in God's purpose. It is often 349 00:29:48,490 --> 00:29:53,660 Speaker 4: said that men require respect and women require love. I 350 00:29:53,670 --> 00:29:56,600 Speaker 4: would submit to you that both men and women need 351 00:29:56,660 --> 00:30:00,020 Speaker 4: love although one gender might skew a bit in one 352 00:30:00,040 --> 00:30:04,830 Speaker 4: direction over the other. We must also guard against sin. 353 00:30:05,530 --> 00:30:08,530 Speaker 4: We must guard our marriages against the intrusion of sin 354 00:30:08,870 --> 00:30:14,230 Speaker 4: by maintaining open communication, practicing forgiveness, and seeking God's guidance. 355 00:30:15,040 --> 00:30:20,200 Speaker 4: Our marriages should reflect God's unconditional love and commitment. By 356 00:30:20,300 --> 00:30:24,160 Speaker 4: loving and serving our spouses, we bear witness to God's 357 00:30:24,240 --> 00:30:28,310 Speaker 4: love for His church. As we reflect on Jesus' words 358 00:30:28,390 --> 00:30:32,740 Speaker 4: in Matthew 5, verses 31 and 32, and the story 359 00:30:32,780 --> 00:30:35,740 Speaker 4: of Adam and Eve, let us be reminded of the 360 00:30:35,840 --> 00:30:40,240 Speaker 4: sacred nature of marriage. May we uphold the sanctity of 361 00:30:40,280 --> 00:30:45,400 Speaker 4: this divine union, treating our spouses with love, respect, and equality. 362 00:30:46,380 --> 00:30:49,920 Speaker 4: Let us guard our hearts and our marriages against sin, 363 00:30:50,560 --> 00:30:55,100 Speaker 4: striving to reflect God's love in our relationships. striving to 364 00:30:55,240 --> 00:30:58,660 Speaker 4: reflect God's love in all of our communications with one another. 365 00:30:59,580 --> 00:31:02,120 Speaker 4: Let us pray for the strength and the wisdom to 366 00:31:02,220 --> 00:31:05,440 Speaker 4: honor the covenant of marriage as true citizens of heaven. 367 00:31:06,420 --> 00:31:09,660 Speaker 4: In our next episode, we'll talk about commitment and the 368 00:31:09,740 --> 00:31:15,360 Speaker 4: foolishness of making rash oaths. You know what to do, friends. Follow, share, 369 00:31:15,440 --> 00:31:19,440 Speaker 4: and leave a review. For more daily prayers, sermons, and 370 00:31:19,580 --> 00:31:23,640 Speaker 4: wisdom to last a lifetime, download the Pray.com app today.