1 00:00:00,970 --> 00:00:05,130 Speaker 1: So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What 2 00:00:05,190 --> 00:00:10,539 Speaker 1: therefore God has joined together, let no man separate. Matthew 3 00:00:10,539 --> 00:00:17,420 Speaker 1: 19.6 Heavenly Father, our hearts are filled with reverence for 4 00:00:17,460 --> 00:00:23,349 Speaker 1: the sacred bond of marriage. This divine union, designed by You, 5 00:00:24,730 --> 00:00:27,090 Speaker 1: calls us not only to a commitment to one another, 6 00:00:28,500 --> 00:00:35,200 Speaker 1: but also reflects your steadfast devotion to us. Inspire us 7 00:00:35,300 --> 00:00:39,920 Speaker 1: to mirror your unwavering love and faithfulness in our relationships. 8 00:00:42,040 --> 00:00:46,980 Speaker 1: Help us to honor and cherish our partners, showing the 9 00:00:47,040 --> 00:00:51,360 Speaker 1: same kind of selfless love and grace you extend to 10 00:00:51,520 --> 00:00:57,960 Speaker 1: us daily. May our devotion to one another be a testament, 11 00:00:58,310 --> 00:01:03,410 Speaker 1: to your love, a beacon of hope and stability in 12 00:01:03,430 --> 00:01:10,050 Speaker 1: a world where commitments are often taken lightly. Strengthen our bonds, 13 00:01:10,350 --> 00:01:15,330 Speaker 1: O God, that we might withstand the trials and tribulations 14 00:01:15,410 --> 00:01:22,649 Speaker 1: of life together. Teach us to communicate with kindness, to 15 00:01:22,690 --> 00:01:30,319 Speaker 1: forgive generously, and to support each other unconditionally. Let our 16 00:01:30,420 --> 00:01:35,240 Speaker 1: love be a living example of your eternal covenant with us, 17 00:01:36,240 --> 00:01:42,360 Speaker 1: marked by loyalty, respect, and a deep commitment that reflects 18 00:01:42,400 --> 00:01:47,830 Speaker 1: the very nature of your devotion. In the name of Jesus, 19 00:01:48,830 --> 00:01:52,850 Speaker 1: who shows us the perfect way of love, we pray. 20 00:01:55,210 --> 00:01:55,529 Speaker 2: Amen. 21 00:01:58,110 --> 00:02:01,800 Speaker 1: Thank you for praying with me today You're listening to 22 00:02:01,820 --> 00:02:07,400 Speaker 1: the Jesus Podcast. Stick around for another dramatic saga inspired 23 00:02:07,440 --> 00:02:11,779 Speaker 1: by the Sermon on the Mount. We've enjoyed this podcast 24 00:02:12,380 --> 00:02:16,450 Speaker 1: and want to continue. Be sure to rate, subscribe, and 25 00:02:16,510 --> 00:02:21,530 Speaker 1: leave a review so we can continue reaching people. Thanks 26 00:02:22,250 --> 00:02:29,970 Speaker 1: for making the mission possible. Jesus' words weren't meant to 27 00:02:30,010 --> 00:02:36,070 Speaker 1: be comfortable. They were meant to bring peace, hope, and transformation. 28 00:02:37,630 --> 00:02:43,240 Speaker 1: Such things aren't gained through comfort and ease. Jesus raised 29 00:02:43,280 --> 00:02:49,720 Speaker 1: the standard beyond mindless adherence to laws. He was after 30 00:02:49,760 --> 00:02:54,480 Speaker 1: the heart. He didn't just call people not to murder. 31 00:02:55,740 --> 00:02:59,660 Speaker 1: He wanted to root out their anger. He didn't just 32 00:02:59,700 --> 00:03:06,570 Speaker 1: decry adultery. He called people to purify their thoughts. Christ 33 00:03:06,650 --> 00:03:12,140 Speaker 1: wanted people's hearts. And what better way to refine one's 34 00:03:12,180 --> 00:03:14,600 Speaker 1: heart than marriage? 35 00:03:15,600 --> 00:03:19,080 Speaker 3: You have heard it said, whoever divorces his wife, let 36 00:03:19,120 --> 00:03:22,020 Speaker 3: him give her a divorce certificate. But I say to 37 00:03:22,060 --> 00:03:25,630 Speaker 3: you that everyone who divorces his wife except on the 38 00:03:25,669 --> 00:03:30,870 Speaker 3: grounds of sexual immorality makes her commit adultery. and whoever 39 00:03:30,930 --> 00:03:34,400 Speaker 3: marries a divorced woman commits adultery. 40 00:03:34,840 --> 00:03:37,880 Speaker 1: His words sent chills up the spines of everyone present. 41 00:03:39,260 --> 00:03:43,140 Speaker 1: They weren't easy words to hear. They raised the standard 42 00:03:43,980 --> 00:03:46,920 Speaker 1: and revealed Christ's view of sanctity of marriage. 43 00:03:47,560 --> 00:03:50,630 Speaker 3: Have you not read that he who created them from 44 00:03:50,670 --> 00:03:55,390 Speaker 3: the beginning made them male and female and said, Therefore 45 00:03:55,410 --> 00:03:58,690 Speaker 3: a man shall leave his father and his mother and 46 00:03:58,790 --> 00:04:02,220 Speaker 3: hold fast to his wife And the two shall become 47 00:04:02,860 --> 00:04:07,540 Speaker 3: one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one. 48 00:04:08,340 --> 00:04:11,720 Speaker 3: What God has joined together, let. 49 00:04:11,560 --> 00:04:14,040 Speaker 1: No man separate. 50 00:04:17,430 --> 00:04:22,169 Speaker 4: Marriage is a calling. A calling of love, devotion, and resilience. 51 00:04:22,970 --> 00:04:25,750 Speaker 4: But it's also an image. An image of a love 52 00:04:25,940 --> 00:04:29,859 Speaker 4: greater than ourselves. A devotion more powerful. and a strength 53 00:04:29,980 --> 00:04:34,280 Speaker 4: more enduring than our own. Welcome to the Jesus Podcast. 54 00:04:34,720 --> 00:04:38,760 Speaker 4: I'm Ethan with Pray.com. We've been going through a series 55 00:04:38,820 --> 00:04:41,590 Speaker 4: on the Sermon on the Mount. We've been connecting the 56 00:04:41,670 --> 00:04:45,250 Speaker 4: teachings of Jesus to other biblical stories, showing how the 57 00:04:45,290 --> 00:04:50,330 Speaker 4: entire Bible speaks to itself, reaffirming timeless truths for us all. 58 00:04:51,130 --> 00:04:54,570 Speaker 4: If this podcast has blessed you, we would sincerely appreciate 59 00:04:54,610 --> 00:04:58,020 Speaker 4: a review. We love reading them and hearing how they've 60 00:04:58,120 --> 00:05:03,000 Speaker 4: impacted your faith. Today, we delve into another profound teaching 61 00:05:03,060 --> 00:05:06,550 Speaker 4: from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, found in Matthew 5, 62 00:05:06,550 --> 00:05:12,570 Speaker 4: verses 31-32. This passage addresses the sanctity of marriage and 63 00:05:12,610 --> 00:05:15,770 Speaker 4: the seriousness of divorce. We will connect it to the 64 00:05:15,810 --> 00:05:21,360 Speaker 4: story of Adam and Eve in Genesis 2-3, exploring the 65 00:05:21,420 --> 00:05:26,620 Speaker 4: original biblical intent of marriage and the impact of sin. Together, 66 00:05:27,050 --> 00:05:30,170 Speaker 4: will discover how to uphold the sacred nature of marriage 67 00:05:30,290 --> 00:05:30,930 Speaker 4: in our lives. 68 00:05:32,930 --> 00:05:37,530 Speaker 1: The light of dawn bounced off the morning mist. The 69 00:05:37,589 --> 00:05:42,750 Speaker 1: rays kissed the earth, awakening the flowers and creatures below. 70 00:05:44,800 --> 00:05:49,900 Speaker 1: Leaves dripped morning dew, falling gently onto the soft dirt. 71 00:05:52,220 --> 00:05:55,500 Speaker 1: It was from the dirt that God would craft his masterpiece. 72 00:05:57,990 --> 00:06:02,270 Speaker 1: The dirt began to stir, and the animals scurried and 73 00:06:02,330 --> 00:06:06,240 Speaker 1: watched from their burrows, waiting to see what would happen. 74 00:06:08,320 --> 00:06:12,380 Speaker 1: From the earthy clay, a figure began to take shape, 75 00:06:13,880 --> 00:06:19,130 Speaker 1: like a potter's vessel slowly forming on the wheel. The 76 00:06:19,250 --> 00:06:25,310 Speaker 1: earth spun to the sound of music. The creator's hands 77 00:06:25,450 --> 00:06:33,849 Speaker 1: moved precisely, crafting each detail with love and care. From 78 00:06:33,890 --> 00:06:39,950 Speaker 1: the earth, the first man emerged, a lifeless being of 79 00:06:40,100 --> 00:06:46,840 Speaker 1: dust and stone. He stood there, lifeless, an unoccupied body 80 00:06:47,620 --> 00:06:52,260 Speaker 1: in need of a soul. The wind whistled through the 81 00:06:52,300 --> 00:07:00,650 Speaker 1: garden and danced around the lifeless figure, God's life-giving power, 82 00:07:01,690 --> 00:07:07,410 Speaker 1: the Ruach, blew into his nostrils. The man's chest rose, 83 00:07:08,410 --> 00:07:13,750 Speaker 1: and then he exhaled his first breath. He opened his 84 00:07:14,030 --> 00:07:18,990 Speaker 1: eyes to see the radiant garden glowing with color and life. 85 00:07:20,950 --> 00:07:24,760 Speaker 1: He looked around and beheld the trees and every creature 86 00:07:24,880 --> 00:07:30,450 Speaker 1: looking down on him from above. He turned, feeling the 87 00:07:30,510 --> 00:07:38,370 Speaker 1: dirt underneath his toes. Then he heard a voice speak. Adam. 88 00:07:39,430 --> 00:07:46,260 Speaker 1: It was his name and his identity. He was the man, 89 00:07:47,300 --> 00:07:53,980 Speaker 1: the image-bearer of the Creator, stamped with someone divine and 90 00:07:54,100 --> 00:07:56,820 Speaker 1: filled with a breath of life. 91 00:07:57,840 --> 00:07:58,460 Speaker 2: Here I am. 92 00:07:59,510 --> 00:08:03,790 Speaker 1: Adam said gently. The sound of his voice surprised him. 93 00:08:05,230 --> 00:08:08,180 Speaker 1: He looked around to make sure it wasn't someone else speaking. 94 00:08:10,120 --> 00:08:15,340 Speaker 1: He looked at his hands, arms, and feet. Here I am! 95 00:08:16,280 --> 00:08:22,700 Speaker 1: Adam took a step forward, feeling every sensation of existence simultaneously. 96 00:08:24,320 --> 00:08:28,320 Speaker 1: He felt the earth underneath him, the excitement of what 97 00:08:28,380 --> 00:08:33,030 Speaker 1: was before him, and the awe of what was above him. 98 00:08:35,300 --> 00:08:39,580 Speaker 1: He walked between the trees, exploring the boundaries of his 99 00:08:39,640 --> 00:08:44,740 Speaker 1: new home. It was a garden set upon a high place, 100 00:08:45,600 --> 00:08:53,739 Speaker 1: teeming with vibrant life and vibrating with possibilities. Cascading falls 101 00:08:53,880 --> 00:08:59,960 Speaker 1: fell majestically, splitting the earth and flowing downward into great rivers. 102 00:09:02,210 --> 00:09:06,390 Speaker 1: Adam followed the water upward. Something caught his eye. 103 00:09:07,240 --> 00:09:08,099 Speaker 2: What's up there? 104 00:09:08,760 --> 00:09:11,819 Speaker 1: He was drawn to a light emanating from the peak 105 00:09:11,860 --> 00:09:16,420 Speaker 1: of the falls. He grabbed onto the stones next to 106 00:09:16,460 --> 00:09:22,120 Speaker 1: the falls and climbed up. The waterfall was powerful, nearly 107 00:09:22,220 --> 00:09:27,760 Speaker 1: blowing Adam off the rocks. But he persisted, air dripping 108 00:09:27,840 --> 00:09:34,160 Speaker 1: with water and determinations. he finally summited the falls and 109 00:09:34,200 --> 00:09:39,420 Speaker 1: looked at the source of life. There, at the top 110 00:09:39,480 --> 00:09:44,290 Speaker 1: of Eden, was a tree, growing above all the rest. 111 00:09:45,730 --> 00:09:49,950 Speaker 1: Its branches stretched out beyond the clouds, and its roots 112 00:09:50,030 --> 00:09:57,000 Speaker 1: spread throughout the forest. It pulsed with power. It was 113 00:09:57,059 --> 00:10:02,640 Speaker 1: the tree of life. The entire garden seemed to hum 114 00:10:02,940 --> 00:10:07,840 Speaker 1: to his heartbeat. Its fruit hung elegantly from its branches. 115 00:10:08,940 --> 00:10:14,040 Speaker 1: Light and sound circled it, then left in a breeze 116 00:10:14,100 --> 00:10:16,610 Speaker 1: to adorn the rest of the garden in splendor. 117 00:10:17,170 --> 00:10:19,110 Speaker 2: Look around you, Adam. 118 00:10:19,800 --> 00:10:22,770 Speaker 1: The tree of life pulsed with the sound of God's voice. 119 00:10:24,630 --> 00:10:28,969 Speaker 1: Adam surveyed the garden. He saw birds flying above the 120 00:10:29,010 --> 00:10:33,270 Speaker 1: treetops and heard the sounds of creatures crying from below. 121 00:10:33,890 --> 00:10:38,110 Speaker 2: Everything here is yours to enjoy. You may eat of 122 00:10:38,410 --> 00:10:43,610 Speaker 2: every fruit in this garden. Be filled to your heart's content. 123 00:10:44,190 --> 00:10:49,700 Speaker 1: Adam's eyes were shining with possibilities. He saw the fruit 124 00:10:49,760 --> 00:10:54,319 Speaker 1: of the trees and the soil's potential to grow new things. 125 00:10:56,200 --> 00:11:00,370 Speaker 1: He plucked a berry, rolled it between his fingers, and 126 00:11:00,470 --> 00:11:05,569 Speaker 1: pressed it enough to squeeze the juice out. He examined 127 00:11:05,590 --> 00:11:08,710 Speaker 1: it and then held it to his mouth to taste. 128 00:11:10,670 --> 00:11:14,500 Speaker 1: The sweetness lit up his brain, and he could feel 129 00:11:14,530 --> 00:11:20,760 Speaker 1: his body receiving it with gladness. He scaled the slope 130 00:11:20,840 --> 00:11:24,180 Speaker 1: leading to another section of the garden. He pressed his 131 00:11:24,220 --> 00:11:28,020 Speaker 1: hands against the damp moss and held his nose to 132 00:11:28,040 --> 00:11:33,220 Speaker 1: the blooming flowers. A rustling in the bushes startled Adam. 133 00:11:34,100 --> 00:11:39,140 Speaker 1: He stepped back, poised to run. From the tall ferns 134 00:11:39,340 --> 00:11:45,520 Speaker 1: emerged a stag. Its antler stood proudly atop its head 135 00:11:45,900 --> 00:11:49,580 Speaker 1: like a crown. Adam laughed at the sight of him 136 00:11:50,040 --> 00:11:54,949 Speaker 1: Hello there, who are you? The two circled each other curiously. 137 00:11:56,190 --> 00:12:00,050 Speaker 1: The stag bowed its head, stomped its hooves, and then 138 00:12:00,250 --> 00:12:05,870 Speaker 1: pranced away into the forest. Adam ran after it, feeling 139 00:12:05,950 --> 00:12:10,670 Speaker 1: the muscles in his legs extend and contract. He felt 140 00:12:10,730 --> 00:12:14,439 Speaker 1: the resistance of the earth below and the rising of 141 00:12:14,500 --> 00:12:21,449 Speaker 1: his heartbeat. It was all new and exciting. The stag 142 00:12:21,490 --> 00:12:26,020 Speaker 1: was in view. Adam leaped over a stream and dodged 143 00:12:26,160 --> 00:12:31,280 Speaker 1: some low-hanging branches. He slid through the dirt and water, 144 00:12:31,860 --> 00:12:35,160 Speaker 1: rounded the corner of the path, and then stopped immediately 145 00:12:35,540 --> 00:12:40,750 Speaker 1: when he reached the shadow of another large tree. Its 146 00:12:40,830 --> 00:12:45,589 Speaker 1: trunk was thick and braided, like serpents coiled around each other. 147 00:12:47,309 --> 00:12:51,500 Speaker 1: The branches shot outward and down making its fruit low 148 00:12:51,559 --> 00:12:57,420 Speaker 1: for picking. The fruit was a deep crimson and perfect 149 00:12:57,480 --> 00:13:03,500 Speaker 1: for one's palm. Adam was drawn to it, but terrified 150 00:13:03,580 --> 00:13:07,640 Speaker 1: by it at the same time. His body tensed with 151 00:13:07,740 --> 00:13:10,590 Speaker 1: every step as he inched closer to it. 152 00:13:11,110 --> 00:13:12,679 Speaker 2: Every fruit of the tree, right? 153 00:13:13,330 --> 00:13:15,450 Speaker 1: Adam reached out his hand to touch the fruit. 154 00:13:15,830 --> 00:13:20,600 Speaker 2: This is the tree of knowledge. the knowledge of good 155 00:13:21,480 --> 00:13:22,479 Speaker 2: and evil. 156 00:13:23,020 --> 00:13:26,120 Speaker 1: God's voice rushed through the forest like an evening wind. 157 00:13:27,480 --> 00:13:29,140 Speaker 1: Adam recoiled and listened. 158 00:13:29,870 --> 00:13:33,910 Speaker 2: You may eat of every tree in this garden, but 159 00:13:33,950 --> 00:13:38,170 Speaker 2: the tree of knowledge of good and evil you shall 160 00:13:38,290 --> 00:13:42,929 Speaker 2: never eat. What will happen if I do? Knowledge of evil, 161 00:13:43,809 --> 00:13:49,390 Speaker 2: which leads to evil, which leads to death. The end 162 00:13:49,770 --> 00:13:53,890 Speaker 2: of life. If you eat of that tree, you will 163 00:13:54,070 --> 00:13:55,150 Speaker 2: surely die. 164 00:13:55,610 --> 00:14:00,090 Speaker 1: Before Adam was a choice. He could freely take the 165 00:14:00,110 --> 00:14:05,020 Speaker 1: tree of life, nourishing himself with God's eternal and abiding love. 166 00:14:06,600 --> 00:14:09,360 Speaker 1: He could live under the comforting canopy of the Creator, 167 00:14:10,179 --> 00:14:14,060 Speaker 1: obeying Him and partnering with Him to cultivate the earth. 168 00:14:16,410 --> 00:14:20,850 Speaker 1: Or he could reach for the tree of knowledge. He 169 00:14:20,890 --> 00:14:25,810 Speaker 1: could awaken his mind to the possibility of evil. He 170 00:14:25,830 --> 00:14:30,590 Speaker 1: could seize autonomy for himself and live apart from God. 171 00:14:32,130 --> 00:14:37,430 Speaker 1: The choice was his. God wouldn't force him to climb 172 00:14:37,490 --> 00:14:43,010 Speaker 1: the hill and access eternal life. Nor would he stop 173 00:14:43,030 --> 00:14:48,290 Speaker 1: him from grasping at sin. even if it meant separation 174 00:14:48,910 --> 00:14:55,860 Speaker 1: from all things good. Life was new to Adam, so 175 00:14:55,880 --> 00:15:01,460 Speaker 1: the concept of death was strange. Yet if God was 176 00:15:01,540 --> 00:15:06,140 Speaker 1: the creator of life and all the beauty displayed before him, 177 00:15:07,500 --> 00:15:14,090 Speaker 1: Adam trusted that God's word was true. Adam looked back 178 00:15:14,130 --> 00:15:17,700 Speaker 1: at the tree, Something caught the corner of his eye. 179 00:15:18,780 --> 00:15:23,360 Speaker 1: He peered closer but saw nothing. He could have sworn 180 00:15:23,440 --> 00:15:28,930 Speaker 1: he saw a part of the trunk moving. He took 181 00:15:28,990 --> 00:15:34,650 Speaker 1: God at his word and stepped away. Adam followed the 182 00:15:34,690 --> 00:15:38,930 Speaker 1: stag's tracks to a clearing in the trees. The stag 183 00:15:38,950 --> 00:15:43,270 Speaker 1: was drinking from the stream. Just as Adam was about 184 00:15:43,310 --> 00:15:47,940 Speaker 1: to approach it, he saw another deer approach, a doe 185 00:15:48,720 --> 00:15:52,460 Speaker 1: with glistening eyes and a playful wag of its tail. 186 00:15:54,580 --> 00:15:59,500 Speaker 1: The stag perked at her presence and approached. They circled 187 00:15:59,590 --> 00:16:05,610 Speaker 1: each other playfully, then dipped their heads to touch. They 188 00:16:05,670 --> 00:16:10,890 Speaker 1: drank side by side, then pranced around each other and 189 00:16:10,970 --> 00:16:17,900 Speaker 1: back into the forest. Adam smiled and frowned in confusion. 190 00:16:19,880 --> 00:16:24,820 Speaker 1: He felt a lack, an ache in his heart. 191 00:16:25,660 --> 00:16:27,920 Speaker 2: It is not good for man to be alone. I 192 00:16:28,710 --> 00:16:32,930 Speaker 2: will find a companion suitable for him. One to contend with, 193 00:16:33,650 --> 00:16:39,670 Speaker 2: grow with, and multiply with. One to help, love, and 194 00:16:39,740 --> 00:16:41,440 Speaker 2: be loved in return. 195 00:16:43,360 --> 00:16:47,340 Speaker 1: Adam ran through the meadows and under the trees, prancing 196 00:16:47,380 --> 00:16:52,440 Speaker 1: with deer and rolling around with wolf cubs. He studied 197 00:16:52,640 --> 00:16:57,500 Speaker 1: each bird by its song and feather. He understood why 198 00:16:57,660 --> 00:17:01,780 Speaker 1: some fish swam upstream while others remained at the banks 199 00:17:01,900 --> 00:17:07,939 Speaker 1: of the ponds. All the creatures had companions, those to 200 00:17:08,000 --> 00:17:14,100 Speaker 1: multiply with and sing the song of creation. Adam's heart 201 00:17:14,420 --> 00:17:21,359 Speaker 1: kept aching, yearning for someone like that. That night Adam 202 00:17:21,420 --> 00:17:25,620 Speaker 1: rested on a grassy hill underneath the stars, the garden 203 00:17:25,680 --> 00:17:31,070 Speaker 1: mist hovering above, weaving through the trees like wandering ghosts. 204 00:17:33,150 --> 00:17:37,629 Speaker 1: Adam looked up, pondering his future, the purpose he had 205 00:17:37,670 --> 00:17:44,420 Speaker 1: been crafted for. A warm breeze enveloped the valley causing 206 00:17:44,460 --> 00:17:49,720 Speaker 1: the grass to sway. God put Adam's mind at ease 207 00:17:50,560 --> 00:17:54,270 Speaker 1: and cradled him to sleep with a warm breeze and 208 00:17:54,350 --> 00:18:02,129 Speaker 1: soothing lullaby of swaying grass and crickets. That night, God 209 00:18:02,270 --> 00:18:07,030 Speaker 1: opened Adam's side as if making an incision with a 210 00:18:07,080 --> 00:18:18,140 Speaker 1: divine blade. Carefully, thoughtfully, lovingly, God removed a rib from Adam. 211 00:18:20,190 --> 00:18:23,090 Speaker 1: He didn't take a bone from his foot or a 212 00:18:23,150 --> 00:18:28,350 Speaker 1: piece of his head. He took a rib, desiring to 213 00:18:28,450 --> 00:18:33,410 Speaker 1: craft a companion to walk with him, not under him 214 00:18:34,190 --> 00:18:40,850 Speaker 1: or above him, but beside him. God closed Adam's side 215 00:18:40,930 --> 00:18:44,510 Speaker 1: and then used the rib to create a new life 216 00:18:46,740 --> 00:18:54,070 Speaker 1: Flesh sprouted forth from bone like vines around branches. God's 217 00:18:54,180 --> 00:18:59,330 Speaker 1: glorious light danced around it as bone begat bone and 218 00:18:59,450 --> 00:19:07,950 Speaker 1: flesh grew on flesh. Elegantly and masterfully, God fashioned a 219 00:19:08,090 --> 00:19:14,910 Speaker 1: woman and placed her gently beside Adam. She lay peacefully, 220 00:19:15,660 --> 00:19:20,560 Speaker 1: and still in the tall grass. The breeze lifted her 221 00:19:20,619 --> 00:19:29,240 Speaker 1: hair over her face. Gently, silently, God breathed life into 222 00:19:29,300 --> 00:19:36,790 Speaker 1: her as well. Her chest rose, and she exhaled. She 223 00:19:36,830 --> 00:19:44,830 Speaker 1: was alive. The light touched Adam's cheek. His eyes opened silently, 224 00:19:45,369 --> 00:19:50,290 Speaker 1: then closed again. He opened them again in shock. and 225 00:19:50,350 --> 00:19:57,050 Speaker 1: sprang back. Another creature was beside him, sleeping soundly on 226 00:19:57,090 --> 00:20:01,470 Speaker 1: the soft earth. The woman opened her eyes and looked around. 227 00:20:02,609 --> 00:20:08,370 Speaker 1: Her eyes were filled with awe and curiosity. Adam stared 228 00:20:08,430 --> 00:20:12,820 Speaker 1: at her closely. She wasn't like the fawn or the 229 00:20:12,859 --> 00:20:20,420 Speaker 1: birds of the air. She was like him. Adam approached slowly. 230 00:20:22,060 --> 00:20:27,830 Speaker 1: She propped herself up and stood across from him. They 231 00:20:27,950 --> 00:20:34,730 Speaker 1: circled each other playfully, mirroring each other's movements. Adam stepped 232 00:20:34,750 --> 00:20:38,300 Speaker 1: to the side quickly. She stepped to the other side. 233 00:20:40,160 --> 00:20:46,610 Speaker 1: Adam smiled, then spun around. She mirrored his movement, returning 234 00:20:46,650 --> 00:20:53,270 Speaker 1: his smile, but with far more grace. Adam jumped up 235 00:20:53,350 --> 00:20:57,540 Speaker 1: and rolled down the grassy hill. Flower petals sprang up 236 00:20:57,600 --> 00:21:02,100 Speaker 1: behind him. The woman laughed and leaped after him. Adam 237 00:21:02,160 --> 00:21:06,200 Speaker 1: watched her hips and legs move. He watched her chest 238 00:21:06,300 --> 00:21:12,889 Speaker 1: rise and fall with each breath. She enraptured him. They 239 00:21:13,070 --> 00:21:18,149 Speaker 1: danced around each other, bodies inching closer and closer with 240 00:21:18,210 --> 00:21:25,169 Speaker 1: each spin. Finally, they stood face to face beside the waterfall. 241 00:21:26,570 --> 00:21:31,379 Speaker 1: The sound of rushing waters mixed with their breath. The 242 00:21:31,420 --> 00:21:34,700 Speaker 1: woman tilted her head at Adam and raised her hand 243 00:21:35,160 --> 00:21:41,520 Speaker 1: to his. He did the same. The two touched, fingers 244 00:21:41,940 --> 00:21:49,369 Speaker 1: intertwined in perfect connection. She looked at their hands, then 245 00:21:49,650 --> 00:21:54,929 Speaker 1: down at the water. She saw her reflection. She was 246 00:21:55,010 --> 00:22:01,580 Speaker 1: becoming aware of herself. Adam smiled tenderly at her. You're 247 00:22:01,619 --> 00:22:05,040 Speaker 1: like me. He was certain she was like him, but 248 00:22:06,020 --> 00:22:10,510 Speaker 1: unsure who he was. He held a hand to his 249 00:22:10,590 --> 00:22:15,330 Speaker 1: side and touched the scar where God had taken his rib. 250 00:22:15,820 --> 00:22:17,690 Speaker 2: You're from me. 251 00:22:18,380 --> 00:22:26,159 Speaker 1: She looked at him with bright and knowing eyes. The 252 00:22:26,220 --> 00:22:29,419 Speaker 1: wind from the rushing waterfall pushed her hair to the side. 253 00:22:30,660 --> 00:22:33,060 Speaker 1: Adam sang to her beside the falls. 254 00:22:33,830 --> 00:22:37,730 Speaker 2: You're bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh. 255 00:22:38,390 --> 00:22:41,070 Speaker 2: You're part of me, from me. 256 00:22:41,090 --> 00:22:46,359 Speaker 1: And with me. I'm a man and you're a woman. 257 00:22:47,280 --> 00:22:50,379 Speaker 1: Adam ran a hand through her hair and touched her cheek. 258 00:22:51,240 --> 00:22:51,460 Speaker 4: Eve. 259 00:22:52,440 --> 00:22:56,760 Speaker 1: She leaned closer to him and he to her. They 260 00:22:56,840 --> 00:23:01,890 Speaker 1: embraced each other in the safety of the garden. They 261 00:23:01,930 --> 00:23:08,060 Speaker 1: were naked. and unashamed. Nothing separated them from each other. 262 00:23:09,400 --> 00:23:15,030 Speaker 1: No lies, no fear, nothing to be hidden or withheld. 263 00:23:17,090 --> 00:23:21,270 Speaker 1: Their bodies intertwined in the flowers and beside the rushing waters. 264 00:23:23,510 --> 00:23:29,970 Speaker 1: Adam was no longer alone. He had a companion, a friend, 265 00:23:31,060 --> 00:23:37,609 Speaker 1: a helper, the two would walk side by side, filling 266 00:23:37,730 --> 00:23:48,010 Speaker 1: God's creation with more image-bearers. All seemed perfect, good, just 267 00:23:48,130 --> 00:23:49,810 Speaker 1: as God intended. 268 00:23:53,950 --> 00:23:56,990 Speaker 4: It has been said, anyone who divorces his wife must 269 00:23:57,070 --> 00:24:00,369 Speaker 4: give her a certificate of divorce. But I tell you 270 00:24:00,430 --> 00:24:04,139 Speaker 4: that anyone who divorces his wife except for sexual immorality, 271 00:24:04,640 --> 00:24:08,010 Speaker 4: makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries 272 00:24:08,050 --> 00:24:12,950 Speaker 4: a divorced woman commits adultery. Jesus emphasizes the sanctity of 273 00:24:13,030 --> 00:24:17,770 Speaker 4: marriage and the gravity of divorce. In His time, divorce 274 00:24:17,790 --> 00:24:21,709 Speaker 4: had become too casual, with men often dismissing their wives 275 00:24:21,730 --> 00:24:25,590 Speaker 4: for trivial reasons like overcooking the roast once too many times. 276 00:24:26,530 --> 00:24:30,380 Speaker 4: That isn't a joke either. Since the law of Moses 277 00:24:30,440 --> 00:24:33,730 Speaker 4: gave certain provisions for divorce as long as they went 278 00:24:33,750 --> 00:24:37,730 Speaker 4: through the proper process, people had no qualms ending their 279 00:24:37,750 --> 00:24:42,490 Speaker 4: marriages over silly and frankly stupid things. Jesus reminds us 280 00:24:42,550 --> 00:24:46,389 Speaker 4: that marriage is a sacred covenant before God, intended to 281 00:24:46,430 --> 00:24:51,300 Speaker 4: be lifelong and unbreakable. He underscores that the only legitimate 282 00:24:51,340 --> 00:24:55,720 Speaker 4: ground for divorce is sexual immorality, highlighting the importance of 283 00:24:55,820 --> 00:25:00,250 Speaker 4: faithfulness and commitment in marriage. Marriage is meant to be 284 00:25:00,290 --> 00:25:04,940 Speaker 4: an enduring call to devotion and resilience, withstanding the storms 285 00:25:05,000 --> 00:25:08,960 Speaker 4: of life. Now, if you've been married for long enough, 286 00:25:09,640 --> 00:25:12,080 Speaker 4: you know that marriage is not for the faint of heart. 287 00:25:13,000 --> 00:25:16,699 Speaker 4: Marriage is two imperfect people with their own wills and 288 00:25:16,820 --> 00:25:22,090 Speaker 4: desires contending for something greater than themselves. The story of 289 00:25:22,290 --> 00:25:25,870 Speaker 4: Adam and Eve provides the foundation for understanding the sacred 290 00:25:25,950 --> 00:25:30,580 Speaker 4: nature of marriage. In Genesis chapter 2, we see the 291 00:25:30,640 --> 00:25:34,350 Speaker 4: creation of the first man and woman and the establishment 292 00:25:34,400 --> 00:25:39,750 Speaker 4: of the marriage covenant. Genesis chapter 2 verses 21 through 293 00:25:39,750 --> 00:25:44,330 Speaker 4: 24 describes the creation of Eve. So the Lord God 294 00:25:44,390 --> 00:25:47,100 Speaker 4: caused the man to fall into a deep sleep, and 295 00:25:47,130 --> 00:25:49,280 Speaker 4: while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's 296 00:25:49,359 --> 00:25:53,440 Speaker 4: ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. Then 297 00:25:53,540 --> 00:25:55,540 Speaker 4: the Lord God made a woman from the rib he 298 00:25:55,580 --> 00:25:57,760 Speaker 4: had taken out of the man, and he brought her 299 00:25:57,820 --> 00:26:01,619 Speaker 4: to the man. The man said, This is now bone 300 00:26:01,640 --> 00:26:04,840 Speaker 4: of my bones and flesh of my flesh. She shall 301 00:26:04,859 --> 00:26:08,040 Speaker 4: be called woman, for she was taken out of man. 302 00:26:09,220 --> 00:26:11,260 Speaker 4: And that is why a man leaves his father and 303 00:26:11,300 --> 00:26:14,399 Speaker 4: mother and is united to his wife, and they become 304 00:26:14,580 --> 00:26:19,580 Speaker 4: one flesh. Marriage, as depicted here, is a divine union 305 00:26:19,680 --> 00:26:23,520 Speaker 4: where two souls are mingled to cultivate love and safety. 306 00:26:24,900 --> 00:26:29,590 Speaker 4: Eve was created from Adam's rib, symbolizing equality and companionship. 307 00:26:31,130 --> 00:26:33,850 Speaker 4: She wasn't taken from his head to dominate him or 308 00:26:34,150 --> 00:26:36,950 Speaker 4: from his feet to be trampled by him, but from 309 00:26:36,990 --> 00:26:40,149 Speaker 4: his side to walk alongside him as an equal partner 310 00:26:40,560 --> 00:26:46,080 Speaker 4: and co-image-bearer of God. Marriage is a divine union established 311 00:26:46,180 --> 00:26:51,480 Speaker 4: by God where two individuals become one flesh. This union 312 00:26:51,580 --> 00:26:55,740 Speaker 4: is meant to be a lifelong commitment, reflecting God's covenantal 313 00:26:55,800 --> 00:26:59,639 Speaker 4: love with His people One flesh means that when you 314 00:26:59,660 --> 00:27:03,000 Speaker 4: get married, you see the other person as equally important 315 00:27:03,119 --> 00:27:06,800 Speaker 4: to yourself. They're a part of you, and their well-being 316 00:27:06,840 --> 00:27:10,740 Speaker 4: is now chain-linked to yours. To love them well is 317 00:27:10,900 --> 00:27:15,090 Speaker 4: to love yourself well. We see this in Paul's encouragement 318 00:27:15,109 --> 00:27:20,730 Speaker 4: to husbands in Ephesians 5, verses 28-29. He writes this 319 00:27:20,810 --> 00:27:24,610 Speaker 4: to husbands. In the same way, husbands ought to love 320 00:27:24,650 --> 00:27:27,810 Speaker 4: their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his 321 00:27:27,890 --> 00:27:32,030 Speaker 4: wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated their 322 00:27:32,130 --> 00:27:35,100 Speaker 4: own body, but they feed and care for their body, 323 00:27:35,560 --> 00:27:39,560 Speaker 4: just as Christ does the church. Marriage is also an 324 00:27:39,720 --> 00:27:45,929 Speaker 4: equal partnership. Eve's creation from Adam's rib highlights this. Husbands 325 00:27:45,970 --> 00:27:49,230 Speaker 4: and wives are called to walk side by side, supporting 326 00:27:49,310 --> 00:27:53,770 Speaker 4: and loving each other as equals. Rifts in marriage can 327 00:27:53,830 --> 00:27:58,199 Speaker 4: occur when one person's needs dominate over the other's. In 328 00:27:58,220 --> 00:28:01,959 Speaker 4: a marriage, both parties must engage in selfless devotion to 329 00:28:02,020 --> 00:28:07,159 Speaker 4: ensure the other is honored, loved, and nurtured. Marriage is 330 00:28:07,320 --> 00:28:10,810 Speaker 4: also designed to be a relationship where love and safety 331 00:28:10,900 --> 00:28:15,550 Speaker 4: are cultivated. It's a sanctuary where both partners can grow 332 00:28:15,630 --> 00:28:20,350 Speaker 4: and flourish, supporting each other through life's challenges. The entrance 333 00:28:20,410 --> 00:28:24,090 Speaker 4: of sin in Genesis chapter 3 disrupted the harmony of 334 00:28:24,130 --> 00:28:29,440 Speaker 4: the first marriage. Adam and Eve's disobedience introduced shame, blame, 335 00:28:29,500 --> 00:28:33,919 Speaker 4: and brokenness into their relationship. When sin enters a marriage, 336 00:28:34,340 --> 00:28:39,340 Speaker 4: it brings division and hurt. Genesis chapter 3 verses 12 337 00:28:39,340 --> 00:28:43,790 Speaker 4: and 13 shows the blame game. The man said, The 338 00:28:43,830 --> 00:28:46,270 Speaker 4: woman you put here with me, she gave me some 339 00:28:46,330 --> 00:28:49,290 Speaker 4: fruit from the tree, and I ate it. Then the 340 00:28:49,330 --> 00:28:51,610 Speaker 4: Lord God said to the woman, What is this you 341 00:28:51,650 --> 00:28:55,450 Speaker 4: have done? The woman said, The serpent deceived me, and 342 00:28:55,530 --> 00:28:59,630 Speaker 4: I ate. Their unity was fractured as they shifted blame 343 00:28:59,790 --> 00:29:05,170 Speaker 4: instead of taking responsibility. This teaches us that sin not 344 00:29:05,250 --> 00:29:08,830 Speaker 4: only affects our relationship with God, but also with each other. 345 00:29:10,340 --> 00:29:13,940 Speaker 4: To preserve the sanctity of marriage, we must guard against 346 00:29:14,080 --> 00:29:20,080 Speaker 4: sin and seek reconciliation and forgiveness. So, how do we 347 00:29:20,200 --> 00:29:24,620 Speaker 4: uphold the sacredness of marriage? It begins with a commitment 348 00:29:24,660 --> 00:29:28,840 Speaker 4: to faithfulness. We must be committed to faithfulness in our marriages, 349 00:29:29,240 --> 00:29:33,810 Speaker 4: honoring our vows and working through difficulties with grace and patience. 350 00:29:34,870 --> 00:29:39,370 Speaker 4: It requires mutual respect and love. Husbands and wives should 351 00:29:39,450 --> 00:29:43,300 Speaker 4: trust each other. with respect and love, recognizing each other 352 00:29:43,430 --> 00:29:48,400 Speaker 4: as equals and partners in God's purpose. It is often 353 00:29:48,480 --> 00:29:53,640 Speaker 4: said that men require respect and women require love. I 354 00:29:53,680 --> 00:29:56,580 Speaker 4: would submit to you that both men and women need 355 00:29:56,640 --> 00:30:00,010 Speaker 4: love although one gender might skew a bit in one 356 00:30:00,050 --> 00:30:04,810 Speaker 4: direction over the other. We must also guard against sin. 357 00:30:05,530 --> 00:30:08,510 Speaker 4: We must guard our marriages against the intrusion of sin 358 00:30:08,850 --> 00:30:14,220 Speaker 4: by maintaining open communication, practicing forgiveness, and seeking God's guidance. 359 00:30:15,040 --> 00:30:20,200 Speaker 4: Our marriages should reflect God's unconditional love and commitment. By 360 00:30:20,280 --> 00:30:24,140 Speaker 4: loving and serving our spouses, we bear witness to God's 361 00:30:24,220 --> 00:30:28,300 Speaker 4: love for His church. As we reflect on Jesus' words 362 00:30:28,380 --> 00:30:32,740 Speaker 4: in Matthew 5, verses 31 and 32, and the story 363 00:30:32,760 --> 00:30:35,719 Speaker 4: of Adam and Eve, let us be reminded of the 364 00:30:35,820 --> 00:30:40,220 Speaker 4: sacred nature of marriage. May we uphold the sanctity of 365 00:30:40,260 --> 00:30:45,380 Speaker 4: this divine union, treating our spouses with love, respect, and equality. 366 00:30:46,360 --> 00:30:49,910 Speaker 4: Let us guard our hearts and our marriages against sin, 367 00:30:50,550 --> 00:30:55,080 Speaker 4: striving to reflect God's love in our relationships. striving to 368 00:30:55,220 --> 00:30:58,640 Speaker 4: reflect God's love in all of our communications with one another. 369 00:30:59,560 --> 00:31:02,100 Speaker 4: Let us pray for the strength and the wisdom to 370 00:31:02,200 --> 00:31:05,440 Speaker 4: honor the covenant of marriage as true citizens of heaven. 371 00:31:06,420 --> 00:31:09,640 Speaker 4: In our next episode, we'll talk about commitment and the 372 00:31:09,720 --> 00:31:15,350 Speaker 4: foolishness of making rash oaths. You know what to do, friends. Follow, share, 373 00:31:15,420 --> 00:31:19,450 Speaker 4: and leave a review. For more daily prayers, sermons, and 374 00:31:19,570 --> 00:31:23,630 Speaker 4: wisdom to last a lifetime, download the Pray.com app today.