1 00:00:00,950 --> 00:00:05,110 Speaker 1: So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What 2 00:00:05,170 --> 00:00:10,539 Speaker 1: therefore God has joined together, let no man separate. Matthew 3 00:00:10,539 --> 00:00:17,400 Speaker 1: 19.6 Heavenly Father, our hearts are filled with reverence for 4 00:00:17,440 --> 00:00:23,329 Speaker 1: the sacred bond of marriage. This divine union, designed by You, 5 00:00:24,710 --> 00:00:27,090 Speaker 1: calls us not only to a commitment to one another, 6 00:00:28,480 --> 00:00:35,199 Speaker 1: but also reflects your steadfast devotion to us. Inspire us 7 00:00:35,280 --> 00:00:39,900 Speaker 1: to mirror your unwavering love and faithfulness in our relationships. 8 00:00:42,040 --> 00:00:46,970 Speaker 1: Help us to honor and cherish our partners, showing the 9 00:00:47,020 --> 00:00:51,349 Speaker 1: same kind of selfless love and grace you extend to 10 00:00:51,510 --> 00:00:57,950 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 --> 00:01:10,030 Speaker 1: a world where commitments are often taken lightly. Strengthen our bonds, 13 00:01:10,330 --> 00:01:15,310 Speaker 1: O God, that we might withstand the trials and tribulations 14 00:01:15,410 --> 00:01:22,630 Speaker 1: of life together. Teach us to communicate with kindness, to 15 00:01:22,690 --> 00:01:30,300 Speaker 1: forgive generously, and to support each other unconditionally. Let our 16 00:01:30,400 --> 00:01:35,220 Speaker 1: love be a living example of your eternal covenant with us, 17 00:01:36,250 --> 00:01:42,350 Speaker 1: marked by loyalty, respect, and a deep commitment that reflects 18 00:01:42,390 --> 00:01:47,810 Speaker 1: the very nature of your devotion. In the name of Jesus, 19 00:01:48,830 --> 00:01:52,830 Speaker 1: who shows us the perfect way of love, we pray. 20 00:01:55,210 --> 00:01:55,510 Speaker 2: Amen. 21 00:01:58,110 --> 00:02:01,780 Speaker 1: Thank you for praying with me today You're listening to 22 00:02:01,800 --> 00:02:07,390 Speaker 1: the Jesus Podcast. Stick around for another dramatic saga inspired 23 00:02:07,420 --> 00:02:11,769 Speaker 1: by the Sermon on the Mount. We've enjoyed this podcast 24 00:02:12,370 --> 00:02:16,450 Speaker 1: and want to continue. Be sure to rate, subscribe, and 25 00:02:16,490 --> 00:02:21,510 Speaker 1: leave a review so we can continue reaching people. Thanks 26 00:02:22,230 --> 00:02:29,960 Speaker 1: for making the mission possible. Jesus' words weren't meant to 27 00:02:30,020 --> 00:02:36,060 Speaker 1: be comfortable. They were meant to bring peace, hope, and transformation. 28 00:02:37,620 --> 00:02:43,220 Speaker 1: Such things aren't gained through comfort and ease. Jesus raised 29 00:02:43,260 --> 00:02:49,700 Speaker 1: the standard beyond mindless adherence to laws. He was after 30 00:02:49,740 --> 00:02:54,440 Speaker 1: the heart. He didn't just call people not to murder. 31 00:02:55,720 --> 00:02:59,650 Speaker 1: He wanted to root out their anger. He didn't just 32 00:02:59,690 --> 00:03:06,550 Speaker 1: decry adultery. He called people to purify their thoughts. Christ 33 00:03:06,650 --> 00:03:12,120 Speaker 1: wanted people's hearts. And what better way to refine one's 34 00:03:12,160 --> 00:03:14,580 Speaker 1: heart than marriage? 35 00:03:15,600 --> 00:03:19,060 Speaker 3: You have heard it said, whoever divorces his wife, let 36 00:03:19,100 --> 00:03:21,980 Speaker 3: him give her a divorce certificate. But I say to 37 00:03:22,040 --> 00:03:25,600 Speaker 3: you that everyone who divorces his wife except on the 38 00:03:25,650 --> 00:03:30,850 Speaker 3: grounds of sexual immorality makes her commit adultery. and whoever 39 00:03:30,910 --> 00:03:34,420 Speaker 3: marries a divorced woman commits adultery. 40 00:03:34,820 --> 00:03:37,860 Speaker 1: His words sent chills up the spines of everyone present. 41 00:03:39,240 --> 00:03:43,120 Speaker 1: They weren't easy words to hear. They raised the standard 42 00:03:43,990 --> 00:03:46,930 Speaker 1: and revealed Christ's view of sanctity of marriage. 43 00:03:47,550 --> 00:03:50,610 Speaker 3: Have you not read that he who created them from 44 00:03:50,650 --> 00:03:55,410 Speaker 3: the beginning made them male and female and said, Therefore 45 00:03:55,470 --> 00:03:58,680 Speaker 3: a man shall leave his father and his mother and 46 00:03:58,800 --> 00:04:01,680 Speaker 3: hold fast to his wife and the two. 47 00:04:01,500 --> 00:04:04,060 Speaker 2: Shall become one flesh. 48 00:04:04,900 --> 00:04:09,000 Speaker 3: So they are no longer two, but one. What God 49 00:04:09,060 --> 00:04:14,030 Speaker 3: has joined together, let no man separate. 50 00:04:17,410 --> 00:04:22,180 Speaker 4: Marriage is a calling, a calling of love, devotion, and resilience. 51 00:04:22,950 --> 00:04:25,760 Speaker 4: But it's also an image, an image of a love 52 00:04:25,920 --> 00:04:29,839 Speaker 4: greater than ourselves, a devotion more powerful, and a strength 53 00:04:29,960 --> 00:04:34,260 Speaker 4: more enduring than our own. Welcome to the Jesus Podcast. 54 00:04:34,720 --> 00:04:38,750 Speaker 4: I'm Ethan with Pray.com. We've been going through a series 55 00:04:38,830 --> 00:04:41,570 Speaker 4: on the Sermon on the Mount. We've been connecting the 56 00:04:41,650 --> 00:04:45,229 Speaker 4: teachings of Jesus to other biblical stories, showing how the 57 00:04:45,270 --> 00:04:50,310 Speaker 4: entire Bible speaks to itself, reaffirming timeless truths for us all. 58 00:04:51,120 --> 00:04:54,560 Speaker 4: If this podcast has blessed you, we would sincerely appreciate 59 00:04:54,600 --> 00:04:58,000 Speaker 4: a review. We love reading them and hearing how they've 60 00:04:58,100 --> 00:05:02,989 Speaker 4: impacted your faith. Today, we delve into another profound teaching 61 00:05:03,050 --> 00:05:06,530 Speaker 4: from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, found in Matthew chapter 5, 62 00:05:06,529 --> 00:05:11,790 Speaker 4: verses 31 through 32. This passage addresses the sanctity of 63 00:05:11,890 --> 00:05:15,540 Speaker 4: marriage and the seriousness of divorce. We will connect it 64 00:05:15,580 --> 00:05:18,659 Speaker 4: to the story of Adam and Eve in Genesis chapters 65 00:05:18,660 --> 00:05:23,360 Speaker 4: 2 and 3, exploring the original biblical intent of marriage 66 00:05:23,800 --> 00:05:27,860 Speaker 4: and the impact of sin. Together, will discover how to 67 00:05:28,000 --> 00:05:30,560 Speaker 4: uphold the sacred nature of marriage. 68 00:05:30,300 --> 00:05:34,919 Speaker 1: In our lives. The light of dawn bounced off the 69 00:05:34,960 --> 00:05:41,330 Speaker 1: morning mist. The rays kissed the earth, awakening the flowers 70 00:05:41,450 --> 00:05:49,130 Speaker 1: and creatures below. Leaves dripped morning dew, falling gently onto 71 00:05:49,190 --> 00:05:53,920 Speaker 1: the soft dirt. It was from the dirt that God 72 00:05:53,960 --> 00:06:00,710 Speaker 1: would craft his masterpiece. The dirt began to stir, and 73 00:06:00,750 --> 00:06:05,300 Speaker 1: the animals scurried and watched from their burrows, waiting to 74 00:06:05,330 --> 00:06:11,020 Speaker 1: see what would happen. From the earthy clay, a figure 75 00:06:11,279 --> 00:06:16,620 Speaker 1: began to take shape, like a potter's vessel slowly forming 76 00:06:16,839 --> 00:06:21,940 Speaker 1: on the wheel. The earth spun to the sound of music. 77 00:06:24,140 --> 00:06:30,190 Speaker 1: The creator's hands moved precisely, crafting each detail with love 78 00:06:30,870 --> 00:06:38,630 Speaker 1: and care. From the earth, the first man emerged, a 79 00:06:38,690 --> 00:06:44,779 Speaker 1: lifeless being of dust and stone. He stood there, lifeless, 80 00:06:45,500 --> 00:06:51,200 Speaker 1: an unoccupied body in need of a soul. The wind 81 00:06:51,360 --> 00:06:55,679 Speaker 1: whistled through the garden and danced around the lifeless figure, 82 00:06:58,830 --> 00:07:06,250 Speaker 1: God's life-giving power, the Ruach, blew into his nostrils. The 83 00:07:06,290 --> 00:07:10,810 Speaker 1: man's chest rose, and then he exhaled his first breath. 84 00:07:12,890 --> 00:07:17,020 Speaker 1: He opened his eyes to see the radiant garden glowing 85 00:07:17,180 --> 00:07:22,540 Speaker 1: with color and life. He looked around and beheld the 86 00:07:22,600 --> 00:07:26,520 Speaker 1: trees and every creature looking down on him from above. 87 00:07:28,690 --> 00:07:35,150 Speaker 1: He turned, feeling the dirt underneath his toes. Then he 88 00:07:35,210 --> 00:07:36,690 Speaker 1: heard a voice speak. 89 00:07:37,970 --> 00:07:38,350 Speaker 2: Adam. 90 00:07:39,420 --> 00:07:46,239 Speaker 1: It was his name and his identity. He was the man, 91 00:07:47,280 --> 00:07:53,980 Speaker 1: the image-bearer of the Creator, stamped with someone divine and 92 00:07:54,100 --> 00:07:59,730 Speaker 1: filled with a breath of life. Here I am Adam 93 00:07:59,770 --> 00:08:05,310 Speaker 1: said gently. The sound of his voice surprised him. He 94 00:08:05,330 --> 00:08:08,360 Speaker 1: looked around to make sure it wasn't someone else speaking. 95 00:08:10,100 --> 00:08:15,320 Speaker 1: He looked at his hands, arms, and feet. Here I am! 96 00:08:16,260 --> 00:08:22,680 Speaker 1: Adam took a step forward, feeling every sensation of existence simultaneously. 97 00:08:24,300 --> 00:08:28,300 Speaker 1: He felt the earth underneath him, the excitement of what 98 00:08:28,360 --> 00:08:33,010 Speaker 1: was before him, and the awe of what was above him. 99 00:08:35,300 --> 00:08:39,559 Speaker 1: He walked between the trees, exploring the boundaries of his 100 00:08:39,620 --> 00:08:44,719 Speaker 1: new home. It was a garden set upon a high place, 101 00:08:45,600 --> 00:08:53,739 Speaker 1: teeming with vibrant life and vibrating with possibilities. Cascading falls 102 00:08:53,880 --> 00:08:59,960 Speaker 1: fell majestically, splitting the earth and flowing downward into great rivers. 103 00:09:02,200 --> 00:09:07,500 Speaker 1: Adam followed the water upward. Something caught his eye. What's 104 00:09:07,540 --> 00:09:11,319 Speaker 1: up there? He was drawn to a light emanating from 105 00:09:11,360 --> 00:09:16,000 Speaker 1: the peak of the falls. He grabbed onto the stones 106 00:09:16,100 --> 00:09:21,100 Speaker 1: next to the falls and climbed up. The waterfall was powerful, 107 00:09:21,800 --> 00:09:27,240 Speaker 1: nearly blowing Adam off the rocks. But he persisted, air 108 00:09:27,320 --> 00:09:33,300 Speaker 1: dripping with water and determinations. he finally summited the falls 109 00:09:34,059 --> 00:09:39,069 Speaker 1: and looked at the source of life. There, at the 110 00:09:39,130 --> 00:09:44,270 Speaker 1: top of Eden, was a tree growing above all the rest. 111 00:09:45,730 --> 00:09:49,940 Speaker 1: Its branches stretched out beyond the clouds and its roots 112 00:09:50,040 --> 00:09:56,980 Speaker 1: spread throughout the forest. It pulsed with power. It was 113 00:09:57,040 --> 00:10:02,630 Speaker 1: the tree of life. The entire garden seemed to hum 114 00:10:02,910 --> 00:10:07,800 Speaker 1: to his heartbeat. Its fruit hung elegantly from its branches. 115 00:10:08,920 --> 00:10:14,020 Speaker 1: Light and sound circled it, then left in a breeze 116 00:10:14,080 --> 00:10:15,320 Speaker 1: to adorn the rest of the. 117 00:10:15,300 --> 00:10:16,579 Speaker 4: Garden in splendor. 118 00:10:17,140 --> 00:10:19,080 Speaker 2: Look around you, Adam. 119 00:10:19,790 --> 00:10:22,750 Speaker 1: The tree of life pulsed with the sound of God's voice. 120 00:10:24,630 --> 00:10:28,970 Speaker 1: Adam surveyed the garden. He saw birds flying above the 121 00:10:28,990 --> 00:10:33,250 Speaker 1: treetops and heard the sounds of creatures crying from below. 122 00:10:33,870 --> 00:10:38,089 Speaker 2: Everything here is yours to enjoy. You may eat of 123 00:10:38,410 --> 00:10:43,590 Speaker 2: every fruit in this garden. Be filled to your heart's content. 124 00:10:44,190 --> 00:10:49,700 Speaker 1: Adam's eyes were shining with possibilities. He saw the fruit 125 00:10:49,740 --> 00:10:54,309 Speaker 1: of the trees and the soil's potential to grow new things. 126 00:10:56,190 --> 00:11:00,370 Speaker 1: He plucked a berry, rolled it between his fingers, and 127 00:11:00,450 --> 00:11:05,550 Speaker 1: pressed it enough to squeeze the juice out. He examined 128 00:11:05,590 --> 00:11:08,720 Speaker 1: it and then held it to his mouth to taste. 129 00:11:10,679 --> 00:11:14,480 Speaker 1: The sweetness lit up his brain, and he could feel 130 00:11:14,540 --> 00:11:20,760 Speaker 1: his body receiving it with gladness. He scaled the slope 131 00:11:20,820 --> 00:11:24,160 Speaker 1: leading to another section of the garden. He pressed his 132 00:11:24,220 --> 00:11:28,000 Speaker 1: hands against the damp moss and held his nose to 133 00:11:28,020 --> 00:11:33,210 Speaker 1: the blooming flowers. A rustling in the bushes startled Adam. 134 00:11:34,090 --> 00:11:39,130 Speaker 1: He stepped back, poised to run. From the tall ferns 135 00:11:39,330 --> 00:11:45,510 Speaker 1: emerged a stag. Its antler stood proudly atop its head 136 00:11:45,890 --> 00:11:49,570 Speaker 1: like a crown. Adam laughed at the sight of him 137 00:11:50,020 --> 00:11:54,929 Speaker 1: Hello there, who are you? The two circled each other curiously. 138 00:11:56,190 --> 00:12:00,030 Speaker 1: The stag bowed its head, stomped its hooves, and then 139 00:12:00,230 --> 00:12:05,809 Speaker 1: pranced away into the forest. Adam ran after it, feeling 140 00:12:05,929 --> 00:12:10,650 Speaker 1: the muscles in his legs extend and contract. He felt 141 00:12:10,720 --> 00:12:14,439 Speaker 1: the resistance of the earth below and the rising of 142 00:12:14,480 --> 00:12:21,429 Speaker 1: his heartbeat. It was all new and exciting. The stag 143 00:12:21,470 --> 00:12:26,000 Speaker 1: was in view. Adam leaped over a stream and dodged 144 00:12:26,140 --> 00:12:31,260 Speaker 1: some low-hanging branches. He slid through the dirt and water, 145 00:12:31,840 --> 00:12:35,140 Speaker 1: rounded the corner of the path, and then stopped immediately 146 00:12:35,540 --> 00:12:40,730 Speaker 1: when he reached the shadow of another large tree. Its 147 00:12:40,809 --> 00:12:45,589 Speaker 1: trunk was thick and braided, like serpents coiled around each other. 148 00:12:47,290 --> 00:12:51,479 Speaker 1: The branches shot outward and down making its fruit low 149 00:12:51,540 --> 00:12:57,410 Speaker 1: for picking. The fruit was a deep crimson and perfect 150 00:12:57,470 --> 00:13:03,490 Speaker 1: for one's palm. Adam was drawn to it, but terrified 151 00:13:03,570 --> 00:13:07,630 Speaker 1: by it at the same time. His body tensed with 152 00:13:07,730 --> 00:13:10,580 Speaker 1: every step as he edged closer to it. 153 00:13:11,100 --> 00:13:12,680 Speaker 2: Every fruit of the tree, right? 154 00:13:13,320 --> 00:13:15,440 Speaker 1: Adam reached out his hand to touch the fruit. 155 00:13:15,820 --> 00:13:20,600 Speaker 2: This is the tree of knowledge. The knowledge of good 156 00:13:21,480 --> 00:13:22,459 Speaker 2: and evil. 157 00:13:23,020 --> 00:13:26,110 Speaker 1: God's voice rushed through the forest like an evening wind. 158 00:13:27,490 --> 00:13:29,150 Speaker 1: Adam recoiled and listened. 159 00:13:29,850 --> 00:13:33,890 Speaker 2: You may eat of every tree in this garden, but 160 00:13:33,929 --> 00:13:38,150 Speaker 2: the tree of knowledge of good and evil you shall 161 00:13:38,270 --> 00:13:38,970 Speaker 2: never eat. 162 00:13:39,570 --> 00:13:41,050 Speaker 1: What will happen if I do? 163 00:13:41,610 --> 00:13:47,630 Speaker 2: Knowledge of evil, which leads to evil, which leads to death. 164 00:13:48,470 --> 00:13:52,730 Speaker 2: The end of life. If you eat of that tree, 165 00:13:53,510 --> 00:13:55,110 Speaker 2: you will surely die. 166 00:13:55,610 --> 00:14:00,070 Speaker 1: Before Adam was a choice. He could freely take the 167 00:14:00,110 --> 00:14:04,990 Speaker 1: tree of life, nourishing himself with God's eternal and abiding love. 168 00:14:06,570 --> 00:14:09,330 Speaker 1: He could live under the comforting canopy of the Creator, 169 00:14:10,170 --> 00:14:14,050 Speaker 1: obeying Him and partnering with Him to cultivate the earth. 170 00:14:16,390 --> 00:14:20,830 Speaker 1: Or he could reach for the tree of knowledge. He 171 00:14:20,870 --> 00:14:25,790 Speaker 1: could awaken his mind to the possibility of evil. He 172 00:14:25,810 --> 00:14:30,590 Speaker 1: could seize autonomy for himself and live apart from God. 173 00:14:32,110 --> 00:14:37,420 Speaker 1: The choice was his. God wouldn't force him to climb 174 00:14:37,480 --> 00:14:43,020 Speaker 1: the hill and access eternal life. Nor would he stop 175 00:14:43,040 --> 00:14:48,270 Speaker 1: him from grasping at sin. even if it meant separation 176 00:14:48,890 --> 00:14:55,840 Speaker 1: from all things good. Life was new to Adam, so 177 00:14:55,860 --> 00:15:01,440 Speaker 1: the concept of death was strange. Yet if God was 178 00:15:01,520 --> 00:15:06,140 Speaker 1: the creator of life and all the beauty displayed before him, 179 00:15:07,490 --> 00:15:14,070 Speaker 1: Adam trusted that God's word was true. Adam looked back 180 00:15:14,130 --> 00:15:17,720 Speaker 1: at the tree, Something caught the corner of his eye. 181 00:15:18,760 --> 00:15:23,370 Speaker 1: He peered closer but saw nothing. He could have sworn 182 00:15:23,430 --> 00:15:28,910 Speaker 1: he saw a part of the trunk moving. He took 183 00:15:28,970 --> 00:15:34,630 Speaker 1: God at his word and stepped away. Adam followed the 184 00:15:34,670 --> 00:15:38,910 Speaker 1: stag's tracks to a clearing in the trees. The stag 185 00:15:38,950 --> 00:15:43,280 Speaker 1: was drinking from the stream. Just as Adam was about 186 00:15:43,300 --> 00:15:47,940 Speaker 1: to approach it, he saw another deer approach, a doe 187 00:15:48,700 --> 00:15:52,440 Speaker 1: with glistening eyes and a playful wag of its tail. 188 00:15:54,560 --> 00:15:59,490 Speaker 1: The stag perked at her presence and approached. They circled 189 00:15:59,570 --> 00:16:05,590 Speaker 1: each other playfully, then dipped their heads to touch. They 190 00:16:05,650 --> 00:16:10,890 Speaker 1: drank side by side, then pranced around each other and 191 00:16:10,970 --> 00:16:17,900 Speaker 1: back into the forest. Adam smiled and frowned in confusion. 192 00:16:19,880 --> 00:16:24,800 Speaker 1: He felt a lack, an ache in his heart. 193 00:16:25,640 --> 00:16:27,910 Speaker 2: It is not good for man to be alone. I 194 00:16:28,690 --> 00:16:32,910 Speaker 2: will find a companion suitable for him. One to contend with, 195 00:16:33,630 --> 00:16:39,660 Speaker 2: grow with, and multiply with. One to help, love, and 196 00:16:39,720 --> 00:16:41,400 Speaker 2: be loved in return. 197 00:16:43,340 --> 00:16:47,320 Speaker 1: Adam ran through the meadows and under the trees, prancing 198 00:16:47,360 --> 00:16:52,420 Speaker 1: with deer and rolling around with wolf cubs. He studied 199 00:16:52,620 --> 00:16:57,480 Speaker 1: each bird by its song and feather. He understood why 200 00:16:57,640 --> 00:17:01,760 Speaker 1: some fish swam upstream while others remained at the banks 201 00:17:01,880 --> 00:17:07,919 Speaker 1: of the ponds. All the creatures had companions, those to 202 00:17:07,980 --> 00:17:14,080 Speaker 1: multiply with and sing the song of creation. Adam's heart 203 00:17:14,420 --> 00:17:21,350 Speaker 1: kept aching, yearning for someone like that. That night, Adam 204 00:17:21,400 --> 00:17:25,610 Speaker 1: rested on a grassy hill underneath the stars. The garden 205 00:17:25,670 --> 00:17:31,050 Speaker 1: mist hovering above, weaving through the trees like wandering ghosts. 206 00:17:33,130 --> 00:17:37,609 Speaker 1: Adam looked up, pondering his future, the purpose he had 207 00:17:37,650 --> 00:17:44,400 Speaker 1: been crafted for. A warm breeze enveloped the valley causing 208 00:17:44,440 --> 00:17:49,710 Speaker 1: the grass to sway. God put Adam's mind at ease 209 00:17:50,550 --> 00:17:54,250 Speaker 1: and cradled him to sleep with a warm breeze and 210 00:17:54,350 --> 00:18:02,119 Speaker 1: soothing lullaby of swaying grass and crickets. That night, God 211 00:18:02,260 --> 00:18:07,020 Speaker 1: opened Adam's side as if making an incision with a 212 00:18:07,060 --> 00:18:18,140 Speaker 1: divine blade. Carefully, thoughtfully, lovingly, God removed a rib from Adam. 213 00:18:20,180 --> 00:18:23,090 Speaker 1: He didn't take a bone from his foot or a 214 00:18:23,150 --> 00:18:28,330 Speaker 1: piece of his head. He took a rib, desiring to 215 00:18:28,450 --> 00:18:33,420 Speaker 1: craft a companion to walk with him, not under him 216 00:18:34,200 --> 00:18:40,850 Speaker 1: or above him, but beside him. God closed Adam's side 217 00:18:40,910 --> 00:18:44,510 Speaker 1: and then used the rib to create a new life. 218 00:18:46,730 --> 00:18:54,060 Speaker 1: Flesh sprouted forth from bone like vines around branches. God's 219 00:18:54,160 --> 00:18:59,320 Speaker 1: glorious light danced around it as bone begat bone and 220 00:18:59,440 --> 00:19:07,960 Speaker 1: flesh grew on flesh. Elegantly and masterfully, God fashioned a 221 00:19:08,080 --> 00:19:14,910 Speaker 1: woman and placed her gently beside Adam. She lay peacefully 222 00:19:15,630 --> 00:19:20,530 Speaker 1: and still in the tall grass. The breeze lifted her 223 00:19:20,609 --> 00:19:29,230 Speaker 1: hair over her face. Gently, silently, God breathed life into 224 00:19:29,290 --> 00:19:36,770 Speaker 1: her as well. Her chest rose, and she exhaled. She 225 00:19:36,810 --> 00:19:45,340 Speaker 1: was alive. The light touched Adam's cheek. His eyes opened slightly, 226 00:19:45,359 --> 00:19:50,270 Speaker 1: then closed again. He opened them again in shock. and 227 00:19:50,350 --> 00:19:57,030 Speaker 1: sprang back. Another creature was beside him, sleeping soundly on 228 00:19:57,070 --> 00:20:01,449 Speaker 1: the soft earth. The woman opened her eyes and looked around. 229 00:20:02,590 --> 00:20:08,350 Speaker 1: Her eyes were filled with awe and curiosity. Adam stared 230 00:20:08,410 --> 00:20:12,800 Speaker 1: at her closely. She wasn't like the fawn or the 231 00:20:12,840 --> 00:20:20,400 Speaker 1: birds of the air. She was like him. Adam approached slowly. 232 00:20:22,050 --> 00:20:27,830 Speaker 1: She propped herself up and stood across from him. They 233 00:20:27,930 --> 00:20:34,720 Speaker 1: circled each other playfully, mirroring each other's movements. Adam stepped 234 00:20:34,740 --> 00:20:38,280 Speaker 1: to the side quickly. She stepped to the other side. 235 00:20:40,140 --> 00:20:46,590 Speaker 1: Adam smiled, then spun around. She mirrored his movement, returning 236 00:20:46,650 --> 00:20:53,270 Speaker 1: his smile, but with far more grace. Adam jumped up 237 00:20:53,350 --> 00:20:57,510 Speaker 1: and rolled down the grassy hill. Flower petals sprang up 238 00:20:57,590 --> 00:21:02,070 Speaker 1: behind him. The woman laughed and leaped after him. Adam 239 00:21:02,150 --> 00:21:06,199 Speaker 1: watched her hips and legs move. He watched her chest 240 00:21:06,300 --> 00:21:12,889 Speaker 1: rise and fall with each breath. She enraptured him. They 241 00:21:13,050 --> 00:21:18,150 Speaker 1: danced around each other, bodies inching closer and closer with 242 00:21:18,210 --> 00:21:25,159 Speaker 1: each spin. Finally, they stood face to face beside the waterfall. 243 00:21:26,560 --> 00:21:31,379 Speaker 1: The sound of rushing waters mixed with their breath. The 244 00:21:31,400 --> 00:21:34,700 Speaker 1: woman tilted her head at Adam and raised her hand 245 00:21:35,160 --> 00:21:41,510 Speaker 1: to his. He did the same. The two touched, fingers 246 00:21:41,930 --> 00:21:49,330 Speaker 1: intertwined in perfect connection. She looked at their hands, then 247 00:21:49,650 --> 00:21:54,919 Speaker 1: down at the water. She saw her reflection. She was 248 00:21:55,000 --> 00:22:01,560 Speaker 1: becoming aware of herself. Adam smiled tenderly at her. You're 249 00:22:01,600 --> 00:22:04,720 Speaker 1: like me. He was certain she was like him, but 250 00:22:06,000 --> 00:22:10,520 Speaker 1: unsure who he was. He held a hand to his 251 00:22:10,580 --> 00:22:15,340 Speaker 1: side and touched the scar where God had taken his rib. 252 00:22:15,820 --> 00:22:20,399 Speaker 1: You're from me. She looked at him with bright and 253 00:22:20,520 --> 00:22:28,520 Speaker 1: knowing eyes. The wind from the rushing waterfall pushed her 254 00:22:28,580 --> 00:22:33,040 Speaker 1: hair to the side. Adam sang to her beside the falls. 255 00:22:33,830 --> 00:22:37,730 Speaker 2: You're bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh. 256 00:22:38,369 --> 00:22:42,490 Speaker 1: You're part of me, from me, and with me. 257 00:22:42,510 --> 00:22:46,340 Speaker 3: I'm a man and you're a woman. 258 00:22:47,260 --> 00:22:51,460 Speaker 1: Adam ran a hand through her hair and touched her cheek. Eve. 259 00:22:52,420 --> 00:22:56,740 Speaker 1: She leaned closer to him and he to her. They 260 00:22:56,840 --> 00:23:01,870 Speaker 1: embraced each other in the safety of the garden. They 261 00:23:01,930 --> 00:23:02,469 Speaker 1: were naked. 262 00:23:03,420 --> 00:23:04,200 Speaker 4: And unashamed. 263 00:23:05,810 --> 00:23:11,629 Speaker 1: Nothing separated them from each other. No lies, no fear, 264 00:23:12,869 --> 00:23:18,629 Speaker 1: nothing to be hidden or withheld. Their bodies intertwined in 265 00:23:18,650 --> 00:23:24,470 Speaker 1: the flowers and beside the rushing waters. Adam was no 266 00:23:24,540 --> 00:23:31,500 Speaker 1: longer alone. He had a companion, a friend, a helper, 267 00:23:33,350 --> 00:23:38,830 Speaker 1: the two would walk side by side, filling God's creation 268 00:23:39,369 --> 00:23:49,820 Speaker 1: with more image-bearers. All seemed perfect, good, just as God intended. 269 00:23:53,940 --> 00:23:56,990 Speaker 4: It has been said, anyone who divorces his wife must 270 00:23:57,070 --> 00:24:00,390 Speaker 4: give her a certificate of divorce. But I tell you 271 00:24:00,430 --> 00:24:04,129 Speaker 4: that anyone who divorces his wife except for sexual immorality, 272 00:24:04,630 --> 00:24:07,990 Speaker 4: makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries 273 00:24:08,050 --> 00:24:12,929 Speaker 4: a divorced woman commits adultery. Jesus emphasizes the sanctity of 274 00:24:13,030 --> 00:24:17,750 Speaker 4: marriage and the gravity of divorce. In His time, divorce 275 00:24:17,770 --> 00:24:21,689 Speaker 4: had become too casual, with men often dismissing their wives 276 00:24:21,730 --> 00:24:25,570 Speaker 4: for trivial reasons like overcooking the roast once too many times. 277 00:24:26,510 --> 00:24:30,370 Speaker 4: That isn't a joke either. Since the law of Moses 278 00:24:30,430 --> 00:24:33,710 Speaker 4: gave certain provisions for divorce as long as they went 279 00:24:33,730 --> 00:24:37,710 Speaker 4: through the proper process, people had no qualms ending their 280 00:24:37,730 --> 00:24:42,480 Speaker 4: marriages over silly and frankly stupid things. Jesus reminds us 281 00:24:42,540 --> 00:24:46,379 Speaker 4: that marriage is a sacred covenant before God, intended to 282 00:24:46,440 --> 00:24:51,280 Speaker 4: be lifelong and unbreakable. He underscores that the only legitimate 283 00:24:51,320 --> 00:24:55,700 Speaker 4: ground for divorce is sexual immorality, highlighting the importance of 284 00:24:55,810 --> 00:25:00,240 Speaker 4: faithfulness and commitment in marriage. Marriage is meant to be 285 00:25:00,280 --> 00:25:04,940 Speaker 4: an enduring call to devotion and resilience, withstanding the storms 286 00:25:04,980 --> 00:25:08,940 Speaker 4: of life. Now, if you've been married for long enough, 287 00:25:09,619 --> 00:25:12,060 Speaker 4: you know that marriage is not for the faint of heart. 288 00:25:12,980 --> 00:25:16,689 Speaker 4: Marriage is two imperfect people with their own wills and 289 00:25:16,830 --> 00:25:22,090 Speaker 4: desires contending for something greater than themselves. The story of 290 00:25:22,270 --> 00:25:25,850 Speaker 4: Adam and Eve provides the foundation for understanding the sacred 291 00:25:25,950 --> 00:25:30,590 Speaker 4: nature of marriage. In Genesis chapter 2, we see the 292 00:25:30,650 --> 00:25:34,330 Speaker 4: creation of the first man and woman and the establishment 293 00:25:34,410 --> 00:25:39,750 Speaker 4: of the marriage covenant. Genesis chapter 2 verses 21 through 294 00:25:39,750 --> 00:25:44,320 Speaker 4: 24 describes the creation of Eve. So the Lord God 295 00:25:44,380 --> 00:25:47,080 Speaker 4: caused the man to fall into a deep sleep, and 296 00:25:47,119 --> 00:25:49,260 Speaker 4: while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's 297 00:25:49,340 --> 00:25:53,420 Speaker 4: ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. Then 298 00:25:53,520 --> 00:25:55,530 Speaker 4: the Lord God made a woman from the rib he 299 00:25:55,570 --> 00:25:57,770 Speaker 4: had taken out of the man, and he brought her 300 00:25:57,810 --> 00:26:01,600 Speaker 4: to the man. The man said, This is now bone 301 00:26:01,619 --> 00:26:04,820 Speaker 4: of my bones and flesh of my flesh. She shall 302 00:26:04,840 --> 00:26:08,020 Speaker 4: be called woman, for she was taken out of man. 303 00:26:09,200 --> 00:26:11,240 Speaker 4: And that is why a man leaves his father and 304 00:26:11,280 --> 00:26:14,379 Speaker 4: mother and is united to his wife, and they become 305 00:26:14,560 --> 00:26:19,580 Speaker 4: one flesh. Marriage, as depicted here, is a divine union 306 00:26:19,660 --> 00:26:23,500 Speaker 4: where two souls are mingled to cultivate love and safety. 307 00:26:24,900 --> 00:26:29,580 Speaker 4: Eve was created from Adam's rib, symbolizing equality and companionship. 308 00:26:31,119 --> 00:26:33,840 Speaker 4: She wasn't taken from his head to dominate him or 309 00:26:34,140 --> 00:26:36,940 Speaker 4: from his feet to be trampled by him, but from 310 00:26:36,980 --> 00:26:40,160 Speaker 4: his side to walk alongside him as an equal partner 311 00:26:40,560 --> 00:26:46,060 Speaker 4: and co-image-bearer of God. Marriage is a divine union established 312 00:26:46,160 --> 00:26:51,460 Speaker 4: by God where two individuals become one flesh. This union 313 00:26:51,560 --> 00:26:55,740 Speaker 4: is meant to be a lifelong commitment, reflecting God's covenantal 314 00:26:55,800 --> 00:26:59,619 Speaker 4: love with His people One flesh means that when you 315 00:26:59,640 --> 00:27:02,980 Speaker 4: get married, you see the other person as equally important 316 00:27:03,100 --> 00:27:06,780 Speaker 4: to yourself. They're a part of you, and their well-being 317 00:27:06,840 --> 00:27:10,750 Speaker 4: is now chain-linked to yours. To love them well is 318 00:27:10,890 --> 00:27:15,070 Speaker 4: to love yourself well. We see this in Paul's encouragement 319 00:27:15,109 --> 00:27:20,710 Speaker 4: to husbands in Ephesians 5, verses 28-29. He writes this 320 00:27:20,790 --> 00:27:24,590 Speaker 4: to husbands. In the same way, husbands ought to love 321 00:27:24,630 --> 00:27:27,790 Speaker 4: their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his 322 00:27:27,869 --> 00:27:32,020 Speaker 4: wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated their 323 00:27:32,140 --> 00:27:35,080 Speaker 4: own body, but they feed and care for their body, 324 00:27:35,540 --> 00:27:39,540 Speaker 4: just as Christ does the church. Marriage is also an 325 00:27:39,700 --> 00:27:45,909 Speaker 4: equal partnership. Eve's creation from Adam's rib highlights this. Husbands 326 00:27:45,950 --> 00:27:49,230 Speaker 4: and wives are called to walk side by side, supporting 327 00:27:49,290 --> 00:27:53,760 Speaker 4: and loving each other as equals. Rifts in marriage can 328 00:27:53,820 --> 00:27:58,179 Speaker 4: occur when one person's needs dominate over the other's. In 329 00:27:58,220 --> 00:28:01,939 Speaker 4: a marriage, both parties must engage in selfless devotion to 330 00:28:02,000 --> 00:28:07,149 Speaker 4: ensure the other is honored, loved, and nurtured. Marriage is 331 00:28:07,310 --> 00:28:10,790 Speaker 4: also designed to be a relationship where love and safety 332 00:28:10,890 --> 00:28:15,530 Speaker 4: are cultivated. It's a sanctuary where both partners can grow 333 00:28:15,609 --> 00:28:20,340 Speaker 4: and flourish, supporting each other through life's challenges. The entrance 334 00:28:20,400 --> 00:28:24,080 Speaker 4: of sin in Genesis chapter 3 disrupted the harmony of 335 00:28:24,119 --> 00:28:29,420 Speaker 4: the first marriage. Adam and Eve's disobedience introduced shame, blame, 336 00:28:29,480 --> 00:28:33,899 Speaker 4: and brokenness into their relationship. When sin enters a marriage, 337 00:28:34,320 --> 00:28:39,330 Speaker 4: it brings division and hurt. Genesis chapter 3 verses 12 338 00:28:39,330 --> 00:28:43,770 Speaker 4: and 13 shows the blame game. The man said, The 339 00:28:43,810 --> 00:28:46,270 Speaker 4: woman you put here with me, she gave me some 340 00:28:46,330 --> 00:28:49,270 Speaker 4: fruit from the tree, and I ate it. Then the 341 00:28:49,310 --> 00:28:51,600 Speaker 4: Lord God said to the woman, What is this you 342 00:28:51,630 --> 00:28:55,430 Speaker 4: have done? The woman said, The serpent deceived me, and 343 00:28:55,510 --> 00:28:59,630 Speaker 4: I ate. Their unity was fractured as they shifted blame 344 00:28:59,790 --> 00:29:05,150 Speaker 4: instead of taking responsibility. This teaches us that sin not 345 00:29:05,260 --> 00:29:08,820 Speaker 4: only affects our relationship with God, but also with each other. 346 00:29:10,320 --> 00:29:13,920 Speaker 4: To preserve the sanctity of marriage, we must guard against 347 00:29:14,060 --> 00:29:20,060 Speaker 4: sin and seek reconciliation and forgiveness. So, how do we 348 00:29:20,180 --> 00:29:24,600 Speaker 4: uphold the sacredness of marriage? It begins with a commitment 349 00:29:24,640 --> 00:29:28,830 Speaker 4: to faithfulness. We must be committed to faithfulness in our marriages, 350 00:29:29,220 --> 00:29:33,790 Speaker 4: honoring our vows and working through difficulties with grace and patience. 351 00:29:34,850 --> 00:29:39,350 Speaker 4: It requires mutual respect and love. Husbands and wives should 352 00:29:39,430 --> 00:29:43,300 Speaker 4: trust each other. with respect and love, recognizing each other 353 00:29:43,420 --> 00:29:48,380 Speaker 4: as equals and partners in God's purpose. It is often 354 00:29:48,460 --> 00:29:53,640 Speaker 4: said that men require respect and women require love. I 355 00:29:53,660 --> 00:29:56,560 Speaker 4: would submit to you that both men and women need 356 00:29:56,640 --> 00:29:59,990 Speaker 4: love although one gender might skew a bit in one 357 00:30:00,030 --> 00:30:04,790 Speaker 4: direction over the other. We must also guard against sin. 358 00:30:05,510 --> 00:30:08,490 Speaker 4: We must guard our marriages against the intrusion of sin 359 00:30:08,830 --> 00:30:14,200 Speaker 4: by maintaining open communication, practicing forgiveness, and seeking God's guidance. 360 00:30:15,020 --> 00:30:20,180 Speaker 4: Our marriages should reflect God's unconditional love and commitment. By 361 00:30:20,260 --> 00:30:24,130 Speaker 4: loving and serving our spouses, we bear witness to God's 362 00:30:24,210 --> 00:30:28,300 Speaker 4: love for His church. As we reflect on Jesus' words 363 00:30:28,360 --> 00:30:32,720 Speaker 4: in Matthew 5, verses 31 and 32, and the story 364 00:30:32,740 --> 00:30:35,719 Speaker 4: of Adam and Eve, let us be reminded of the 365 00:30:35,800 --> 00:30:40,200 Speaker 4: sacred nature of marriage. May we uphold the sanctity of 366 00:30:40,240 --> 00:30:45,390 Speaker 4: this divine union, treating our spouses with love, respect, and equality. 367 00:30:46,370 --> 00:30:49,910 Speaker 4: Let us guard our hearts and our marriages against sin, 368 00:30:50,550 --> 00:30:55,080 Speaker 4: striving to reflect God's love in our relationships. striving to 369 00:30:55,220 --> 00:30:58,620 Speaker 4: reflect God's love in all of our communications with one another. 370 00:30:59,540 --> 00:31:02,090 Speaker 4: Let us pray for the strength and the wisdom to 371 00:31:02,200 --> 00:31:05,430 Speaker 4: honor the covenant of marriage as true citizens of heaven. 372 00:31:06,410 --> 00:31:09,630 Speaker 4: In our next episode, we'll talk about commitment and the 373 00:31:09,710 --> 00:31:15,330 Speaker 4: foolishness of making rash oaths. You know what to do, friends. Follow, share, 374 00:31:15,410 --> 00:31:19,430 Speaker 4: and leave a review. For more daily prayers, sermons, and 375 00:31:19,550 --> 00:31:23,630 Speaker 4: wisdom to last a lifetime, download the Pray.com app today.