Must one have a "legal" marriage to be blessed?

[justasinnersavedbygrace]

Having read a thread recently where this subject was brought up I started thinking more about it.

A "marriage" is a convenant between 2 people. To Christians it is also a covenant between 2 people and God.

The word covenant in the Bible in the OT is berith. According to Strongs Concordance, the definitions are:
1) covenant, alliance, pledge
a) between men
1) treaty, alliance, league (man to man)
2) constitution, ordinance (monarch to subjects)
3) agreement, pledge (man to man)
4) alliance (of friendship)
5) alliance (of marriage)
b) between God and man
1) alliance (of friendship)
2) covenant (divine ordinance with signs or pledges)

In the NT the Greek word diatheka is used, which according to Strongs means:
1) a disposition, arrangement, of any sort, which one wishes to be valid, the last disposition which one makes of his earthly possessions after his death, a testament or will
2) a compact, a covenant, a testament
a) God's covenant with Noah, etc.

Malachi 2:14 tells us a wife is a companion and wife by covenant and God is a witness to that.
"Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet [is] she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant. "

Matthew 19:6 tells us a marriage covenant shouldn't be broken.
"Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder."

We are told there certain particulars in a covenant as shown in the Word:

1 conditions (Ex 19:5-6)
2 agreement of 2 parties (Ex 19:7&8)
3 ratification-outward sign (Ex 24:8)
4 witnesses (Deut 30:19) (Malachi 2:14-God is a witness)

In Judaism, according to Mishnah (the oral law of tradition supposedly based on what was given to Moses on Mt. Sinai) there are 3 ways to contract a betrothal. First, by giving money or an item of value-such as a ring or coins, in the presence of 2 witnesses;2-by a written contract, or 3-by having sexual intercourse with intent of marriage,although this was discouraged by sages and rabbis and it's purpose was only intended for thoe who were marrying after the death of a spouse (levirate marriage).

Before a couple married a ketubah-a Jewish marriage contract was signed and witnessed by 2 people. If a marriage ceremony took place, even if it was witnessed by 2 people, marriage relations were not allowed to take place unless there was a ketubah. The ketubah was an agreement stating that a husband would provide for clothing,shelter, companionship and food for his wife and pay her a sum of money-usually a years worth of support, in the event they were to divorce. It also enabled his wife to collect from his estate the same sum if he was to die. However, I can't find reference to a ketubah more than 2000 years ago, so it's questionable if this has always been in effect.

I don't see where the Bible shows the necessity of an "organized church" ,
or even an ordained "man of God" being involved in a covenant marriage or the government/law unless people are concerned about material possessions (social security issues,insurance benefit issues,wills,etc.) and custody of children should the marriage be dissolved. I think perhaps the "church" became involved as people chose to celebrate their marriages with larger weddings and to include more witnesses. It seems to me that this marriage involves 2 different issues-one spiritual, the other civil, and I don't really see the need for both if the couple are not interested in both.

I did find a website that expressed an opinion on this which is a bit different than mine.(Must marriage be legal to be blessed by God?)

www.comereason.org/soc_culture/soc020.asp

[watchman]

Having read a thread recently where this subject was brought up I started thinking more about it.

A "marriage" is a convenant between 2 people. To Christians it is also a covenant between 2 people and God.

The word covenant in the Bible in the OT is berith. According to Strongs Concordance, the definitions are:
1) covenant, alliance, pledge
a) between men
1) treaty, alliance, league (man to man)
2) constitution, ordinance (monarch to subjects)
3) agreement, pledge (man to man)
4) alliance (of friendship)
5) alliance (of marriage)
b) between God and man
1) alliance (of friendship)
2) covenant (divine ordinance with signs or pledges)

In the NT the Greek word diatheka is used, which according to Strongs means:
1) a disposition, arrangement, of any sort, which one wishes to be valid, the last disposition which one makes of his earthly possessions after his death, a testament or will
2) a compact, a covenant, a testament
a) God's covenant with Noah, etc.

Malachi 2:14 tells us a wife is a companion and wife by covenant and God is a witness to that.
"Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet [is] she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant. "

Matthew 19:6 tells us a marriage covenant shouldn't be broken.
"Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder."

We are told there certain particulars in a covenant as shown in the Word:

1 conditions (Ex 19:5-6)
2 agreement of 2 parties (Ex 19:7&8)
3 ratification-outward sign (Ex 24:8)
4 witnesses (Deut 30:19) (Malachi 2:14-God is a witness)

In Judaism, according to Mishnah (the oral law of tradition supposedly based on what was given to Moses on Mt. Sinai) there are 3 ways to contract a betrothal. First, by giving money or an item of value-such as a ring or coins, in the presence of 2 witnesses;2-by a written contract, or 3-by having sexual intercourse with intent of marriage,although this was discouraged by sages and rabbis and it's purpose was only intended for thoe who were marrying after the death of a spouse (levirate marriage).

Before a couple married a ketubah-a Jewish marriage contract was signed and witnessed by 2 people. If a marriage ceremony took place, even if it was witnessed by 2 people, marriage relations were not allowed to take place unless there was a ketubah. The ketubah was an agreement stating that a husband would provide for clothing,shelter, companionship and food for his wife and pay her a sum of money-usually a years worth of support, in the event they were to divorce. It also enabled his wife to collect from his estate the same sum if he was to die. However, I can't find reference to a ketubah more than 2000 years ago, so it's questionable if this has always been in effect.

I don't see where the Bible shows the necessity of an "organized church" ,
or even an ordained "man of God" being involved in a covenant marriage or the government/law unless people are concerned about material possessions (social security issues,insurance benefit issues,wills,etc.) and custody of children should the marriage be dissolved. I think perhaps the "church" became involved as people chose to celebrate their marriages with larger weddings and to include more witnesses. It seems to me that this marriage involves 2 different issues-one spiritual, the other civil, and I don't really see the need for both if the couple are not interested in both.

I did find a website that expressed an opinion on this which is a bit different than mine.(Must marriage be legal to be blessed by God?)

www.comereason.org/soc_culture/soc020.asp

First, G-d realized Adam required a companion other than Himself for whatever reason (topic for another thread maybe?)

G-d instituted marriage at this time and provided the "valued item" (from Adam's side) very personal as well.

G-d implied the Ketubah and provided it in spoken form, Adam accepted and Adam and Eve were content.

Second, Israelites practiced marriage as a custom that emanated from this first marriage as it survived through Noah. It was both a civil and religious important part of life (as the religious focus drove the civil activities for a long time).

Third, Mosaic law deals with marriage and Jewish custom deals with the Ketubah and the Brit itself. The word Ketubah means "written" the final books of the Hebrew bible are known as Ketuvim or "writings". The Ketubah is to a marriage as the Law given to Moses was to the covenant with the Israelites at Sinai, when the people married G-d, so to speak.

And at the time of Messiah, marriage was both a civil and religious issue, much as it is today, although today it is more seen as a civil issue due to laws and social acceptance more than as a religious covenant between man and wife under the eyes of G-d.

Since we are to follow the law of the land when it is not directly harmful or in opposition to G-d's intentions for us, and there are many spiritual, emotional and other benefits, than that alone should compel us.

Although one can justify that in the beginning simply "honorable intentions" were "good enough", it is of no value, (that I can see) to avoid marriage simply because the world as a whole no longer values it's religious intent.

Since it really is a matter between the man, the woman under the authority of G-d, and by extension a witness to the world of honor, commitment and accountability for the sanctified oneness that is marriage.

I believe blessings occur when one does certain things out of obedience and of good intentions, as well as following the purpose the institutions were established. Much like good farming practices will produce abundant crops (usually) doing things that are good and honorable, puts one in the "receiving" place. As James said, I will show my faith by my works... His faith produced greater works of value because his efforts were in line with his faith, as opposed to one who did no works, or did not see the connection and simply stated that they had faith.

I hope that helps.

[blitzkreig]

Who was it that conducted the ceremony of marriage between Adam and Eve?

[justasinnersavedbygrace]

Thank-you very much for your great explanation Watchman. I appreciate the time you took responding to my post. I have a much better understanding now. :)

Blitzkrieg-God?



[QUOTE=watchman;29964]First, G-d realized Adam required a companion other than Himself for whatever reason (topic for another thread maybe?)

G-d instituted marriage at this time and provided the "valued item" (from Adam's side) very personal as well.

G-d implied the Ketubah and provided it in spoken form, Adam accepted and Adam and Eve were content.

Second, Israelites practiced marriage as a custom that emanated from this first marriage as it survived through Noah. It was both a civil and religious important part of life (as the religious focus drove the civil activities for a long time).