Marriage Is A Covenant | Derek Prince On Marriage

Summary

The transcript explores the biblical foundation of marriage as a covenant, emphasizing its sacred and binding nature. It highlights key scriptural references that demonstrate how marriage mirrors the covenant between God and His people. The speaker contrasts the seriousness of adultery (as the breaking of a covenant) with fornication (which, though immoral, does not break a covenant). The concept of marriage as a 'mystery' is also explored, likening it to a divine secret revealed only to those who fear God. The discussion underscores the profound spiritual and relational depth of marriage.

Takeaways

• 😀 Marriage is a covenant: It is the most solemn and binding form of commitment, and no lasting relationship can exist without it.
• 😀 The three primary covenant relationships in the Bible are: The relationship between God and believers, believers with one another, and the marriage relationship.
• 😀 Unfaithfulness in marriage, such as adultery, is a violation of the covenant, making it a much more serious sin than fornication.
• 😀 A marriage covenant is made before God, and breaking this covenant is seen as breaking faith with God Himself.
• 😀 Adultery is more serious than fornication because it directly involves the breaking of a covenant, whereas fornication is simply immoral behavior without the violation of a covenant.
• 😀 God reveals the mystery of covenant only to those who fear Him, as stated in Psalm 25:14.
• 😀 Marriage, as taught in Ephesians 5:32, is a mystery that parallels the relationship between Christ and the Church.
• 😀 The concept of 'mystery' in the New Testament refers to something that can only be fully understood through initiation and experience, such as marriage.
• 😀 Even with extensive study, the full understanding of marriage can only come from the experience of being married.
• 😀 Faithfulness in marriage is so important that God will not listen to prayers from those who break their marital covenant, as seen in Malachi 2:13-14.

Q & A

What is the foundational truth about marriage according to the transcript?

Marriage is described as a covenant, which is the most solemn and binding form of commitment in the Bible.

Which three key relationships in the Bible are based on covenants?

The relationship of a believer to God, the relationship of believers to one another, and the relationship of a husband to his wife are all covenant-based.

How does Proverbs 2:16 illustrate the concept of covenant in marriage?

Proverbs 2:16 warns against being unfaithful, showing that a woman who forsakes her companion of youth is breaking the covenant she made before God with her husband.

What point does Malachi 2 make about faithfulness in marriage?

Malachi 2 emphasizes that God does not accept prayers from those who are unfaithful to their spouse, identifying such men as covenant breakers.

Why is adultery considered more serious than fornication in the transcript?

Adultery involves breaking a covenant, whereas fornication does not, making adultery a far more serious sin.

How is understanding the concept of covenant revealed according to Psalm 25:14?

Covenant is a divine secret revealed only to those who fear God; only through God’s revelation can it be truly understood.

What does Ephesians 5:32 say about marriage?

Ephesians 5:32 describes marriage as a 'great mystery,' paralleling the relationship between Christ and the church, which can only be fully understood through participation.

Why is marriage described as a mystery in the transcript?

Marriage is a mystery because it requires initiation and lived experience to fully understand, similar to secret teachings in ancient mystery religions.

What practical advice is given for those who are not yet married?

Books and teachings can provide knowledge, but the true understanding of marriage can only come through the experience of being married.

What is the spiritual consequence of breaking the marriage covenant?

Breaking the marriage covenant, through acts like adultery, can result in God not hearing prayers or regarding religious acts, emphasizing the seriousness of faithfulness.

How does the transcript connect marriage to one's relationship with God?

Marriage is a covenant, and faithfulness in it reflects a person’s reverence for God, similar to other covenantal relationships with Him and fellow believers.