Marriage Matters

142 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from 1Ti 5:9 Do not let a widow under sixty years old be taken into the number, and not unless she has been the wife of one man, 10 well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work. Every jot and tittle, every punctuation mark is significant in the Word of God. Please note the colon found after the phrase, “well reported for good works.” This colon indicates that what follows is a list of good works that would indicate a spiritual maturity or giftedness required to be a part of “the number.” The one who is part of “the number,” doesn't need to have all of these qualifications, but certainly some of this fruit must be evidenced in her life leading up to her occasion of widowhood. But we should not miss the first requirement which is listed outside the colon and therefore is a requirement for all. In order to be a member of “the number,” the widow must first and foremost have been the wife of one husband. This requirement is also found for those who would serve as elders, and those who would serve as deacons, and deaconesses. Why is this faithfulness, “till death do us part,” brought up so much in Scripture? Well if nothing else, let us learn from these portions of Scripture that marriage matters to God. The Bible refers to it as “the institution that God loves.” (Mal 2:11) marriage was instituted by God and among other things is to be a reflection of the relationship between Christ and His church. A relationship that requires constant forgiveness, grace, and mercy.....and faithful endurance. There is much debate about “grounds” for divorce as spelled out in the Word of God. Maybe we would all be better served and God glorified more if we started looking for “grounds” to keep the marriage together. Here's one in this obscure portion of Scripture. Marriage matters! And these kinds of references in Scripture ought to make us pause and reconsider our appreciation of the sanctity of this gift from God.