Marriage, One Flesh

A Biblically joined marriage enjoys what the Lord knows to be unity. Our key Scripture says, "They shall become one flesh.) (Genesis 2:24) "one" (ehad) "stresses unity while recognizing diversity within the oneness." (Marriage, From Surviving to Thriving, Swindoll; The Complete Word Study Dictionary: Old Testament)

The perfect Biblical presentation of this is found in Exodus 26:6, “You shall make fifty clasp of gold, and join the curtains to one another with the clasps so that the tabernacle will be a unit.” (Exodus 26:6) Several translations say, “couple the curtains one to the other with clasps, so that the tabernacle may be a single whole one [unit].” (English Standard Version; King James)

Moses used the same Hebrew word for one (ehad) for the building of the tabernacle and for bringing into complex unity of man and woman for marriage. "This unity is diversity brought into harmony." (Marriage, From Surviving to Thriving, Swindoll)

I especially appreciate an illustration from the book “Love Is A Choice.” What Moses was writing “is the picture that is seen in a figure-skating couple gliding across the ice. The man and woman intertwine their arms and legs, spinning and twirling in perfect synchronized movements with music playing. Their movements are individual, different, yet carefully executed so that you see them as one working unit. Then suddenly they part ways and move in opposite directions, spin in perfect unison, they come together again, creating a beautiful picture of two people living as “one-flesh.” (Marriage, From Surviving to Thriving, Swindoll)

The Christian marriage surrendered to the Lordship of Christ as head of the relationship has individual movements which are different, yet present to an on looking world a picture of unity, a couple working in harmony for the glory of God who created the marriage covenant. There is such a unity, that even when the couple are not together in one place, those who know their lives, know who each person belongs to as well as their vision in this life.

Let God, Christ and the Holy Spirit make you one flesh