Yesterday, December 26, was a good day. Two significant things happened: I finished reading through my Bible for the year, and it was my wife Holly’s birthday. Interestingly, these two coalesced together as I read the book of Malachi, and finished Psalms, Proverbs and Revelation. There were passages in these that tied together with Holly, and I put together a short devotional for our family time in the evening, and I’ll share it here as well.
Biblically, marriage is a long-term picture that points us to an eternal reality. Through marriage, we get a glimpse of the relationship between God and Israel in the Old Testament, and between Christ and the Church in the New Testament. In Malachi 2:14-16, God makes clear that Israel has “dealt wickedly/treacherously” (New King James Version) with the Lord, being unfaithful in their “marriage.” He says in v.14 that the wife is to be “your companion and your wife by covenant.” In v.15, we are reminded that God made husband and wife “one” so that there would be “godly offspring.” Therefore, he urges his readers to “take heed to your spirit.” Guard your heart, that it will not wander from your covenant commitment. God hates the breaking of the marital covenant (v.16), so he repeats the need to “take heed to your spirit.”
The next thing I read tied perfectly with this, Proverbs 31:10-31. I know many women do not like this passage because they feel they can never measure up. But it paints a beautiful picture of the spiritual, moral and character descriptions of an excellent wife, which are far more significant than physical qualities. As I considered my wife in view of this passage, here are some of her qualities I witness that the writer applauds: virtue (10), completely trustworthy (11), does good not evil (12), hardworking (13-19), cares about needy (20), wears a purple robe (22), demonstrates wisdom and kindness (26), and finally a strong reminder that physical beauty is deceptive but fear of the Lord endures (30).
God has blessed me with an excellent wife, and I am fully committed to her. She is my companion and wife by covenant (Malachi 2), and I praise her (Prov.31:28). In this age and culture of self-absorption (how can I get my needs and desires met) and shallow commitments (I’ll stay as long as convenient), our three kids should rest in the security that their mother and father are lifelong companions by covenant and choice. We don’t have perfect marriage, just like church’s relationship to our spiritual Bridegroom is not perfect, and Israel’s relationship with God was not perfect. But I rejoice in the wife of my youth, and thank God for her.
This ties in with the final portion of the reading, which was Revelation 21-22. In 21:2 it says that John saw “the New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” The day will come when we (Christians/Church) will be fully prepared for the Lord, beautifully adorned, pure and holy, ready for the marriage feast and an eternally-fulfilling relationship with the Lord. The deeper eternal reality behind the temporary picture of marriage is that we belong to God and await the fulfillment of our marriage in the eternal state. The best is yet to come!
I told my kids that my hope and prayer is that if the Lord’s plan for them is to be married, the Lord blesses each of them with a spouse as he has blessed me: a companion and covenant partner. Virtuous and trustworthy, doing good, hardworking, caring, wise and kind, fearing Lord, and one who draws them throughout their life to anticipate the consummation of the marriage picture in our eternal, glorious relationship with the Lord God and Jesus Christ.
I love you, Holly Belz. Happy Birthday!