Adam’s And Eve’s Wedding Vows – The Perfect Blueprint

Feature 2 – May 2024 – Grace & Truth Magazine

Adam’s And Eve’s Wedding Vows
God’s Perfect Blueprint

God instituted marriage. It is a wonderful institution. In fact, before sin came into the world through the fall of Adam and Eve, marriage had already been established: “The L ORD God said, ‘It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him’” (Gen. 2:18 NKJV ).

The animals that God created were not comparable to Adam. For example, his greater intelligence is seen as he named all of the cattle, birds of the air, and beasts of the field. It was only after God put Adam in a deep sleep, took one of his ribs and built a woman, that the man had a comparable partner.

The entire process, initiated by God, is the perfect blueprint for marriage. The process instructs us as to:

• The LORD God’s desire for marriage between a man and a woman.
• The building of the woman specifically for Adam.
• The woman being brought to the man.
• The man’s realization that she was unique.
• The wedding vows.
• The witness of the first wedding.

Each point is rich in instruction for every courtship and marriage. Consider, for instance, the beauty of Adam’s vows and God’s declaration that followed: “‘This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman because she was taken out of Man.’ Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed” (vv.23-25).

God’s Institution – Genesis 2:18
Adam was placed in the magnificent garden of Eden (v.15). He was surrounded by the beauty of creation and enjoyed the company of the many kinds of animals, but they were not his companions. Adam was also blessed with the responsibility of work; yes, work is a blessing given to man.

Yet God had someone in mind for Adam; it was in His counsels from eternity. God does not want us to be alone. Proverbs 18:22 states, “He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the LORD.” When a believer finds a wife, the Lord’s favor is upon him. Likewise, when a Christian woman gets married to the believing man whom the Lord has for her, she has found God’s favor. Who else could design such a wonderful institution for man?

The Lord Jesus told the Pharisees, “So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate” (Mt. 19:6). The Pharisees were trying to trap the Lord Jesus in a discussion about divorce, but they failed miserably.

Although marriage is God’s institution between one man and one woman, there is an exception. There are some servants of the Lord who remain single to serve Him exclusively. The Lord Jesus told His disciples, “There are eunuchs who were born thus from their mother’s womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake” (v.12). The apostle Paul stated, “I wish that all men were even as I myself. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that” (1 Cor. 7:7). Paul was able to remain single and serve the Lord.

God gave the bond of marriage to us. Not only is the union God ordained, but He has a specific partner for each one of us. We need to seek His face, and He will show each one whom to marry.

Eve Made For Adam – Genesis 2:21
Eve was made specifically for Adam. He was put in a deep sleep, and the LORD took one of his ribs and made – literally, built – a woman. What an awesome God!

He took the rib from Adam’s side. It has often been stated that God did not take a bone from Adam’s head that he might control Eve, nor did He take a bone from Adam’s foot that he might trample her. He took a rib from Adam’s side that they may be side by side. Yes, he is her head, but they are united beside each other (1 Cor. 11:3). Each has a different role in the marriage, but they are equally valued in the sight of God. The husband is not superior to the wife, and the wife is not inferior to the husband! They are equal.

A beautiful type of Christ and Church is seen in the formation of Eve. Adam was put into a deep sleep; our blessed Lord and Savior went into death (Eph. 5:25). A rib was taken from Adam’s side to receive his bride. After the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross, a soldier pierced His side and out flowed blood and water (Jn. 19:34). The Lord’s precious, shed blood is the basis for the formation of the Church. In a soon coming day the Lord Jesus Christ will receive His Bride: the Church.

Marriages are made in heaven. Every Christian who desires to marry should seek the Lord about His specific partner for him or her. Prayer is essential. The Bible is also clear about not marrying unbelievers. Second Corinthians 6:14 says, “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?”

Brought Her To The Man – Genesis 2:22
This verse is beautiful: “He brought her to the man.” Not only was Eve made especially for Adam but she was also brought to him by the LORD. In this, Adam was completely in the will of God. It is imperative that each spouse is brought to the other by the Lord. Marriage has it challenges, but if each is in the will of God they can overcome anything with His help.

In Genesis 24 Rebekah was brought to Isaac. It is a beautiful story. She had heard about him from Abraham’s servant, received some of his gifts and longed to meet Isaac. With her approval, she was brought from Mesopotamia to Canaan. Rebekah and Isaac finally met and were married. Notice the order: “Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent; and he took Rebekah and she became his wife, and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death” (v.67). We do not fall out of love after we take our vows; love continues after marriage! Marriage should comfort both partners.

Those who are single should wait on the Lord to bring the person that He has in mind for them. Do your part: pray, stay pure, read and obey His Word. Serve Him as you wait. He will bring the person to you.

Adam’ And Eve’s Wedding Vows – Genesis 2:24-25
We see in Genesis 2:23 that Adam understood that Eve was a part of him; she was taken from him. It is important that the closeness and interconnectivity of marriage be recognized. Married couples complete each other. In verse 24 the Lord stated that a man must leave his parents’ house, cleave to his wife and establish his own household. That is a godly principle that is just as valuable today as the day it was first stated: leave and cleave! Of course the son loves his parents, but he must move on.

Many problems arise from husbands who leave but don’t cleave. Husbands and wives must work together. They are to make decisions together. He cannot run back to his family for his marital decisions. At times godly counsel is needed, but the husband must be joined to his wife. God also stated that the two shall be one flesh; this is vital! The two are to be united in everything. They are one. What a magnificent declaration! They are united in soul, mind and body. First, God means everything to them individually and everything to them as a couple, and then they mean everything to each other. Marriage equals unity.

God As The Witness – Genesis 2:15-25
Every couple that gets married needs a witness. Normally those in the marriage party, the bridesmaids and the groomsmen, are witnesses, as are the families and guests. The marriage officiant also brings in God as a witness. It is true: God is the silent Witness of every wedding. With Adam and Eve, He was the only Witness. He heard their vows and saw their wedding, and it is wonderful to see the word “wife” for the first time in Scripture (v.24). There could be no greater witness. He expected Adam and Eve to keep their vows, and He expects no less from us.

Conclusion
Marriage is dear to God’s heart, and we know the Lord Jesus graced a wedding with His presence in Cana of Galilee (Jn. 2:1-11). We do not read about the details of many weddings in the Bible, yet God has left us the perfect blueprint in Genesis 2 – a wonderful design which would serve us well to follow.

By Albert Stuart