CHAPTER 25: Of Marriage
(Parts Five through Seven)
In addition to the Confession’s reflection of the biblical teaching that marriage is to be between one man and one woman, we are reminded of the biblical prohibition against marrying a close relative (Leviticus 18:6). How close is too close? Check your state laws—they are pretty reliable, at least in the sense of prohibiting marriage between relatives that are genetically too close to have children safely.
While most people do not need to be told not to marry a sibling (thanks to the naturally built in “ick-factor”), why does God voice this prohibition in the Law? Because, as Malachi 2:15 teaches, one of God’s purposes for marriage is procreating children. When close relatives have children, those children will likely have genetic problems. Therefore, God’s prohibition of marrying close relatives is, in part, to shield us from damaging the human gene pool. God loves us so, He forbids us from doing what is not good.
Sadly, our so-called “open-minded,” “progressive” (read: destructive) culture frequently views children as a problem instead of a blessing. So if laws change allowing marriage between near relatives, obey God rather than either culture or government.
(Part Six)
Another point regarding marriage from the Confession: Believers are to marry only in the faith. People often object, insisting this is unfair. After all, “What if two people from different religions are in love?” As always, God’s laws are for our good and for the good of our children after us. When people from two different religious convictions marry, the time will come when it will matter. It will almost certainly happen if they have children and want to raise the children differently.
One of two things will almost certainly happen in a spiritually mixed-marriage. Either one will be drawn away from his or her convictions for the sake of peace, or both will end up abandoning any real spiritual convictions to avoid conflict. Neither is good for the parents, of for their children!
(Part Seven)
Why should anyone be concerned about the danger of a believer marrying a non-believer? After all, how could it be wrong if two people love each other? Listen to God in the matter of His people intermarrying with non-believers:
Nor shall you make marriages with them. You shall not give your daughter to their son, nor take their daughter for your son. For they will turn your sons away from following Me, to serve other gods; so the anger of the LORD will be aroused against you and destroy you suddenly. Deuteronomy 7:3-4
While the prohibition of spiritually mixed marriages is repeated throughout the Bible, it remains one of most commonly ignored commands. Listen to Nehemiah contend with the believers of his day who violated God’s command in this manner:
Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? Yet among many nations there was no king like him, who was beloved of his God; and God made him king over all Israel. Nevertheless pagan women caused even him to sin. Should we then hear of your doing all this great evil, transgressing against our God by marrying pagan women? Nehemiah 13:26-26
Romantic love, as wonderful as it is, is never an acceptable reason to disobey God! Remember, God’s prohibitions are for our good.