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[Poll]
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Covenant Spouse/Marriage
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| The first person you marry - ever |
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| The first person you marry after accepting Christ |
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| The person you happen to be married to at the time |
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| Other |
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| Not sure |
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Total Votes : 52
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(last vote on : 11/4/2008 12:46:04 PM)
(Poll will run till: -- )
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RE: Covenant Spouse/Marriage - 6/28/2008 8:57:03 PM
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Marcus.
Posts: 1328
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quote:
ORIGINAL: keepingfaith
quote:
quote:
ORIGINAL: dianetavegia
quote:
ORIGINAL: SealedEternal
According to scripture it is the first, because God joins it for life:
Malachi 2:13 "This is another thing you do: you cover the altar of the LORD with tears, with weeping and with groaning, because He no longer regards the offering or accepts it with favor from your hand. 14 "Yet you say, 'For what reason?' Because the LORD has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. 15 "But not one has done so who has a remnant of the Spirit And what did that one do while he was seeking a godly offspring? Take heed then to your spirit, and let no one deal treacherously against the wife of your youth. 16 "For I hate divorce," says the LORD, the God of Israel, "and him who covers his garment with wrong," says the LORD of hosts. "So take heed to your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously." 17 You have wearied the LORD with your words Yet you say, "How have we wearied Him?" In that you say, "Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and He delights in them," or, "Where is the God of justice?"
The man is told that his first wife is still his wife by covenant even after he divorced her. This is because the marriage covenant is joined by God, who is the author of marriage, and lasts for as long as the two who made it live:
Genesis 2:21-24 So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh at that place. The LORD God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man. The man said, "This is now bone of my bones, And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man." For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.
Matthew 19:4-6 And He answered and said, "Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE, and said, 'FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH'? "So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate."
Mark 10: 6-12 "But from the beginning of creation, God MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE. "FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH; so they are no longer two, but one flesh. "What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate." In the house the disciples began questioning Him about this again. And He *said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her; and if she herself divorces her husband and marries another man, she is committing adultery."
Ephesians 5:22-33 Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, because we are members of His body. FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND SHALL BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH. This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband.
Romans 7:2 For the married woman is bound by law to her husband while he is living; but if her husband dies, she is released from the law concerning the husband. So then, if while her husband is living she is joined to another man, she shall be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from the law, so that she is not an adulteress though she is joined to another man.
1 Corinthians 7:39 A wife is bound as long as her husband lives; but if her husband is dead, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord.
Since it is for life, the first marriage is still valid for as long as the two who made it live. All subsequent covenants while the spouse lives are therefore invalid since the person making it is not eligible to marry.
Luke 16:18 "Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and he who marries one who is divorced from a husband commits adultery.”
SealedEternal
Yep. Exactly what I would have posted.
Agreed.
Me three!!!
His Words over rule all the traditions of men. 
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Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord.
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RE: Covenant Spouse/Marriage - 6/29/2008 10:13:26 PM
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stonek
Posts: 142
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My ex has been married several times and who knows who he is married to now. My onlycovenant is with my christian husband I have today.
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RE: Covenant Spouse/Marriage - 6/30/2008 12:02:47 PM
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Chrystal-J-007
Posts: 617
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From: Detroit
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What happens to the children from a 2nd marriage? Are they illegitimate? Who is their father? The 1st husband? (Cuz the law here in Michigan says the children are the husband's children regardless of who the "real" father is.) Do you take the kids away from their real Dad and make them children of the 1st husband? (Even if the 2nd husband is a Christian and the 1st husband isn't and won't allow the children to be Christian.)
Just curious... (I don't want to debate this--I was just wondering about kids in these situations.)
_____________________________
Worry looks around, Sorrow looks back, Faith looks up
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The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese...timing is everything!
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RE: Covenant Spouse/Marriage - 6/30/2008 1:14:23 PM
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lastblast
Posts: 1603
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Chrystal-J-007
What happens to the children from a 2nd marriage? Are they illegitimate? Who is their father? The 1st husband? (Cuz the law here in Michigan says the children are the husband's children regardless of who the "real" father is.) Do you take the kids away from their real Dad and make them children of the 1st husband? (Even if the 2nd husband is a Christian and the 1st husband isn't and won't allow the children to be Christian.)
Just curious... (I don't want to debate this--I was just wondering about kids in these situations.)
Hi Crystal,
I dont' think "covenant" affects who are the true parents. As in case of Sara/Abraham, Ishmael was not a "covenant" child (meaning he was not a child who belonged to the covenant marriage), yet it did not change the fact that Abraham was his true father.
As for the law in Michigan, the biological father can contest that and then he would be named the "father" of the children with all of it's ensuing obligations. I think many men who do not want the woman will gladly allow another man to assume the role of father to their children.............but truly that is a whole nother topic.
In any case, I don't really see how children validate/invalidate a covenant marriage. Children are born of lawful and unlawful relationships. It does not appear anywhere in scripture where the birth of a child makes a covenant marriage. They either are the product of a covenant marriage or the product of an illicit union in the sight of God (in both cases though, children ARE a blessing!).
_____________________________
Blessings as you seek Him, Cindy
What does the bible say on Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage?
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RE: Covenant Spouse/Marriage - 6/30/2008 1:25:12 PM
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hotsaucygma
Posts: 2982
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quote:
ORIGINAL: lastblast
I think many men who do not want the woman will gladly allow another man to assume the role of father to their children..............
I guess I know a better group of men, I do not personally know any that have gladly allowed another man to assume their role as father- even if they have not wanted to stay married to the child(ren)'s mother.
When my Ex/(and now deceased) husband and I made our "covenant", there were conditions. We each promised to Love, Honor and Cherish, as well as keep only onto the other. One of us kept those vows/conditions, one did not. The covenant was broken.
_____________________________
Dear Lord, let my words today be as sweet and delicious as cheesecake... for tomorrow I may have to eat them!
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RE: Covenant Spouse/Marriage - 6/30/2008 1:35:47 PM
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Chrystal-J-007
Posts: 617
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: Detroit
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quote:
ORIGINAL: lastblast
Hi Crystal,
I dont' think "covenant" affects who are the true parents. As in case of Sara/Abraham, Ishmael was not a "covenant" child (meaning he was not a child who belonged to the covenant marriage), yet it did not change the fact that Abraham was his true father.
As for the law in Michigan, the biological father can contest that and then he would be named the "father" of the children with all of it's ensuing obligations. I think many men who do not want the woman will gladly allow another man to assume the role of father to their children.............but truly that is a whole nother topic.
In any case, I don't really see how children validate/invalidate a covenant marriage. Children are born of lawful and unlawful relationships. It does not appear anywhere in scripture where the birth of a child makes a covenant marriage. They either are the product of a covenant marriage or the product of an illicit union in the sight of God (in both cases though, children ARE a blessing!).
In that case...then the real father would give up his children to be raised by the 1st husband? Or the 2nd husband would keep the kids and the wife would give them up? (Just trying to clarify your post.)
Would the wife go back to the 1st husband and then not see her kids by her 2nd husband or would she visit them?
(A man can contest in Michigan, but they usually lose. Some guy took his case all the way to the Michigan Supreme Court and lost even though DNA proved it was his child.)
What if the 1st husband had kids by his 2nd wife. When he went back to his 1st wife, would she (the 1st wife) have to raise the kids after she gave up her own kids to her 2nd husband?
...sorry so many questions..just trying to figure this out.
_____________________________
Worry looks around, Sorrow looks back, Faith looks up
~~
The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese...timing is everything!
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RE: Covenant Spouse/Marriage - 6/30/2008 7:55:38 PM
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Roberta_
Posts: 6993
Joined: 9/28/2007
From: East Bay Area
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Those are probably great questions for the MDR thread.
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RE: Covenant Spouse/Marriage - 6/30/2008 8:20:41 PM
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Chrystal-J-007
Posts: 617
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: Detroit
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quote:
ORIGINAL: DenimDiva
Those are probably great questions for the MDR thread.
What is MDR? (thanks, by the way..lol) Sorry I don't know--I hardly ever post in this forum.
_____________________________
Worry looks around, Sorrow looks back, Faith looks up
~~
The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese...timing is everything!
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RE: Covenant Spouse/Marriage - 6/30/2008 8:23:15 PM
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Roberta_
Posts: 6993
Joined: 9/28/2007
From: East Bay Area
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MDR- Marriage, Divorce and Remarriage (<--link) or maybe it's called something else.
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RE: Covenant Spouse/Marriage - 6/30/2008 9:20:24 PM
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Roberta_
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You're welcome.
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RE: Covenant Spouse/Marriage - 7/1/2008 12:38:44 PM
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doinkdom
Posts: 4279
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quote:
ORIGINAL: SealedEternal
quote:
ORIGINAL: doinkdom
so if unbelieving spouse leaves and divorces believing spouse, then believing spouse must forever remain single because why? seems that the whole "not be enslaved" would free them from that.
All the text says is that they are not enslaved to live with the unbeliever who refuses to dwell with them, but Paul and Jesus both say that the marriage covenant is for life and cannot be dissolved except by death. They must remain single because they made a commitment to this person for life, and are responsible for that commitment regardless of the actions of the other person. That's what an unconditional lifelong commitment (covenant) is. There is no sin or anything my wife could do to make me not honor my commitment (covenant) to her because it is unconditional and I will be held accountable for my end of it regardless. Otherwise it isn't unconditional and simply becomes a waiting game for the other person to make the first move and, then to claim it's his/her fault and I'm free from my covenant and innocent of all wrongdoing.
SealedEternal
I was an unbeliever married to an unbeliever. We were divorced based on physical abuse. He re-remarried 2 years later. I remained single for 14 years.
I became a Christian. I am now married. My husband is a Christian and our marriage is a covenant marriage before God and witnesses.
I had a biblical divorce and I now have a biblical marriage.
And no stretching of this word or that verse will change that. God the Father knows me and He is my authority. I have studied His word and have found comfort and peace in knowing that my marriage is no less than anyone else's nor am I any more/less forgiven than another brother/sister in Christ.
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RE: Covenant Spouse/Marriage - 8/22/2008 7:46:17 PM
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p.progress
Posts: 150
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quote:
ORIGINAL: DenimDiva
Who is the Covenant Spouse and why?
This is a question that was asked in the Remarriage After Divorce, but please do not discuss divorce and remarriage.
Let's just discuss who the covenant spouse is or which marriage is the covenant marriage.
Please state how you voted and feel free to discuss all views.
Vote: Other
While there is no phrase found in the scriptures as follows: 'covenant spouse'; 'covenant marriage'; 'covenant wedding'; 'covenant espousal' or 'covenant relationship'. There is one phrase in scripture and one only that comes close to any of this, which many of you probably know of or have heard at one time or another: "...the wife of thy covenant".
"Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet [is] she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant." [Mal 2:14]
And the fact that there is no such phrase is important - on one hand - to take notice of, be careful and alert not to assume too much with regard to men's teachings that use this phraseology. Let us stick close to what the scriptures SPECIFICALLY state and reveal about the will of God regarding the "one-flesh" relationship between a man and "the wife of his covenant".
On the other hand - the use of this phrase, when understood precisely that it is not a scripturally precise phrase, but one that can when used aright, when used to address the real scriptural issues with regard to the phrase of the "wife of thy covenant", then I have no problem with it.
I said in the pole 'other', because while the first 'marriage' OUGHT to be the ONLY lawful and 'covenant' union, this is not always the case.
But no time now to elaborate.
"Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet [is] she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.
And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.
For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for [one] covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously."
< Message edited by p.progress -- 8/22/2008 8:05:16 PM >
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RE: Covenant Spouse/Marriage - 8/23/2008 4:10:31 AM
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Roberta_
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Interesting points p.progress.
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RE: Covenant Spouse/Marriage - 8/24/2008 11:48:55 PM
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yours
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I agree with everything SealedEternal has written; marriage is forever, until one of the spouses dies, period.
I don't know if anyone has ever heard of something called a salt covenant. Basically, it's what men did eons ago that stood as a promise or an agreement that could not be broken unless one of the promisees died.
During the era when this was practiced, salt was considered currency, so men would carry it around on their person, in pouches. If they needed to enter into a covenant or promise with another man (NOT marriage, folks), they would take salt from their pouch and put it into the pouch of the other party while agreeing to whatever they were agreeing to. By exchanging their salt, it made the covenant binding no matter what because it was impossible to retrieve that was put in the other persons bag. So I believe is the same with marriage. It doesn't matter what happens that makes you get divorced. You promised, swore, and agreed to be one flesh with that person FOREVER. People change, but that doesn't change what you agreed to.
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RE: Covenant Spouse/Marriage - 8/25/2008 1:24:06 PM
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daughter_of_faith
Posts: 1265
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If a person is not faithful or abusive that changes a lot of things. Thankfully that is not the discussion of this thread.
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RE: Covenant Spouse/Marriage - 8/30/2008 5:55:14 PM
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p.progress
Posts: 150
Joined: 12/23/2006
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quote:
ORIGINAL: hotsaucygma
When my Ex/(and now deceased) husband and I made our "covenant", there were conditions. We each promised to Love, Honor and Cherish, as well as keep only onto the other. One of us kept those vows/conditions, one did not. The covenant was broken.
Those were promises and vows YOU made; you BOTH made to one another. All based upon and understood within the context of a culture's traditionalized conception - misconception of what constitutes the "one-flesh" union. Which "one-flesh" union, God establishes between a man and his wife and the wife to her husband when the few requirements he has stipulated (revealed in scripture) have been meet. Which is to say that their is a difference...a fundamental difference and divide between that which God does on a permenate basis and that which men do. When two seek to become united as man and wife, they do aright when the consent of the daughters father to give her is willingly obtained. They can 'marry', but that does not mean that God was there to sanctify their designs and desires intents, God is not forced to honor two (a man and a woman) who have rejected hi scommand to first do that which God commanded at the first: "Honor their father and mother." And for the man that would think to "covet" then take that which is not his to take from his neighbor - his neighbor's daughter, how can he seriously think that God is obligated to automatically honor his intentions in this regard. We cannot twist God's arm in this way, and talk about folly...it is in 'my estimation', the height of 'folly' to think otherwise.
And it is not true honor to one's father or mother to on one hand, speak in a pseudo-'sweatly'-'respectful'-like tone to them; while 'sweatly' casting aside and in full disregard defy their will on such matters. That is to say, the daughter that would think to have God sanctify her defiance of her father's will and would 'marry' one that her father utterly refuses to "give" her to "to wife"...now THAT IS true folly!!!
If you want to call what you do human to human 'vows' and 'promise' wise, a 'covenant'...fine I suppose. But it is a mistake to think that this 'covenant' is what God is fundamentally looking at. The vows and promises made by men and women at a wedding ceremony have nothing at all to do with what God does when HE makes the twain one-flesh. This work of God and the state of it is not governed by what men say or do in these ceremonies in large part.
The work of God in the making of the twain one-flesh is not based upon the keeping or breaking of the promises or vows that men and women make; nor ONLY remains in effect as long as they 'keep' their so-called 'vows or 'promises' to one another. To prove this is easy and that by just one passage, even though there are numerous others and manifest as fact on other levels as well.
The husband that puts away and divorces his wife who does not 'deserve' his rejection of her; if she marry again: Do the scriptures not state that Christ says she committedth adutery...and the man that marrys her committeth adultery? Wha tdo you 'think'? I perfer to 'think' what God thinks here.
P.P.
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RE: Covenant Spouse/Marriage - 9/25/2008 3:05:27 AM
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divorcingmyself
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I choose "other". PP's analysis is closer to what I would think. There is no reason to think that the covenants in the OT were always eternal (unless you are a covenant Calvinist). The Hebrew word used in the Mal text was used for confederacy or alliance. It was also used to describe friendships. So, taking one use of the word to support one's deeply held cultural belief really isn't good exegesis.
Personally, I think that the couple know when they become one flesh in the spiritual sense and at that point reflect a covenant relationship, as the term is used these days among Christians. Covenants are not contracts as there is no payment ("consideration" to use legal term of art) and control the behavior of the parties in the covenant. Further, the covenant usually controlled only the behavior of the one making the covenant and only that person could break the covenant. That is why in traditional marriage vows, both are asked separately to state "I do" and therefore, at the end of the ceremony, there are (at best) two covenants in place. But the proof of the covenant is in the person's behaving as agreed.
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RE: Covenant Spouse/Marriage - 9/25/2008 2:40:45 PM
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Roberta_
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I guess I'll never understand how a marriage can be a covenant if it wasn't done before God?
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RE: Covenant Spouse/Marriage - 9/25/2008 5:31:18 PM
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tn1
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I voted other because the 3rd option implied a devaluing of marriage as if marriage were disposable, though the 3rd option is technically correct. Marriage is established by covenant and can be broken; but of course there are usually very negative ramifications for doing so.
Unfortunately, there is significant errant teaching in the church concerning marriage covenants. Many assume that the word “covenant” is a specific biblical term, clearly defining a relationship. However, the word “covenant,” in the Bible and throughout the ancient Near East, was a broad term used to describe a wide variety of relationships: simple contracts, treaties between nations, marriages, indentured slave/master relationships, God’s relationship with the nation of Israel, and God’s promise not to flood the world. Sadly, many theologians and pastors fail to recognize the contractual element of a marriage covenant.
David Instone-Brewer devotes the entire first chapter of his book, “Divorce and Remarriage in the Bible” to discuss the contractual nature of marriage as understood in the Near East in biblical times. I highly recommend this book for further study on this and related issues. For the conclusion of chapter one, Dr. Instone-Brewer writes:
… marriage in the Pentateuch is a contract between two families and between two individuals. This contract was often recorded in a document which included the financial arrangements, the stipulations which could lead to divorce if broken, and the financial arrangements in the event of divorce. Many of these documents have been found dating from the seventh century BCE. The details recorded in these documents, and the language which is used to record them, finds exact parallels in the Pentateuch. The Old Testament speaks of marriage as a ‘covenant’ (tyrb), which was the ancient Near Eastern term for any kind of binding agreement or contract. The correct term for a marriage agreement in the Old Testament is therefor a ‘marriage contract’. Like any other contract, this contained an agreement and penalties for breaking the agreement. The penalty for breaking the marriage contract was divorce with loss of the dowry.
Dr. Instone-Brewer makes a convincing argument supporting the assertion that; “The correct term for a marriage agreement in the Old Testament is a ‘marriage contract.’” However, does the English word “contract” adequately define a marriage relationship? In English, “contract” is most commonly used as a legal term with its strength in its specificity, clarity, and declared penalties for the breaking of the contract. An ironclad contract is one in which there are no loopholes or means of breaking the contract without penalty. The word “contract” usually applies to tangible and measurable elements of a relationship such as finances, responsibilities, and/or material ownership. The word “contract” also has the connotation of an insensitive, cold, calculating, and business-type relationship. However, marriage is far more than the English word “contract” can define or connote.
The English word “covenant” is a better term for describing the marriage union, though having virtually the same meaning as the word “contract.” Covenant is more of a relational word that often implies a personal commitment of the involved parties to each other that far exceeds the financial, material, or legal aspects of the relationship. The word “covenant” is often biblically used as a broad, inclusive, and non-specific relational vow establishing new “family” ties. Furthermore, although the financial and material aspects of the covenant might be covered by a written contract and enforceable through civil law, the strength of a covenant is almost wholly dependent upon the moral character of the covenantors, the ones making the covenant.
The word “contract” is an integral part of the word “covenant;” but “covenant” is not necessarily implied in the word “contract.” Contracts are specific and legally enforceable covenants, whereas the relational elements of covenants are neither specific nor legally enforceable. For example, mutual love, honor, submission, trust, and faithfulness are all elements of a Christian marriage covenant; but these are intangible, immeasurable attributes that are not legally enforceable due to their ethereal nature.
Although the word “covenant” does best describe the marriage union; I hesitate to use it, especially among Christians, because errant teaching concerning the word “covenant” has helped to promote errant concepts concerning marriage and divorce. In fact, the word “covenant” has been so “spiritualized” that it has lost much of its practical meaning and application. What do I mean by spiritualized? Various covenants that God established with mankind are incorrectly used as a standard for defining and describing fundamental elements of marriage covenants.
Divine covenants are often, but not always, unilateral (completely one-sided), universal, unbreakable, unconditional, and eternal. However, marriage covenants are bilateral, requiring both parties’ endorsement and support. They are breakable, being conditional upon the moral character and actions of the covenantors; and temporal, ending at the dissolving of the covenant (divorce), or the death of one of the covenantors (the husband or wife).
A premier example of a divine covenant is the one Noah received. After the flood destroyed the world, and living in the ark for 375 days, Noah and his family stepped foot once again upon dry ground. God had spared them from the most devastating cataclysmic terrestrial event of all time. Overwhelmed with gratitude for God’s miraculous protection, provision, and for finally standing on solid earth again, Noah sacrificed some of the clean (as in edible) animals that he had personally cared for throughout their time on the ark! This was an amazing feat when one considers that these animals were the foundation for his family’s future provision. This sacrifice exhibited his radical trust in God, which pleased God greatly! The Bible then says that,
Then God spoke to Noah and to his sons with him, saying: “And as for Me, behold, I establish My covenant with you and with your descendants after you, … Never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood; never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.” And God said: “This is the sign of the covenant which I make between Me and you, and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: “I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. (Genesis 9:8-14 NCV)
This divine covenant is unilateral in that God makes this covenant with or without man’s acceptance or agreement. It is universal in that it applies to all of mankind. It is also unbreakable, because God’s moral character is without flaw. “God is not a man that He should lie” (Numbers 23:19 NKJV). Note that even this covenant is dependent upon the covenantor’s character.
We run into problems when we try to apply the fundamental elements of this divine covenant to marriage covenants. Unlike this divine covenant, marriage covenants are in no way unilateral; they are bilateral, requiring the endorsement and support of both the husband and wife. Though the wife does everything in her power to make the marriage work, if her husband hardens his heart and legally dissolves the covenant, the marriage is broken.
Marriage covenants are also not universal, but are provincial in that their foundational assumptions and expectations are dependent upon their cultural settings or the specified elements of the covenant. For example, the marriage covenants and relationships between a polygamous husband and his wives in Saudi Arabia are very different than the marriage covenant and relationship between a monogamous husband and wife in the United States of America. Different cultures have different marriage and family arrangements and covenants. Some are closer to the divine ideal than others, but that does not make the covenants any less real or binding.
Furthermore, marriage covenants are by no means indissoluble, especially when one considers the inherent depravity of mankind. It is because of this depravity, the hard-heartedness of mankind, that God inspired the bill of divorce. The Mosaic bill of divorce facilitated the legal and social dissolution of marriages that had gone awry, and specifically enabled divorcées to remarry without fear of negative social, religious, or civil repercussions.
Marriage covenants are NOT unconditional! Though modern western marriage vows do not specify conditions upon which the marriage will be dissolved; mutual love, honor, respect, and fidelity are stated and implied in the ceremony and understood by the couple, the witnesses, the one performing the ceremony, and God. A habitual breach of any of these elements of the covenant is a legally and morally acceptable reason for the dissolution of the marriage relationship—divorce! Ultimately, marriage covenants are only as strong as the moral character of the covenantors. Outside factors such as family, the church, civil law, social norms, and friends have minimal influence upon the strength of marriage covenants. It is character that matters.
If you want a strong marriage, be and marry a person of strong moral character, a person for whom your word is your bond.
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