Two Becoming One

"That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh." 
Genesis 2:23-24 (NIV)   

You slammed the bedroom door again last night. Is this really what God meant by 'one flesh'?

When God brings Eve to Adam in today’s verse, we witness the actual wedding ceremony. Adam looks at her and declares, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh." It's poetry, it’s wonder, it's the first love song ever written.

The Hebrew word for woman used in this verse is “Ishah”, which comes from the Hebrew word “anash” meaning "fragile." The Hebrew word used in this verse for man, “Ish”, comes from “usah,” which means "strength." God built masculinity into men and femininity into women from the beginning. And according to their Maker, male and female are the only two pieces of the marriage puzzle that fit together.

After God’s Word describes the individuals, He explains what happens when He brings them together: “...a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh." (Gen. 2:24, NIV) The Hebrew word "one"—echad—describes unity with diversity, like God being one yet three persons. “One” doesn't mean you become clones. It means two distinct people choosing to move in the same direction.

Now, I know one flesh sounds great until the fighting starts. Next time you're arguing about money or parenting, stop before you storm off. Look at your spouse and say: 'We're one flesh. Let's pray before we let this divide us.” Then hold hands and pray together.

Remember: God intends to bring you together as one, and that’s not a quick or easy process. It takes a lot of patience, a consistent trust in God, and a whole lot more humility than any one of us prefers! 

Let the Holy Spirit give you the grace to choose unity over winning an argument. Even if you still disagree, you've honored God's design by refusing to let conflict break what He's joined. That's the kind of unity you can experience on Wednesday morning. 

Prayer: Father, thank you for creating marriage. I trust that marriage is Your idea, and Lord, I know that when You call me to something, You supply me with grace to fulfil your purpose. Give me the humility to choose unity over pride so that our marriage reflects Your loving care and commitment. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.