"When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, saying, 'I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.'" Hebrews 6:13 Acton Insights 3: "The Centrality of the Family in Ancient Israel." (Dr. Hahn)
Did you know the origin of the "Pinky Promise" was first made to symbolize the seriousness of the agreement between two parties? By linking the pinkies together both parties were committing to having their least critical digit cut off if one person weaseled out of the promise. Kinda creepy? However, the "Pinky Promise" is no longer taken so serious; but rather, it has become a cute little sign of keeping secrets between two fun friends. I think this is the way most agreements have changed in our society -- we no longer intend the same degree of seriousness or earnestness in a handshake, a signature on a contract, and even an oath before a pastor or priest as we once did. Contemporary agreements now presume the presence of loopholes and wiggle room; if a better option opens up, you would be a fool not to take it. After all, if the conditions change, why can't my mind? I should be able to leave my original agreement for something better, right? We live in a perpetual state of having our fingers crossed behind our backs, and the verse Psalm 15:4 no longer really applies, "A godly man will keep his oath even when it hurts." What is so special about a promise, and why does it matter? Especially when it comes to marriage - - how serious should we take our vows to "Love and to Cherish; till Death Do Us Part?" Does God even care what we say? Words, after all, are just sounds, noises, grunts and syllables signifying nothing. On day two of the Acton Institute, I attended a session that dealt with oaths, marriage, family and God. The main point of this class was to point out how we as a nation, are losing the sacredness and gravity of communal and familial commitments. And as a result, untold havoc is taking place in every level of American society. We have not just lost our understanding of how to define marriage, but we are forfeiting God's blessing as well. Let me explain... The teacher, Dr. Hahn, opened up with the premise that the plan of God has always been to redeem mankind through covenants formed with communities of people. The word covenant at it's core means to "come together, to agree and then bind your life with God." Covenants involve sacredness, the presence of the life and blessing of God in the midst of a community. And it all begins with a communal oath initiated by God. What is an oath? A sacramental and serious vow that ... * Begins with a Promise (Hebrews 6:17) * is Built upon God's Person & Character (Hebrews 6:18) * is Backed by the Pronouncement of the Holy Name of God (Hebrews 6:13) * Brings Blessing and Curses (sorry, I couldn't think of a word with "p") (Amos 4:6-12) The whole point of the oath is that God is the first one who wants to form a lasting and eternal covenant with the people that he is pursuing out of love. He wants them to know him, and knowing him is a serious and sacred thing. God in his person is so precious that he is not to be trifled with, he will not tolerate limp-wristed commitments or half-hearted vows. Just read Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 and you will see what I mean. And this oath giving God can first be seen in his special relationship with Abraham and the Hebrew nation. His covenant began with a promise (Genesis 12:1-2), was built upon his person (Genesis 22:15), was backed by his name (Genesis 22:15), and resulted in blessings and curses (Genesis 12:3 & 22:17-18). When God promises, he fulfills. And this same commitment by God with people is still going on through the marital union: Malachi 2:14, Matthew 19:4-6, "What God has joined together, let no man tear asunder." This means the family is more than the natural building block of a healthy society, but it is seen by God as the trustees of his redemptive promises. Marriage and Family really is a sacred event...but like the "Pinky Promise" people no longer seem to view it like this. Here is how Dr. Hahn explained what he believes has become the devolution of marriage in America: * "Biblical Marriage & the Trustee Relationship": this covenant is a sacred and eternal trust involving land, blood and generational blessing. The initial vow (oath) forms a sacred bond between God and the family. Husbands are responsible and accountable for maintaining the trust, wives are help-meets in fulfilling the vows, children are heirs to the blessings of the trust. This relational covenant is serious business and because of this, it is imperative to "train up children" to carry on the sacred agreement because God and his promise applies to each generation that is to come. (Psalm 90:16 & 127:3). Sex outside the covenant is seen as a criminal violation against God (Psalm 51:4-5) and the sacredness of the trust that effects the whole family...restoration through repentance and restitution must occur to be brought back into favor with God. * "Moral Marriage & the Domestic Relationship": this is a contractual agreement between two people who want to form a long-term bond based on love. It has become what is known as the "traditional" view of marriage which includes duties, responsibilities and rights. God is often acknowledged as sanctioning this as the correct functioning model that "works" (pragmatism); but the idea of sacredness is no longer attached like it once was. It is a short-lived union ending at the death of a spouse or divorce. Husbands are often seen as authoritarian figures who are to maintain the convictions that were first agreed upon, wives are co-equal partners in duty and role, and children are welcomed additions that are to be raised as independent agents. Sex outside this contractual agreement is seen as an individual transgression that needs to be admitted and quickly forgiven by the spouse. Children and relatives are not to know. * "Adamistic (Basic) Marriage & Cocooning Relationship": this is a partnership of mutual agreement. Each individual sees this marital construct as a way of pursuing their rights to companionship and pleasure. Often these unions form out of convenience and compatibility signifying the final stage of a mature relationship. Husbands and wives (or husbands and husbands, or wives and wives) are both seen as inter-changeable adventurers looking for a new journey in finding joy in another person. Children are often seen as a liability to this pursuit of mutual harmony, and sex outside the agreement becomes a private affair - dirty laundry, a slip-up or mistake. Feeling determines the foundation of this relationship; and divorce is simply a change of direction - - not a breaking of a covenant. If this is what we have come to, why fight for the institution anymore? Who cares? It has become only a human construct, God is forgotten and uninvited. The truth is, God does care. And if you are married you probably need to reassess what your marriage really means. What did your vows include? Were they just words or a commitment in the sight of a Holy God invoking his name, inviting his presence? If it is the later, then be careful. God is taking your marriage very seriously. This is not just a modern day "Pinky Promise", it is a covenantal oath that includes your kid's kids. Just think of that?
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
August 2018
|