“The Lord God made clothing from skins for the man and his wife, and he clothed them.” (Genesis 3:21, CSB)
The Lord God made clothing … and he clothed them. We live in corrupt times. So many people have accepted the cultural norms around us and have jettisoned God’s standards – His desires and declarations. One of those areas that can erode the magnificence of our marriage is in the area of physical exposure.
To be sure, the Bible tells us that before Adam’s disobedience to God’s direct command not to eat from the Tree of Good and Evil, the couple was naked and not ashamed. However, with their rejection of God’s directive, everything changed. And, as it changed, God made the necessary adjustments to Adam and Eve’s lifestyle choices.
You will remember that after their choice to eat the forbidden fruit, we are told, “Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.” (Genesis 3:7, CSB)
Now we read that God changed their clothing selection and went for a more covering style. It takes little imagination to “see” the difference between the fig leaf bikini and trunks that Adam and Eve created and the more modest leather clothing God made.
What was He doing? In essence, God was saying, “Cover what is special, what belongs just for the two of you.” Holding the gift of our bodies in high esteem for our mate is the essence of honor and holiness. God has given us each other. We are promising our lives to only one person, that one whom we believe God has chosen for us for the rest of our lives.
Our physical bodies are the ultimate and complete offering to our spouses. Sacred is an appropriate term for such a gift. Not to be shared, not to be viewed by another is God’s implicit statement here in His simple act of tailoring.
As you embrace all the abundance God has given you with your life-partner today, remember: You are the gift God has given them. They are the gift God has given you. Share yourself with them alone.
Magnificent Marriage Mondays are helpful hints, clues, ideas, and solutions for the child of God who is looking for a spouse, in a relationship with someone, or are already married. Each post seeks to bring help, hope, and honesty to your life and make the rest of your life, the best of your life. They are written by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith, Executive Director of Eagles In Leadership, and come from his 38 years, 5 months and 2 days experience with his wife, Melodee, who was promoted to Heaven on November 11, 2017. He is currently seeking God’s will for his new life partner. He welcomes your comments below.
