Adam and Eve knew a joyful ecstasy when God gave them to each other. "Therefore a man leaves his father and mother and cleaves to his wife, and they become one flesh" (Genesis 2:24). Here we find one of the Bible's most powerful teachings given to husbands and wives. What does the Scripture say? Here we discover what makes for a successful and satisfying marriage.

Adam and Eve learned that the husband/wife relationship must be a couple's first and foremost priority. It must be without parental prying! It must be without interference from in-laws! God's plan and purpose for marriage is that husbands and wives leave their parents in order to cleave to one another. In the original text the words for "leave" and "cleave" are very strong ones. The word for "leave" literally means "to abandon, to forsake"; and the word for "cleave" literally means "to adhere firmly, to be strongly attached." If a husband and wife want to have a good and growing marriage, they will put a boundary around themselves and they will not allow anyone or anything to separate or divide them against themselves.

Naturally husbands and wives should love their parents and in-laws. Naturally husbands and wives should love and nurture their children. But God's purpose and plan for husbands and wives is that their marriage be first and foremost. For only when their marriage relationship is boundaried from outside influence and interference can a husband and wife truly grow and mature in marriage together. Only when a couple "leaves and cleaves" will they be able to develop a healthy and adult relationship to their parents and in-laws.

Then, beyond leaving and cleaving, we read that a husband and wife are to be "weaving." They are to become one flesh. This involves the intimate joy of knowing and being known, of loving and being loved. The sexual union of husband and wife is God's gracious gift for consummating the marriage bond -- intended for procreation and intended for pleasure. Indeed Solomon's poetry affirms the beauty of sexual expression within the one-flesh marriage relationship involving spiritual, emotional and physical dimensions.

Leaving, cleaving and "weaving" -- these are the steps a husband and wife must take if they are to have a successful and satisfying marriage. Certainly the first couple followed this threefold guidance from the Lord.

Adam and Eve recognized that God had created them for each other -- for companionship, partnership and friendship. Adam and Eve realized that God had made them different from each other -- with unique gifts, talents and abilities. And Adam and Eve rejoiced when God had given them to each other -- to share a lifetime of love together.

Today let us give thanks unto the Lord for His goodness to us. How great is God's love that He would care intimately about our marriages and families. How great His desire that our hearts and homes have a place for His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. How great His provision in sending His Son to be our Helper and Counselor -- and above all to be our Savior. Only the Lord Jesus Christ can make your marriage and family all that God originally intended it to be.

Are there broken relationships? Christ can help you bring resolution. Is there potential for growth? It is Christ who will help you bring renewal. Open your heart and home to His peace and presence. Let Him take His rightful place within your life and family!

1. Swindoll, Charles. Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life. (Portland, OR: Multnomah Press, 1983), pp. 66-67.

2. Jewett, Paul. Man as Male and female. (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1975), p. 120.

3. Lauer, Jeanette and Lauer, Robert. "Marriages Made to Last," Psychology Today, 19(6), p. 24.

4. Freedman, R. David. "Woman: A Power Equal to Man." Biblical Archeology Review, 9(1), p. 57.

5. Jewett, pp. 124-125.

6. Achtemeier, Elizabeth. The Committed Marriage. (Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1976), p. 70.

7. Beavers, W. Robert. Successful Marriage. (New York: Norton & Co., 1985), p. 175.

8. Boice, James. Genesis. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1982), p. 109.