How does God take two unique and gifted people and set their course together in this miraculous bond called marriage?
One of the earliest descriptions we have of a man and woman coming together in a marriage union is found back at the headwaters of humanity when the first two beings, Adam and Eve, are joined together. And in so doing, a profound way of looking at marriage emerges from the ancient pages of the Hebrew Bible. The Hebrew language used to describe this first union finds its root in the Hebrew word for “fire”. Adam boldly announces in Genesis 2:23 that his name in the relationship will be “Eish” – which literally means – one who works in the midst of fire. Likewise he names his bride “Eisha” meaning – one who comes out of the fire. At first this seems like an odd choice of words to describe the relationship between a man and a woman.
What does fire have to do with anything? But a closer look reveals a telling truth. Even today, this language isn’t so foreign. We often describe “white hot” passions. We speak of lost loves as “old flames”. We speak of burning desire. All of these are distant hints from what transpired in a garden long ago. Adam prophetically determined that the marriage union would be defined in terms of fire. And God said, “It is good!”
We see that in the mind of God fire accurately describes the union that He intends. Perhaps it is similar to this: If you want to meld two unique and distinct and strong metals together you will need something very special. You need fire. If the fire burns hot enough, it will melt and meld the metals together in such a fashion that blending occurs so that you can no longer tell one from the other and what results has it own special, unique properties and characteristics. So it is in the promise of our unions today.
The furnace has been stoked since the day you entered into the fires of marriage.
Oh, but don’t let this alarm you.
Let it excite you!
When allowed to burn for its intended purpose, the fires of marriage will always meld you together, never apart. Let this fire define your intimacy and your passion for one another. All of your great times together serve as a fire from God to meld you as one. Also, when the tough times come and you feel like it would be easier if you were alone, I encourage you to embrace this fire, for this too will be used by God toward your melding in unity and intimacy. In fact, that is the beauty of God’s promise; the two of you are becoming unified!
What you will find is that when you look closely this “fire” is the very presence of God, Himself. Throughout scripture, when God shows up, there is fire. Whether it is a smoking oven in the vision of Abraham, a pillar of fire leading wilderness wanderers, a mountaintop scorched by the presence of YHWH, or tongues of fire atop bewildered disciples, fire is God’s primary expression on earth.
So, when the fires of marriage get stoked, do not be alarmed or confused. And by all means discipline yourselves to look through the flames and into the eyes of the one who has promised. The fire of marriage is the very presence of God illuminating the promise of God to mold the two of you into one new creation! And today be blessed as you learn to walk in the fullness of that promise.
