Sep. 13, 2026

What did God actually design marriage to be, before culture, sin, or convenience got involved?

Continuing the Genesis series, Pastor Dave turned to Genesis 2:18–25 this week, the account of the very first marriage, and a passage he approached with unusual care. Before he even opened the text, he acknowledged how sensitive this topic can be, for those who long to be married and aren't, those who feel like they've failed at marriage, those grieving a spouse, and those who feel stuck in situations they don't know how to change. "God's grace is sufficient," he said, "and God will help you in every one of those areas."

What Marriage Is: Pastor Dave defined biblical marriage as a covenant relationship between a man and a woman, made and celebrated in community, pronounced before witnesses, and held accountable by that community. He read the full account, from "It is not good that man should be alone" through "They were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed," pausing after Eve's creation for a little commentary of his own: "And Adam said, 'Whoa, man!'"

Not Inferior, Just Different: He addressed a passage some people twist to argue women are inferior, since Eve is called Adam's "helper." Pastor Dave pointed out that the same Hebrew word, ezer, describes God Himself as our helper elsewhere in Scripture. "Is God inferior to man? Of course not," he said. "It's not that they're inferior. God created us equal, with equal respect, equal honor, but also different roles and responsibilities."

Three Gifts Within Marriage: Pastor Dave walked through what marriage was designed to provide. First, companionship: "It was not good that Adam was alone," and even for those still waiting to marry, he pointed to Hebrews 13:5, where Christ Himself promises, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." Second, sexual fulfillment, which he called "God's gift to us" and "meant to be pleasurable," reading 1 Corinthians 7:1–5 on the mutual responsibility spouses have toward one another. Third, procreation, "within healthy adults, creation order is that you should have children," while acknowledging with compassion that this isn't always possible.

Leave, Cleave, and Become One: From Genesis 2:24, Pastor Dave unpacked the biblical priority: God first, spouse second, children next, then everything else. He lingered on the word "cleave," a favorite from the King James: "The idea is that you take hold of and you keep taking hold of, that you pursue hard and you abide with one another." He also reflected on the deeper meaning of Adam and Eve being "naked and not ashamed," a spiritual and emotional unity, not just a physical one.

A Word About Living Together: Pastor Dave closed by directly answering a question he'd been asked more than once: what about couples living together outside of marriage? He was clear that sexual activity outside marriage is always sinful in Scripture, and that even a commitment to abstain while cohabiting is still unwise, citing 1 Thessalonians 5:22's call to "abstain from every form of evil." He invited anyone in that situation to come talk with him or Pastor Lance about making things right. "Let us celebrate with you," he said.