480. It is clear from Genesis 1:26-27 as well, that 'they were called Man on the day in which they were created', that is to say, at the end of the sixth day, which answers to the evening of the Sabbath, or start of the Sabbath or seventh day. For as shown already, the seventh day or Sabbath is the celestial man.
What the Bible says about... Marriage and Spirituality
За New Christian Bible Study Staff, John Odhner
People who are truly in love know that marriage is one of the greatest blessings the Lord has given people. But, these days, there's a lot of confusion and doubt about marriage.
Let's take a look at what the Bible says about it, beginning at the very beginning. The very fact that the Lord has created us male and female (Genesis 1:27) seems to indicate that marriage is the intended condition for people.
In the Adam and Eve story, the Lord says, "It is not good that the man should be alone." (Genesis 2:18). Therefore, He creates Eve. It's a very ancient story that depicts marriage as part of His plan for people.
God's blessing on the first marriage makes this even more clear: "And God blessed them and said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply.'" (Genesis 1:28)
Not only does marriage have the Lord's blessing - it is also phrased as a commandment in this passage from the prophet Jeremiah: "Thus says the Lord of Hosts, the God of Israel.... Take wives and beget sons and daughters, and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters--that you may be increased there, and not diminished.'" (Jeremiah 29:6)
King Solomon said, "He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord." (Proverbs 18:22)
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus has a telling response to the Pharisees who are quizzing him about divorce:
Jesus answered, "Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female', and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate'." (Matthew 19:4-6)
In the text of the Bible, there are also frequent references to a marriage between the Lord and His Church, where the church is made up of the people who love the Lord and follow his commandments. This is a different sort of marriage than the one between husband and wife, but some of the same ideals of love and reciprocity and conjunction are presented.
"As the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you." (Isaiah 62:5)
"Your Maker is your husband: The Lord of Hosts is His name." (Isaiah 54:5)
"'Turn, O backsliding children,' says the Lord, 'for I am married to you.'" (Jeremiah 3:14)
"Let us be glad and rejoice, and give glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready." (Revelation 19:7).
See also Jeremiah 31:32; Isaiah 49:18, 61:10; Jeremiah 2:32; Hosea 2:2, 2:19; Ezekiel 16; Matthew 22:2-9; 25:1-10; Luke 5:34; Revelation 21:2, 9; 22:17, etc.
From all this, it's pretty clear that there's strong support in the Bible for marriage.
That said, there are also some passages that have led people in other directions. In some of Paul's letters, there are some things which can be taken to mean that marriage is less chaste than celibacy. And, in answering a question from the Saduccees, Jesus says that in heaven, they neither marry nor are given in marriage. What did he mean by that? It has a deeper meaning than appears on the surface, but it's often been misinterpreted. We will dig into these issues in separate topics, or in an extension to this one... but, overall, the Bible's pretty clear that marriage is part of the Lord's design for us, and that our physical, earthly marriages represent a spiritual marriage, too.
Genesis 5
1
This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, he made him in God's likeness.
2
He created them male and female, and blessed them, and called their name "Adam," in the day when they were created.
3
Adam lived one hundred thirty years, and became the father of a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth.
4
The days of Adam after he became the father of Seth were eight hundred years, and he became the father of sons and daughters.
5
All the days that Adam lived were nine hundred thirty years, then he died.
6
Seth lived one hundred five years, and became the father of Enosh.
7
Seth lived after he became the father of Enosh eight hundred seven years, and became the father of sons and daughters.
8
All the days of Seth were nine hundred twelve years, then he died.
9
Enosh lived ninety years, and became the father of Kenan.
10
Enosh lived after he became the father of Kenan, eight hundred fifteen years, and became the father of sons and daughters.
11
All the days of Enosh were nine hundred five years, then he died.
12
Kenan lived seventy years, and became the father of Mahalalel.
13
Kenan lived after he became the father of Mahalalel eight hundred forty years, and became the father of sons and daughters
14
and all the days of Kenan were nine hundred ten years, then he died.
15
Mahalalel lived sixty-five years, and became the father of Jared.
16
Mahalalel lived after he became the father of Jared eight hundred thirty years, and became the father of sons and daughters.
17
All the days of Mahalalel were eight hundred ninety-five years, then he died.
18
Jared lived one hundred sixty-two years, and became the father of Enoch.
19
Jared lived after he became the father of Enoch eight hundred years, and became the father of sons and daughters.
20
All the days of Jared were nine hundred sixty-two years, then he died.
21
Enoch lived sixty-five years, and became the father of Methuselah.
22
Enoch walked with God after he became the father of Methuselah three hundred years, and became the father of sons and daughters.
23
All the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty-five years.
24
Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.
25
Methuselah lived one hundred eighty-seven years, and became the father of Lamech.
26
Methuselah lived after he became the father of Lamech seven hundred eighty-two years, and became the father of sons and daughters.
27
All the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty-nine years, then he died.
28
Lamech lived one hundred eighty-two years, and became the father of a son,
29
and he named him Noah, saying, "This same will comfort us in our work and in the toil of our hands, because of the ground which Yahweh has cursed."
30
Lamech lived after he became the father of Noah five hundred ninety-five years, and became the father of sons and daughters.
31
All the days of Lamech were seven hundred seventy-seven years, then he died.
32
Noah was five hundred years old, and Noah became the father of Shem, Ham, and Japheth.
