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THE CORNERSTONE
OF MARRIAGE
Therefore shall a man leave his
father and his mother,
and shall cleave unto his wife:
and they shall be one flesh.
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[By Ron Halbrook]
GENESIS 2:24
CORNERSTONE OF MARRIAGE
Introduction:
1. Study Principles Revealed in Gen. 2:24
Cornerstone: “the indispensable &
fundamental basis of something” (American
Heritage Dictionary, 1991)
True from Beginning Til Now—Needed Now!
Reflected throughout Bible
2. Study Principles as Used in Passages,
Learn How They Apply to Our Lives
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GENESIS 2:24
CORNERSTONE OF MARRIAGE
I. “In the Beginning”
A. Gen., Beginning of Man
Gen. 1:26-28 Man & Woman Created in
God’s Image
 Spiritual Image: Inner Man (Jn. 4:24)
 Innocent, Intelligent, Moral Capacity,
Will Power, Emotion
 Order of Existence Higher Than Animals
 Share Blessings, Duties, Dominion
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GENESIS 2:24
CORNERSTONE OF MARRIAGE
B. 2:18-25 Detailed Account: Woman’s Creation
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18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man
should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.
19 And out of the ground the LORD God formed every
beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought
them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and
whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was
the name thereof.
20 And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl
of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam
there was not found an help meet for him.
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21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall
upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs,
and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
22 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken
from man, made he a woman, and brought her
unto the man.
23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones,
and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman,
because she was taken out of Man.
24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his
mother, and shall cleave unto his wife:
and they shall be one flesh.
25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife,
and were not ashamed.
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GENESIS 2:24
CORNERSTONE OF MARRIAGE
B. 2:18-25 Detailed Account: Woman’s Creation
Vs. 18 Man Without Suitable Helper
Vv. 19-20 Adam Reviews & Names Animals
Vv. 21-23 Eve Made From Adam’s Rib
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Joyful, Thankful Excitement!
From His Side, Not Head or Heel
Near & Dear, Union & Unity
Value, Protect as Part of Himself
Companionship, Communication, Complement
Share Blessings, Duties, Dominion
Total, Comprehensive Love
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GENESIS 2:24
CORNERSTONE OF MARRIAGE
Therefore shall a man leave his father and his
mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they
shall be one flesh.
C. 2:24 The Cornerstone of Marriage
“Leave His Father & His Mother”
 Relationship to Parents First, Foundation
(Ex. 20:12; 21:15, 17)
 New Relationship Now First
 Independent Life Together
 Strength, Security, Stability of New Home
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GENESIS 2:24
CORNERSTONE OF MARRIAGE
C. 2:24 The Cornerstone of Marriage
“Cleave Unto His Wife”
 Hebrew Word: Cling, Keep Close, Stick to,
Adhere to, Glue—Loyalty, Devotion, Affection
 2 Sam. 23:10 “His hand clave unto the sword,”
“stuck” (NKJ), “froze” (NIV)
 Permanent Relationship to God (Deut. 30:20),
to a relative (Ruth 1:14), to a friend (Prov. 18:24)
 Take Responsibility for Her, Lead, Provide
 Create Peace, Security, Stability
 Closeness: Share Time, Communication,
Interests
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 Bond Permanent, Perpetual
GENESIS 2:24
CORNERSTONE OF MARRIAGE
C. 2:24 The Cornerstone of Marriage
“They Shall Be One Flesh”
 Two Lives Blend, Unite into One
 Loving, Sexual Union:
Expression of Closest Earthly Relationship,
Symbol of Total Union of Life
 Child Result, Reflection of “One Flesh:”
Union Occurs Before Child Born,
While Child at Home, After Child Leaves
 Context of Sexual Union:
Love, Companionship, Unselfish Giving
 Positive Blessing, Not Necessary Evil
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GENESIS 2:24
CORNERSTONE OF MARRIAGE
D. Lessons from Creation of Adam & Eve
1 Man for 1 Woman: Excludes Fornication!
 No Commune, Polygamy, Child Molesting, Incest,
Homosexuality, Bestiality
1 Man for 1 Woman: For Life!
 Lifelong, Not Temporary, No Experiment
 Total Commitment to Mate:
No Adultery, No Serial Marriage
1 Man for 1 Woman: Mutual Responsibility
1 Man for 1 Woman: For All Humanity
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GENESIS 2:24
CORNERSTONE OF MARRIAGE
II. Principles of Gen. 2:24 in Old Testament
A. Ex. 20:14, 17; Deut. 22:22 Reinforce
Gen. 2 by Condemning Adultery
B. Deut. 24:1-4 Limited, Temporary
Concession to Lead Man Back to Gen. 2
C. Jer. 3:1, 8, 14; 29:10 God’s Relationship
with Israel Reflects Gen. 2
D. Many Admonitions Reinforce Gen. 2
Prov. 5:15-21 Drink from Your Own Well
Mal. 2:14-16 God Hates Divorce
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GENESIS 2:24
CORNERSTONE OF MARRIAGE
III. Principles of Gen. 2:24 in New Testament
A. Matt. 5:31-32 End Mosaic Concession,
Reaffirm Gen. 2
31 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife,
let him give her a writing of divorcement:
32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away
his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her
to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that
is divorced committeth adultery.
B. Matt. 19:3-12 Gen. 2 Cornerstone of Jesus’
Teaching on Marriage
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Matt. 19
3 The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him,
and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away
his wife for every cause?
4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not
read, that he which made them at the beginning
made them male and female,
5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father
and mother, and shall cleave to his wife:
and they twain shall be one flesh?
6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh.
What therefore God hath joined together,
let not man put asunder.
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Matt. 19
7 They say unto him, Why did Moses then command
to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?
8 He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness
of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives:
but from the beginning it was not so.
9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away
his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry
another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth
her which is put away doth commit adultery.
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Matt. 19
10 His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man
be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.
11 But he said unto them, All men cannot receive
this saying, save they to whom it is given.
12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born
from their mother's womb: and there are some
eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and
there be eunuchs, which have made themselves
eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake.
He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.
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GENESIS 2:24
CORNERSTONE OF MARRIAGE
B. Matt. 19:3-12 Gen. 2 Cornerstone of Jesus’
Teaching on Marriage
Cornerstone from Beginning Til Now (vv. 4, 8)
1 Man for 1 Woman for Life—Still True!
“What…God Hath Joined Together”—
God Not Man Has Authority Over Marriage—
Man Can Obey or Violate God’s Law But Cannot
Overrule, Change, or Modify It!
Rule: If Put Away Mate, Marry Another Mate—
Not Joined by God—Go to Bed of Adultery!
1 Exception: Faithful Mate Put Away Fornicator,
Marry Another—Joined by God—No Adultery
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Sound Too Strict? Then, Do Not Marry!
GENESIS 2:24
CORNERSTONE OF MARRIAGE
A. Rom. 7:1-4 Illustration Based on the
Principle of Gen. 2
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ROM. 7
1 Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know
the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as
long as he liveth?
2 For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the
law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the
husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her
husband.
3 So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to
another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her
husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is
no adulteress, though she be married to another man.
4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to
the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married
to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that
we should bring forth fruit unto God.
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GENESIS 2:24
CORNERSTONE OF MARRIAGE
C. Rom. 7:1-4 Illustration Based on the
Principle of Gen. 2
Vs. 1 God’s Law Applies While Men Live
Vs. 2 Marriage Law Applies While Husband
& Wife Live
Vs. 3 Husband Lives & Wife Marries Another—
Adultery
Vs. 3 Husband Dies, Wife No Longer Bound—
May Marry Another
Jews Bound to Law of Moses—It Died—
May Marry Christ
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GENESIS 2:24
CORNERSTONE OF MARRIAGE
D. 1 Cor. 7 Answers to Questions Reflect
Principle of Gen. 2
Vs. 26 Advise Against Marriage While Crisis
Facing Church
Vs. 1-5 Marriage Relationship Helps Prevent
Temptation of Fornication
Vv. 10-13 Fidelity to Marriage Vow
Vs. 39 Marriage Vow Binding for Life
Only Our Duty to the Lord Is Higher
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GENESIS 2:24
CORNERSTONE OF MARRIAGE
E. Eph. 5:22-33 Principles of Gen. 2 in Conduct of
Husband & Wife
Vv. 23-25 Man Leads & Wife Cooperates by
Unselfish Love
Vv. 28-31 One Flesh Union:
Unselfish Love of Mate Blesses Both Partners,
Failure to Love Harms Both
Vv. 32-33 God’s Plan for Harmony, Unity, Peace:
 Christ Loves Church—Church Submits to Christ
 Husband Loves Wife—Wife Submits to Husband
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GENESIS 2:24
CORNERSTONE OF MARRIAGE
IV. Principles of Gen. 2:24 Greatly Needed Today
A. Gen. 2:24 Teaches 1 Man for 1 Woman for Life
Matt. 19:4-6 Marriage Ordained by God from the
Beginning
Lifetime Covenant Witnessed & Sealed by God
God by His Own Law Determines Who is
Scripturally Married, Divorced, or Remarried
 Human Custom, Law, & Concepts Secondary
 False Ideas: Renewable Contract, No Fault Divorce
God’s Law Applies to All Humanity
Bible Emphasizes Lifetime Rule (1 Exception)
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GENESIS 2:24
CORNERSTONE OF MARRIAGE
B. Marriage Vows Reflect Gen. 2:24
I, Ron Halbrook, desire this one, Donna Bell, to
become my lawful wedded companion, and I promise
to love, honor, and cherish her in sickness as in
health, in adversity as in prosperity, and forsaking all
others be to her such a husband as God directs that I
should until death does us part.
I, Donna Bell, desire this one, Ron Halbrook, to be my
lawful wedded husband, and I promise to cling to him,
honor him, continue faithfully to love and be true to
him, according to all the laws of God, and forsaking all
others be such a wife as God desires and commands
that I should so long as we both shall live.
Lifetime Covenant Witnessed & Sealed by God
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GENESIS 2:24
CORNERSTONE OF MARRIAGE
C. Responsibilities Commanded by God
in Marriage
Cornerstone Duties in Gen. 2:24
Therefore shall a man leave his father and his
mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they
shall be one flesh.
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GENESIS 2:24
CORNERSTONE OF MARRIAGE
C. Responsibilities Commanded by God
in Marriage
Duties of Husband & Wife in Eph. 5:22-25
22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands,
as unto the Lord.
23 For the husband is the head of the wife,
even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is
the saviour of the body.
24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ,
so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also
loved the church, and gave himself for it;
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GENESIS 2:24
CORNERSTONE OF MARRIAGE
C. Responsibilities Commanded by God
in Marriage
Duties as Mother of Children in 1 Tim. 2:14-15
14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman
being deceived was in the transgression.
15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing,
if they continue in faith and charity and holiness
with sobriety.
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GENESIS 2:24
CORNERSTONE OF MARRIAGE
C. Responsibilities Commanded by God
in Marriage
Duties as Mother of Children in 1 Tim. 2:14-15
14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman
being deceived was in the transgression.
15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing,
if they continue in faith and charity and holiness
with sobriety.
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Duties of Daily Work in 1 Tim. 5:8-14
8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those
of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse
than an infidel. 9 Let not a widow be taken into the number
under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,
10 Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up
children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed
the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have
diligently followed every good work. 11 But the younger
widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton
against Christ, they will marry; 12 Having damnation,
because they have cast off their first faith. 13 And withal
they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house;
and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies,
speaking things which they ought not. 14 I will therefore that
the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house,
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give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
GENESIS 2:24
CORNERSTONE OF MARRIAGE
C. Responsibilities Commanded by God
in Marriage
Duties as Wife, Mother, & Mentor in Tit. 2:3-5
3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour
as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given
to much wine, teachers of good things;
4 That they may teach the young women to be sober,
to love their husbands, to love their children,
5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good,
obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God
be not blasphemed.
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GENESIS 2:24
CORNERSTONE OF MARRIAGE
C. Responsibilities Commanded by God
in Marriage
1 Cor. 9:27 Learn Submission to God, Accept
Responsibility
27 But I keep under my body, and bring
it into subjection: lest that by any means,
when I have preached to others, I myself
should be a castaway.
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GENESIS 2:24
CORNERSTONE OF MARRIAGE
C. Responsibilities Commanded by God in Marriage
Some Leave Not Learn Responsibility
I am not cut out for family
life.
I want a change in my
lifestyle.
I do not love her & cannot
live with her.
God wants me to find my
potential & self-satisfaction.
I am going out into the
world to find myself.
Marriage is not an
experiment!
By breaking the vow to my
mate made before God?!
God commands you to
learn to love your mate!
That is why God prepared
marriage for you!
By throwing away God’s
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law & love?!
GENESIS 2:24
CORNERSTONE OF MARRIAGE
C. Responsibilities Commanded by God
in Marriage
Sense of Responsibility to God & Man
Lessened by Wrong Emphasis
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Subjectivism (Self as Standard)
Fleshly Excitement, Experience, Stimulation
Emotion, Feelings
Infatuation
Fantasy
Immediate Gratification of Carnal Appetites
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GENESIS 2:24
CORNERSTONE OF MARRIAGE
Conclusion:
1. Inscribe Gen. 2:24 on Our Hearts
Principles Given by God to Make Marriage the
Greatest of Blessings on Earth
Principles Embraced in Marriage Vows
Principles Shape Our Character
2. Violation of These Principles in Thought, Word, or
Deed Sinful
Separates Us from God
Harms Our Mate, Weakens Relationship, Hurt Self
3. God Ready to Forgive & Change Us: Acts 2:3834