EP
69
Helpmeet Nugget
The Purpose of Marriage
John & Matilda Joachim
·
March, 2026
It is often said that when the purpose of a thing is not known, abuse is inevitable—and this principle applies to marriage as well.
In many marriages, husbands and wives hold differing views about the true purpose of their union. For example, one spouse may see sexual intimacy and procreation as the primary purpose of marriage, while the other may believe its goal is financial security. Unfortunately, meaningful conversations around this foundational issue are often absent.
The truth is that, a marriage without a shared purpose quickly becomes a battlefield of unmet expectations. To complicate matters further, cultures and traditions define the purpose of marriage in different ways. The reality is simple but sobering: what covenant does not clearly define, culture and tradition will inevitably abuse.
One major reason many couples struggle to define purpose in their marriage is their failure to establish the true source of marriage. We must always remember that God is the originator of marriage. Therefore, His Word serves as the authentic blueprint for marital success.
As Proverbs 29:18 [MSG] reminds us:
If people can't see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; but when they attend to what He reveals, they are most blessed.
Purpose gives direction; its absence invites destruction. Purpose defines limits, while ignorance removes restraint. Anything that loses its value inevitably loses its boundaries as well.
In conclusion, a husband and wife should care deeply enough about the success of their marriage to intentionally seek and understand what God says about marriage in His Word. Valuable lessons can certainly be learnt from the experiences of others, but when all is said and done, only one factor truly distinguishes one marriage from another: the degree to which it is patterned after the purpose of its Originator.
This is crucial because, ultimately, a river that forgets its source will surely dry up.
In many marriages, husbands and wives hold differing views about the true purpose of their union. For example, one spouse may see sexual intimacy and procreation as the primary purpose of marriage, while the other may believe its goal is financial security. Unfortunately, meaningful conversations around this foundational issue are often absent.
The truth is that, a marriage without a shared purpose quickly becomes a battlefield of unmet expectations. To complicate matters further, cultures and traditions define the purpose of marriage in different ways. The reality is simple but sobering: what covenant does not clearly define, culture and tradition will inevitably abuse.
One major reason many couples struggle to define purpose in their marriage is their failure to establish the true source of marriage. We must always remember that God is the originator of marriage. Therefore, His Word serves as the authentic blueprint for marital success.
As Proverbs 29:18 [MSG] reminds us:
If people can't see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; but when they attend to what He reveals, they are most blessed.
Purpose gives direction; its absence invites destruction. Purpose defines limits, while ignorance removes restraint. Anything that loses its value inevitably loses its boundaries as well.
In conclusion, a husband and wife should care deeply enough about the success of their marriage to intentionally seek and understand what God says about marriage in His Word. Valuable lessons can certainly be learnt from the experiences of others, but when all is said and done, only one factor truly distinguishes one marriage from another: the degree to which it is patterned after the purpose of its Originator.
This is crucial because, ultimately, a river that forgets its source will surely dry up.