To Have and To Hold

In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth, He looked upon His work and saw that it was good. Yet among all His magnificent creations, He noticed something was not complete: "It is not good for man to be alone" (Genesis 2:18). In this profound observation, God established the divine foundation for marriage—a sacred union between a man and a woman that would become one of humanity's most precious gifts.

Marriage stands as a testament to God's infinite wisdom and love for His children. When He created Eve from Adam's rib, He didn't fashion her from his foot to be beneath him, nor from his head to be above him, but from his side to be equal with him, under his arm to be protected, and near his heart to be loved. This beautiful symbolism echoes through the ages, reminding us of marriage's divine architecture.

Scripture speaks of marriage with such tenderness and reverence that it becomes clear this institution holds special significance in God's plan. "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh" (Genesis 2:24). This unity represents more than mere physical joining—it symbolizes a complete fusion of hearts, minds, and purposes, serving the Lord as one.

The Apostle Paul elevates this understanding further in his letter to the Ephesians, comparing the marriage relationship to Christ's love for His church: "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her" (Ephesians 5:25). This sacrificial love sets the standard for marriage—a love that gives without expecting anything in return, that perseveres through trials, and that grows stronger with each passing day.

In the Song of Solomon, we find perhaps the most poetic celebration of marital love in scripture: "My beloved is mine and I am his" (Song of Solomon 2:16). These words capture the beautiful exclusivity of marriage, the joy of belonging to one another in a covenant relationship blessed by God Himself. The book portrays marriage as not just a duty or arrangement, but as a delightful garden where love blooms in all its splendor.

Marriage provides a safe harbor in life's storms, as declared in Ecclesiastes 4:9-10: "Two are better than one... if either of them falls down, one can help the other up." In marriage, we find a partner who strengthens us when we are weak, encourages us when we falter and celebrates with us in moments of joy. This partnership reflects God's wisdom in creating humans for companionship and mutual support.

The marvel of marriage lies not just in its beginning but in its journey. Proverbs 18:22 states, "He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord." This favor manifests in countless ways—in the quiet moments of understanding between spouses, in the shared laughter that brightens difficult days, in the tender care during illness, and in the joint purpose of building a life together.

Perhaps most beautifully, marriage serves as a living testimony of God's faithfulness. Just as He remains steadfast in His love for His people, marriage calls us to demonstrate this same unchanging commitment. "Love is patient, love is kind... It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres" (1 Corinthians 13:4,7). These words, often recited at weddings, outline the divine quality of love that should characterize every marriage.

In a world that often views commitment with skepticism, marriage stands as a beacon of hope and possibility. It reminds us that lasting love is not just a fairy tale but a reality made possible through God's grace and wisdom. When two people join together in marriage, they participate in a tradition as old as humanity itself, yet as fresh and relevant as each new dawn.

As we consider the privilege of marriage, let us remember that it is more than a social contract—it is a sacred covenant, blessed by God and designed to bring out the best in human nature. In the words of Mark 10:9, "Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate." This divine seal on marriage gives it its strength, its purpose, and its enduring beauty.

To Have and To Hold, in the context of God's design, is not just a phrase from traditional wedding vows—it is a holy calling, an adventure of love, and a journey of faith. It is, in its purest form, a reflection of God's own heart for His people: faithful, enduring, and eternally committed.

©2025 James Dacey Jr.