A MARRIAGE MADE IN PARADISE
Genesis 2:18-25

Introduction:     In the twentieth century the divorce rate rose over 700%. In 1960 there were 393,000 divorces. Now, there are over 1.2 million a year, and the rate is rising! Today, there is a divorce for every 1.8 marriages. Over one million children will be involved with a divorce this year in America . Sociologists say we can expect to see a decline in the divorce rate in the near future. Why? Are people learning to get alone better or talk more etc? No! They are simply not getting married. They shack up together! In this passage, God reveals His intentions concerning marriage and His goals for the married couple. The principles taught here will go a long way in helping to divorce proof our marriages. Just what is it that makes a marriage made in paradise?

I.          THE LORD’S INTENTION (V.18)

            A.        The Lord’s Concern
All of God’s creation was good. He declared it so, until He said that it was not good that man be alone. Man had no counterpart. The word “alone” carries the idea of “being cut off, of being a piece which is isolated from the whole.”

            B.         The Lord’s Conclusion
God decision was to produce a “help” for Adam. This word means, “One who assists another to reach fulfillment.” It speaks of the idea of a “completer” The word, “meet” refers to one who “is suitable to, or corresponds to.” In other words, God is going to give Adam someone who will fill up that which is lacking in his own life. One who makes him complete.

II.         THE LORD’S INTERVENTION (VV.19-22)

            A.        A Desire Shaped By God (vv.19-20)
In parading the animals before Adam, God’s intention was far greater that just an intellectual exercise. He isn’t trying to give Adam’s brain exercise. He is awakening a desire in him for companionship. As Adam saw all the animals and noticed that all had mates, he became aware that he was alone.  

            B.         A Desire Satisfied By God (vv.21-22)
The Lord never awakens a desire that He doesn’t prepare a way to fulfill it in His own way and in His own time. Our problem is that we set out to satisfy these desires in our own way and in our own time. When we do, we short-circuit God’s plan and are thin ice. When God awakened this desire in Adam, God set out to meet his need. In doing so there were three steps.
                        1.         Involved Sleep - (God’s sovereign choice)
                        2.         Involved Surgery - (Pain - some things are worth fighting for)
                        3.         Involved Symbolism - (a picture of the marriage relationship)

III.       THE LORD’S INVENTION (VV.23-25)
The institution of marriage. 3 aspects in this first marriage ceremony that help our relationships today:

            A.        Marriage Involves A Response (v.23)
“Now this one’s like me” Here is one who I can’t live without. Here was one who was compatible with him, one with whom he could carry out the Lord’s directive. Marriage is no to be entered into lightly. If His Word is ignored, there can be nothing but trouble in the marriage relationship. It involves a response and that response is to say yes only to that person that God has picked and prepared just for you!

            B.         Marriage Involves A Responsibility (v.24)
Man is the “leave” and “cleave” This is a two-fold process:
To leave is to place all other relationships (except God) on a lower priority. Leaving means activities outside the home take a backseat. To cleave means to “adhere to, to stick to, to be bound together by some strong bound.”  Cleaving is not temporary. It is a lasting, lifelong pursuit. Cleaving is not a passive endeavor. It doesn’t just happen; it comes as the result of effort! Any marriage is worth whatever effort it takes to save it! The N. T. word for cleave means “to stick like glue, to be welded together so that the two cannot be separated without serious harm to both.”  If we really believe that two become one flesh when they are married, then we would believe that anything that tore that apart was a serious matter.  

            C.        Marriage Involves Righteousness (v.25)
They were naked and not ashamed.

Conclusion:       God has a plan for everyone here. Part of that plan includes salvation that is consistent for everyone. Beyond that, God has an individual plan for your life. His invitation is that you come to Him and find out what that plan is!