“Did he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union? And what was the one God seeking? Godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and let none of you be faithless to the wife of your youth” (Malachi 2:15 ESV).
Malachi, writing as the LORD’s messenger to the post-exilic community of Israel, confronted men who had been acting treacherously toward their wives. He reminded them that marriage was not a human invention but a divine plan of God. God Himself had made husband and wife “one,” echoing the creation design of Genesis where the two became one flesh. This oneness was covenantal, spiritual, and purposeful. Malachi declared that God deliberately created marriage as a faithful union because He sought “godly offspring.” The prophet warned that unfaithfulness in marriage flowed from a corrupted inner spirit. Therefore, the people were commanded to guard their spirit and remain loyal to the wife of their youth, honoring God’s sacred design.
We are reminded that marriage is sacred. When we tamper with marriage, redefine it, or treat it casually, we do so at our own risk. Individuals and societies may experiment with marriage, but God remains passionate about His purpose for it. As we reflect on today’s One Year Bible readings—Malachi’s rebuke of faithless husbands, Revelation’s picture of the faithful Bride, and Proverbs’ portrait of a virtuous wife—we see a unified testimony: marriage is God’s idea and central to His blessing. Even more, it reflects the mystery of God’s plan for the oneness of Christ and His Church.
Therefore, let us guard our spirits, nurturing inner faithfulness that honors God and protects our marriages. If we desire godly generations and a faithful witness to the world, let us embrace God’s design and depend on God’s Spirit to strengthen our marriages.
Whose idea was marriage? Marriage was God’s idea.
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for Your wise and loving design for marriage. Help us to guard our spirits and remain faithful in heart and action. Shape our marriages to reflect Your oneness and to raise godly generations for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.