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A Bride for the Son, Starting in Eden · Accidental Bible Scholar

• Jeff Ward: Hello, I'm Jeff Ward here with Randy Spear. Welcome back to the Accidental Bible Scholar Podcast. We are glad you're here. Thanks for joining us. And we are going to continue our study of Genesis. We've talked a little bit about creation and the creation of man. Now we're going talk about Adam and Eve and marriage and God's creation there. Is that true? That's true. Okay. we pray this podcast is beneficial to you in that you grow closer to Jesus Christ and falling in love Randy Spear: Jeff Ward here with Randy Spear. Welcome back to the Accidental Bible Scholar Podcast. We are glad you're here. Thanks for joining us. And we are going to continue our study of Genesis. We've talked a little bit about creation and the creation of man. Now we're going to talk about Adam and Eve and marriage and God's creation there. Is that true? That's true. Okay. We pray this podcast is beneficial to you and that you grow closer to Jesus Christ and falling in love. Jeff Ward: with the Word. If you have any or the word. If you have any questions or criticism or thoughts and you want to email us, contact us at contact at accidental bible scholar dot com. Our podcast you can find it on all the major platforms. to include our website has a link to it as well. That's w dot accidental bible scholar dot com. Every Thursday at four AM Central Time, a new episode comes out. So look for those on Thursdays when you wake up and Randy Spear: If you have any or the word, if you have any questions or criticism or thoughts and you want to email us, contact us at contact at accidental bible scholar.com. Our podcast you can find on all of the major platforms to include our website has a link to it as well. That's www.accidentalbiblescholar.com. Every Thursday at four AM Central Time, a new episode comes out. So look for those on Thursdays when you wake up. And Jeff Ward: think that's about it. Let's dive in, Randy, if you're ready. I'm ready. Okay. Yeah, title this is a creation of Eve and marriage. So we'll take a look at that. Marriage as everything in Genesis is kind of foundation of the rest of Randy Spear: I think that's about it. Let's dive in. Okay. You're ready. I'm ready. Okay. Yeah, I titled this a creation of Eve and Marriage. So we'll take a look at that. Marriage, as everything in Genesis is kind of the foundation of the rest of the books or the Bible and existence as as we are creatures on this earth. I put here it's the foundation of society, it's a foundation of our culture, and it's truly a foundation that when it starts to crumble Jeff Ward: existence as as we are creatures on this earth. I put here it's the foundation of society. It's a foundation of our culture. And it's truly a foundation that when it starts to crumble, society and culture. Randy Spear: society and culture starts to crumble when we s when we stop living according to God's word and to living according to God's design. So today we're looking at more of of God's design in marriage. we did on I looked up the June twenty fifth of this year release and the July twenty s July 2nd. So it's June 25th, July 2nd of 2026. We talked about marriage and and we called it Let's Dance. Jeff Ward: So today we're looking at more of of God's design in marriage. we did on I looked up the June twenty-fifth of this year release and the July twenty s and July second. So June twenty fifth, July second of twenty twenty six. We talked about marriage and and we called it Let's Dance. Yeah. And that's more of a nuts and bolts a little bit of of maybe a little more practical of how to Randy Spear: And that's more of a nuts and bolts a little bit of of maybe a little more practical of how to operate as a husband and a wife in a marriage. This is not quite that. There might be some of that, but it is every bit is important because it establishes the foundation of what marriage is is about and God's attitude toward marriage. And from there Jeff Ward: Operate as a husband and a wife, yeah. Yep. This is not quite that. There might be some of that, but it is every bit as important because it establishes the foundation of what marriage is is about and God's attitude toward marriage. And from Randy Spear: we can make you know, practical applications from there. So anyway, I just throw that out as this is Jeff Ward: So anyway, I just throw that out as this is this is not the practical application of marriage. This is the foundation of marriage, which does have practical application. I'm not saying it doesn't, but right. I think I've beaten that one up good enough. Perfect. All right, you ready? Yes, sir. Okay. Let's go to Genesis two. We skipped some of these verses last time, folks. Well remember we're just talking about the creation of man, mankind. Yeah. And now we're Randy Spear: This is not the practical application of marriage. This is the foundation of marriage, which does have practical application. I'm not saying it doesn't, but anyway, I think I've beaten that one up good enough. All right, you ready? Yes, sir. Okay. Let's go to Genesis two. And we skipped some of these verses last time, folks. Well, remember we were just talking about the creation of man, mankind. And now we're we're kind of Getting a little more nuts and bolts where Eve is created and there's a there's a wedding ceremony and a marriage foundation established. So eighteen through twenty, please. Okay. The Lord God said, It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a companion for him who corresponds to him. Jeff Ward: Where Eve is created and there's a there's a wedding ceremony and a marriage foundation established. So eighteen through twenty, please. Okay. The Lord God said, It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a companion for him who corresponds to him. Randy Spear: The Lord God formed out of the ground every living animal of the field and every bird of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them, and whatever the man called each living creature, that was his name. Jeff Ward: The Lord God formed out of the ground every living animal of the field and every bird of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them, and whatever the man called each living creature, that was his name. So the man named all the animals, the birds of the air and the living creatures of the field. But for Adam no companion who corresponded to him was found. Okay. So we talked about verse nineteen pretty in depth. Randy Spear: So the man named all the animals, the birds of the air and the living creatures of the field. But for Adam, no companion who corresponded to him was found. Okay. So we talked about verse nineteen pretty in depth last time. So we're gonna talk about that. Yeah. And last time I said we weren't gonna talk about Eve. Well now we're coming back to that. So we'll just step that verse eight eighteen. A couple things to look at. This is God's statement that it's not good for man to be alone, and I'll make a helper or companion for him companion for him. Jeff Ward: Yeah. And last time I said we weren't talking about Eve. Okay. So we'll just step to it. Verse eight eighteen. A couple of things to look at. This is God's statement that it's not good for man to be alone and I'll make a helper or companion for him companion for him. Randy Spear: who corresponds to him, who is like him. Okay, so we can pull a few things from that, just from that one statement. First of all, it's not good that that man is alone. That's that's a statement that he makes, a truth that he identifies. And two things I kind of pull out, I want to talk about that. First of all, we know from that that God created man for a relationship. And currently there is just one human, so we can't have relationship. Now, he also created with a r relationship with God and this has been an ongoing relationship since Adam's creation, since he first Jeff Ward: Okay, so we can pull a few things from that just from that one statement. First of all, it's not good that that man is alone. That's that's a statement that he makes, a truth that he identifies. And two things I kind of pull out, I want to talk about that. First of all, we know from that that God created man for relationship, and currently there is just one human, so we can't have relationship. Now, he also created a relationship with God, and this has been an ongoing relationship since Adam's creation, since he first opened his Randy Spear: opened his Jeff Ward: eyes and there was god just having breathed life into him right but this shows the importance of human relationships and specifically marriage marriage we are made for community community within a marriage community within a family community within a church community within your neighborhood your city county state and or wherever Randy Spear: eyes and there was God just having breathed life into him, right? but this shows the importance of human relationships and specifically marriage, marriage. we are made for community. Community within a marriage, community within a family, community within a church, community within your neighborhood, your city, county, state, and or wherever your however your country is aligned. Jeff Ward: the second thing is Adam, one of his tasks was to fill and multiply. We talk about fill is more more than just having babies and multiply is the same thing, but it certainly includes that. And so this is his mission, and he's starting to look around and realize, wait a minute, I can't do some of what I was told to do all by myself. So so Eve, Adam and Eve, as two are required to accomplish the tasking that mankind was given, the the covenant we talked about the covenant. Randy Spear: The second thing is Adam, one of his tasks was to fill and multiply. We talked about fill is more more than just having babies and multiply is the same thing, but it certainly includes that. And so this is his mission, and he's starting to look around and realize, wait a minute, I can't do some of what I was told to do all by myself. So Eve, Adam and Eve, as two are required to accomplish the tasking that mankind was given, the the covenant. We talked about the covenant that was made with Adam. Jeff Ward: here's another thing. If Adam were to sin, right here, if we if we were to skip this part of chapter two, and then we go to chapter three, and there's the fall of man in chapter three without Eve, then Adam could not be redeemed. What I mean by this, without sexual reproduction, there's no method within designed creation for which God can become a man. Randy Spear: here's another thing. If Adam were to sin, right here, if if we if we were to skip this part of chapter two, and then we go to chapter three, and there's the fall of man in chapter three without Eve, then Adam could not be redeemed. What I mean by this, without sexual reproduction, there's no method within designed creation for which God can become a man. That's one reason that he has never offered redemption to angels, because God cannot become an angel. Jeff Ward: That's one reason that he has never offered redemption to angels, because God cannot become an angel. It requires there are two things designed into creation that allows God to become a man. First, we're created in his image, so he can become a man because of that creation. The other thing is sexual reproduction. So there's more human beings being made, you know, at the created since this through that through that design. So Randy Spear: It requires there are two things designed into creation that allows God to become a man. First, we're created in his image, so he can become a man because of that creation. The other thing is sexual reproduction. So there's more human beings being made, you know, at the and created since this through that through that design. So if this were to if chapter three were to happen before chapter two, well then Adam's got no hope because God can't come and redeem him. Jeff Ward: If this were to if chapter three were to happen before chapter two, well then Adam's got no hope because God can't come and redeem him. Randy Spear: and then the the other thing I like to talk about here is this word companion that you read in the NET. Every other major we'll put this, every other version that I checked uses the word helper versus companion. And I think first of all, helper is a much better word in translation than companion. Jeff Ward: and then the the other thing I like to talk about here is this word companion that you read in the NET. Every other major we'll put this, every other version that I checked uses the word helper versus companion. And I think first of all, helper's a much better word in translation. than companion. But here the NET tries to remove, or my opinion is, the NET tries to remove any negative connotations from the word helper. They're trying to soften it a little bit. But by softening it, they take away much of the meaning that's in that word is helper. So and I put here, you can agree or disagree with me, but any negative connotations to that word helper are only present to the degree that there's pride in your life. Randy Spear: But here the NET tries to remove, or my opinion is NET tries to remove any negative connotations from the word helper. They're trying to soften it a little bit. But by softening it, they take away much of the meaning that's in that word is helper. So, and I put here, you can agree or disagree with me, but any negative connotations to that word helper are only present to the degree that there is pride in your life. So let that stop and see. If you have an issue with helper, it you're it's an internal issue with you. Jeff Ward: So let that stop and see. If you have an issue with helper, it's an internal issue with you. It's not an issue of the selection of the word that the Hebrew writers that Moses used to write. Randy Spear: It's not a it's not a issue of the selection of the word that the Hebrew writers that Moses used to write that Holy Spirit through Moses' pen. Okay. But here I prefer the NET a lot. The the good thing about the New English translation is it comes with tran translators notes. So it's got like this this paper version I have, and then obviously the digital version. I think it says it's got over 60,000 translators notes. So this is not a commentary. This Bible doesn't have a commentary with it. Jeff Ward: I put here I prefer the NET a lot. The good thing about the New English translation is it comes with tran translators notes. So it's got like this this paper version I have and then obviously the digital version. I think it says it's got over 60,000 translators notes. So this is not a commentary. This Bible doesn't have a commentary with the the version I have here. I mean the NET. Randy Spear: the version I have here, I mean the NET, but it has all the notes that the translators used to go, okay, this is why we chose this word versus that word. And here's the here's the reasons to choose you know, a lot of times they'll say, okay, there's one, two or three ways to translate this. And here's the support and pros and cons of one, two, and three, and then this is why we chose to translate it in a particular way. Jeff Ward: But it has all the notes that the translators used to go, okay, this is why we chose this word versus that word, and here's the here's the reasons to choose you know, a lot of times they'll say, Okay, there's one, two or three ways to translate this, and here's the support and pros and cons of w one, two, and three, and the this is why we chose to translate it in a particular way. But Randy Spear: But anyway, so I really like the translators' notes in the NT, but because there's translators' notes, you can see some places where they Jeff Ward: anyway, so I really like the translators notes and NT, but because there's translators notes, you can see some places where they Randy Spear: in my opinion, they they they pick the least offensive term instead of necessarily the term Jeff Ward: In my opinion they they they pick the least offensive term instead of necessarily the term Randy Spear: that that is wanted to be used. And I find that almost never in the Greek or the New Testament and and occasionally in the Hebrew. So I was telling Jeff before we got started, when I'm reading the NET, or not when I'm when I'm studying the N E T in the New Testament, I mean in the Old Testament, I generally go and check. Jeff Ward: that that is wanted to be used. And I find that almost never in the Greek or the New Testament and and occasionally in the Hebrew. So I was telling Jeff before we got started when I'm reading the NET or not when I'm reading when I'm studying the N N E T in the New Testament, I mean in the Old Testament, I generally go and check other versions. Usually I start in New King James and then I go to B S V and just to read that and then also read the translators. I kinda do that with wherever, whatever it is, but I find that Randy Spear: other versions. Usually I start in New King James and then I go to the ESV and just to read that and then also read the translators notes. I kind of do that with wherever whatever it is, but I find that the Hebrew in the NET is is at odds with other translations more so than than normal, I guess. so anyway, let's see. Was what I was going to say about this word, companion. I put here by by trying to be unoffensive unoffensive or culture Jeff Ward: Hebrew in the NET is is at odds with other translations more so than than normal, I guess. so anyway, let's see what what I was gonna say about this word, companion. I put here by by trying to be unascensive unoffensive or culturally acceptable, the NET has removed much of the beauty of this word. Randy Spear: Acceptable. The NET has removed much of the beauty of this word. I put a guy friend, you and I can be command companions, but that's not what Adam was kind of yearning for in verse twenty, and what God said was not good in verse eighteen. he was not just looking for another person to hang out with, he's looking for a person that completes him, a a helper. Jeff Ward: You and I can be command companions, but that's not what Adam was kind of yearning for in verse twenty, and what God said was not good in verse eighteen. he was not just looking for another person to hang out with, he's looking for a person that completes him. Yeah, a a helper. I put here, Eve is not someone for Adam to simply hang out with. so to kind of flesh out this word, Randy Spear: I put here, Eve is not someone for Adam to simply hang out with. so to kind of flesh out this word, let's Jeff Ward: Let's quickly go, because I know you're like the world class at doing this. Pick the ESV or the New King James. Go to Deuteronomy 33, 26. And then read 29. So Deuteronomy 33, verse 26 and 29. Randy Spear: quickly go, because I know you're like the world class at doing this. Pick the ESV or the New King James, because just in case some of these words bleed over. But let's go look up several things. Go to Deuteronomy thirty three, twenty six, and then read twenty nine. So Deuteronomy thirty three verse twenty six and twenty nine. Jeff Ward: I'm not gonna be as fast. Randy Spear: On thirty three, twenty six through twenty nine. No, just twenty six, then twenty nine. Okay. There is none like God, O Jessarun, who rides through the heavens to your help, through the skies in his majesty. Happy are you, O Israel, who is like you, a people saved by the Lord, the shield of your help, and the sword of your triumph. Your enemies shall come fawning to you, and you shall tread upon their backs. Okay. This is done by God Himself, specifically the Holy Spirit. Jeff Ward: thirty three, twenty six through twenty nine? No, just twenty six, then twenty nine. Okay. There is none like God, O Jesser Hesarun, who rides through the heavens to your help, through the skies in his majesty. Happy are you, O Israel, who is like you, a people saved by the Lord, the shield of your help, and the sword of your triumph. Your enemies shall come fawning to you, and you shall tread upon their backs. Okay. This is done by God himself. This is the Holy Spirit, and Randy Spear: And it's used twice, help or helper. Jeff Ward: it's used twice to help or help. Randy Spear: He is our help. He is our helper. That is the exact same word that you is used of Eve in Genesis two. Flip over now, we're only gonna stay in Psalms, so hopefully you can quick Jeff Ward: He is our help. He is our helper. That is the exact same word that you is used of Eve in Genesis 2. Flip over now. We're going to stay in Psalms, so hopefully you can quit. Randy Spear: go quickly through this. Jeff Ward: Okay. Randy Spear: I'm just teaching. Thirty three twenty. Psalm thirty three Jeff Ward: So I'm pretty free. Randy Spear: twenty. Jeff Ward: thirty three twenty. Our soul waits for the Lord. He is our help and our shield. Same thing. This is the same word that strengths help. In the ESV there is same thing. Now go to chapter seventy, verse five. Randy Spear: 3320. Yeah. Our soul waits for the Lord. He is our help and our shield. Same thing. This the same word that's translated help in the ESV there is same thing. Now go to chapter 70, verse 5. Jeff Ward: 70 verse 5. But I am poor and needy. Hasten to me, O God. Randy Spear: seventy verse five I am poor and needy. Hasten to me, O God. Jeff Ward: You are my help and my deliverer. O Lord, do not delay. Okay. Same thing. Help. That's better than you are my companion. What's that? That's better than you are my companion and my deliverer. It's your helper or your completer. go to one fifteen, Psalm 115, 9 through 11, and then we'll then we'll get back to Genesis. Okay. 115 9 through 11. Randy Spear: Okay, same thing. Help. That's the same one. You are my companion. What's that? That's better than you are my companion. Yes, better than you are my canyon. It's your helper or your completer. Go to 115, Psalm 115, 9 through 11, and then we'll then we'll get back to Genesis. 115, 9 through 11. Jeff Ward: O Israel, trust in the Lord. He is their help and their shield. O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord. He is their help and their shield. You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord. He is their help and their shield. Okay, help and our shield. The word help or helper, there is the same word that Eve is to Adam. Okay? Here's what the word literally means: it means a face-to-face fitting together to make up where the one lacks so as as Randy Spear: Israel trust in the Lord. He is their help and their shield. O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord. He is their help and their shield. You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord. He is their help and their shield. Okay, help and our shield. That's the word help or helper. There is the same word that Eve is to Adam. Okay. Here's what the the word literally means. It means a face-to-face fitting together to make up where the one lacks so as as as Jeff Ward: As the Lord looked at Adam, he says he needs somebody to complete him, to help him, to look at him face to face and make up for relax. And it's and it's it ought to be very refreshing and amazing to think that the wife and the Holy Spirit fulfill these similar roles. Randy Spear: The Lord looked at Adam. He says he needs somebody to complete him, to help him, to look at him face to face and make up where he lacks. And it's and it's it ought to be very refreshing and amazing to think that the wife and the Holy Spirit fulfill these similar roles. And it is that word helper is mu used many, many more times to refer to the Holy Spirit or to God Himself than it does to Jeff Ward: And it is that word helper is mu used many, many more times to refer to the Holy Spirit or to God Himself than it does to to Randy Spear: to an a a wife or a man or a husband. So it it does that. And so that should help us understand the richness of that word. Like you said, it's much more than a companion. It's a face to face fitting together to make up where the one lacks and that sounds like my wife to me. And I think that sounds like me to her. Okay. So Jeff Ward: So it it does that and so that should help us understand the richness of that word. Like you said, it's much more than a companion. It's a face to face fitting together to make up where the one lac. And that sounds like my wife to me. And I think that sounds like me to her. Yes. Okay, so Randy Spear: there is I put here there's nothing negative about this word at all. It transcends time and culture. Jeff Ward: There is I put here there's nothing negative about this word at all. It transcends time and culture. And going back to what I said, any negativity by either the husband or the wife is an individual issue of self-centered arrogance. And I know that's abrupt to say that, but it just is. If if this does not sit right with you, that the that Eve is called a helper, and this word that's that's called is us face-to-face fitting together to make up for the one lacks, if if that's sitting wrong with Randy Spear: And going back to what I said, any negativity by either the husband or the wife is an individual issue of self-centered arrogance. And I know that's abrupt to say that, but it just is. If if this does not sit right with you, that the that Eve is called a helper, and this word that's that's called is us face to face fitting together to make up where the one lacks, if if that's sitting wrong with Jeff Ward: you that that that's okay but take that to the Lord and figure out why it sits wrong with you and you the Lord work that out and he will Randy Spear: you, that that that's okay. But take that to the Lord and figure out why it sits wrong with you. And you and the Lord work that out and he will Jeff Ward: he will transform he will restore whatever has been has been hurt within you or whatever misunderstanding you might have to do that so anyway I I I I like the Lord helper versus a companion I put here let's not Randy Spear: He will transform, he will restore whatever has been has been hurt within you or whatever misunderstanding you might have to do that. So anyway, I I I I like the word helper versus the companion. I put here, let's not try to change scripture or turn it around to f to so that we can defend God or Jeff Ward: try to change scripture or turn it around to to so that we can defend God or because he's mo more than capable of defending himself. We're not here to defend God. If if your God needs defending, well then you need a new God. Yeah. Frankly. but we're just gonna look at scripture and see what it is. I put here Adam and Eve are both incomplete without each other. They need each other and they complete each other and they are each other's helpers. Randy Spear: Because he's more than capable of defending himself. We're not here to defend God. If if your God needs defending, well, then you need a new God, frankly. but we're just going to look at scripture and see what it is. I put here, Adam and Eve are both incomplete without each other. They need each other and they complete each other, and they are each other's helpers. that may be going a little bit farther than somebody wants, but that's that's what you can infer from this. They both they both are incomplete. Adam certainly is. Jeff Ward: That may be going a bit farther than somebody wants, but that's that's what you can infer from this. They both they both are incomplete. Adam certainly is. Randy Spear: all right. And then that's verse eighteen. God declares that it's not good for man to be alone. And then in verse 20, Adam kind of comes to the same conclusion. There's no command companion found for him after he named all the animals. He's like, Well, it's just me. And I'm sure cause his his intellect or his IQ, you know, has many zeros added on to end of ours. Jeff Ward: all right. And then that's verse 18. God declares that it's not good for man to be alone. And then in verse 20, Adam kind of comes to the same conclusion. There's no command companion found for him after he named all the animals. He's like, Well, it's just me. And I I'm sure, because his his intellect or his IQ, you know, has many zeros added on to the end of ours. he's literally the CEO of planet Earth and able to to Randy Spear: he's literally the CEO of planet Earth and able to to Jeff Ward: do all that. He's obviously aware that some of what the Lord has told him would be better if there was somebody that that was that was his helper. So anyway, let's go. Twenty one and twenty two. Randy Spear: Do all that. He's obviously aware that some of what the Lord has told him would be better if there was somebody that that was that was his helper. So anyway, let's go on. Twenty-one and twenty-two. So the Lord God caused a man to fall into a deep sleep, and while he was asleep, he took part of the man's side and closed up the place with flesh. Then the Lord God made a woman from the part he had taken out of Jeff Ward: So the Lord God caused a man to fall into a deep sleep, and while he was asleep he took part of the man's side and closed up the place with flesh. Then the Lord God made a woman from the part he had taken out of man, and he brought her to the man. Randy Spear: right. Notice that E Eve is also formed and brought into existence, not spoken into existence. This is another personal creation of the creator himself. But here he's he's made part of a man. There's a there is a oneness here that this creation of taking her out of man, there's a oneness now between the two that is not possible anywhere else in creation. Jeff Ward: Notice that Eve is also formed and brought into existence, not spoken into existence. This is another personal creation of the creator himself. But here he's he's made part of man. There's a there is a oneness here that this creation of taking her out of man, there's a oneness now between the two that is not possible anywhere else in creation. This allows it, even prescribes the one flesh that we'll talk about here in a minute. Randy Spear: This allows it even prescribes the one flesh that we'll talk about here in a minute. This is a quote from a century or so ago a man named Matthew Henry says Eve was taken out of Adam's head Eve was not taken out of Adam's head to top him, neither out of his feet to be trampled on by him, but out of his side to be equal with him, under his arm to be protected by him, and near his heart to be loved by him. Jeff Ward: this is a a quote from a a century or so ago. a man named Matthew Henry says, Eve was taken out of Adam's head. Eve was not taken out of Adam's head to top him, neither out of his feet to be trampled on by him, but out of his side to be equal with him, under his arm to be protected by him, and near his heart to be loved by him. Randy Spear: So this is this is what is happening there. There's it's it's not you know an accident that he used the rib, Adam's rib to create her. And then here's the next thing I want to bring out in verse 22. It says, then the Lord, then the Lord God made a woman from the part he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. So brought her to the man. This is the first wedding ceremony, okay? This is God the Father. Jeff Ward: So this is this is what is happening there. There's it's it's not you know an accident that he used the rib, Adam's rib to create her. And then here's the next thing I want to bring out in verse 22. It says, then the Lord, then the Lord God made a woman from the part he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. So brought her to the man. This is the first wedding ceremony. Okay, this is God the Father as the Father. Randy Spear: As the father of the bride, he's walking her down the aisle. This is what this is this is, as when it says he brought her to him. That's what the father of the bride does. This is a moment in our wedding ceremonies where everybody stands and the groom's mouth drops wide open, right? And many people, my wife, one of them, turn around and look at the groom instead of looking at the bride because they want to see the look on his face. This is a picture of the church and the groom, which is Jesus Christ, groom capital G. Jeff Ward: This is what this is this is as when it says he brought her to him. That's what the father of the bride does. This is a moment in our wedding ceremonies where everybody stands and the groom's mouth drops wide open, right? And many people, my wife one of them, turn around and look at the groom instead of looking at the bride. Because they want to see the look on his face. This is a picture of the church and the groom, which is Jesus Christ. Groom capital G. Randy Spear: And this will be played out in heaven, and it's also played out in Genesis and the rest of scripture over and over, this bride of Christ. But this is the first, first one. And I put here, hey, you think I'm wrong about the look on the groom's face? Then read verse 23. Go and read verse 23. This is the look on the groom's face. Jeff Ward: And this will be played out in heaven and it's also played out in Genesis and the rest of Scripture over and over, this bride of Christ. But this is the first first one. And I put here, hey, you think I'm wrong about the look on the groom's face? Then read verse twenty-three. Go ahead and read verse twenty-three. This is the look on the groom's face. Then the man said, This is the one at last or this one is excuse me, this one at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh. This one will be called woman for she was taken out of man. Alright. So this is the equivalent of Randy Spear: said this is the one at last or this one is excuse me, this one at last is bone of bones and flesh of my flesh. This one will be called woman for she was taken out of man. Alright. So this is the equivalent of the groom's jaw dropping dropping Jeff Ward: Yeah. Randy Spear: open at the beauty of of of his bride. Yeah. Okay. And and he makes these crazy statements. Jeff Ward: Yeah. Okay. And and he makes these crazy statements. I put here, God makes woman out of Adam's body, and then Adam declares it. He he instinctively knows that that she is bone of his bone and f and flesh of of his flesh. And he names her s such in such a way. I put here these two are of the same essence. So think about that for just a second. Randy Spear: I put here, God makes woman out of Adam's body and then Adam declares it. He he instinctively knows that that she is bone of his bone and f and flesh of of his flesh. And he names her s such in such a way. I put here these two are of the same essence. So think about that for just a second. what's amazing to that, and we'll we'll go off on a little bit of a side note here, maybe a little bit, although it's not really a side note, maybe but anyway. Jeff Ward: What's amazing to that, we'll we'll go off on a little bit of a side note here, maybe a little bit, although it's not really a side note, maybe but anyway. I put here someday some of these guys, these two folks' descendants, will be of the same essence of God Himself. What I mean by that? I'm talking about the believers. You and I are of the same essence as God himself, in the same way that Adam and Eve are of the same essence and can be joined together, can be married together. Randy Spear: I put here someday, some of these guys, these two folks' descendants, will be of the same essence of God Himself. What I mean by that? I'm talking about the believers. You and I are of the same essence as God Himself, in the same way that Adam and Eve are of the same essence and can be joined together, can be married together. and then when God became a man, talking about Jesus, man can't mankind got an upgrade. Jeff Ward: And then when God became a man, talking about Jesus, man can mankind got an upgrade. The psalmist tells us that we originally created below the angels, but now we are above the angels. Because we are in Christ seated at the right hand of the Father. Randy Spear: The psalmist tells us that we originally created below the angels, but now we are above the angels, because we are in Christ seated at the right hand of the Father. And we talked about that Ephesians two, four through seven, in the last part of Ephesians chapter one, talking about Christ and two, four through seven, talking about us. But let's go look up a s a couple of verses. Let's go look up first Corinthians six, seventeen, if you don't mind flipping there, please. Jeff Ward: seven in the last part of Ephesians chapter one talking about Christ and two four through seven talk about us but let's go look up a s a couple of verses let's go look up first Corinthians six seventeen if you don't mind flipping there please not at all first Corinthians six seventeen but the one united with the Lord is one spirit with him Randy Spear: But the one united with the Lord is one spirit with him. Okay. The one united with the Lord is one spirit with him. And we've quoted that verse in here many times. Talking about us being being one with Christ. If you go look at the, and I encourage people to go back and look at, we're not taking the time today, but go look at the context of verse 1 Corinthians 6 17. Widen it out a few verses. Read three or four verses on either side of that verse. It's talking about. Jeff Ward: spirit with them and we've quoted that verse in here many times talking about us being being one with Christ. If you go look at the and I encourage people to go back and look at we're not taking the time today but go look at the context of verse first Corinthians six seventeen widen it out a few verses read three or four verses on either side of that verse it's talking about he's correcting the Corinthians because they're they're having sexual relations with Randy Spear: He's correcting the Corinthians because they're they're having sexual relations with prostitutes, and he's equ but he's equating it back to marriage. The context is is marriage and sexual sin. And and he makes that statement right there in the middle of that discussion, that first Corinthians six seventeen, that we we have been joined as one with the Spirit of Christ. So our spirit and the spirit of Christ or the Holy Spirit are joined as one. Jeff Ward: prostitutes and he's equ but he's equating it back to marriage. The context is is marriage and sexual sin. And and he makes that statement right there in the middle of that discussion, that first Corinthians six seventeen, that we we have been joined as one with the Spirit of Christ. So our spirit and the Spirit of Christ or the Holy Spirit are joined as one. Let's go to Romans eight twenty eight and twenty nine. Flip over there if you don't mind and then read that. Now Randy Spear: Let's go to Romans 8 28 and 29. Flip over there if you don't mind and then read that. Now, as an intro, first Romans eight twenty eight, we all have memorized. And and if you don't have it memorized, or you think you don't, once Jeff reads it, you'll go, no, I got that memorized. But but it is the same sentence that goes to verse twenty nine. And then we're gonna read thirty, but it goes to verse thirty two. Thirty also. Thirty include is included in verse twenty eight, this thought process. Jeff Ward: As an intro, first Romans 8 28, we all have memorized. Right. And and if you don't have it memorized, or you think you know, once Jeff reads it, you'll go, no, I got that memorized. Yeah. But but it is the same sentence that goes to verse 29. And then we're all read 30, but it goes to verse 32. 30 also, 30 include is included in verse 28, this thought process. Randy Spear: But it goes further than what we want to right now as far as our discussion. So we'll stop at verse twenty nine. So read Romans eight, verses twenty eight and twenty-nine. And we know that all things work together for the good, for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose, because those whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his son, that his son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. Jeff Ward: But it goes further than what we want to right now as far as our discussion, so we'll stop at verse twenty nine. So read Romans eight, verses twenty eight and twenty nine. Okay. And we know that all things work together for the good, for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose, because those whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his son, that his son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. Randy Spear: Okay, so we have Romans eight twenty eight memorized, many of us do because we Jeff Ward: Because Randy Spear: don't we use it when our circumstances don't feel right. Okay. And it can be any kind of circumstances. Your day is bad or whatever, or something some relationship is cracked or some something has happened and we go, well, God works all things for good. It's not that all things are good, but he does work all things for good. And a quick side note, he's so good at that that it's easy for us to place he is so good at making bad things good. Jeff Ward: Don't feel right, okay, and it can be any kind of circumstances. Your day is bad or whatever, or something, some relationship has cracked, or some something has happened that we go, well, God works all things for good. It's not that all things aren't good, but He does work all things for good. And a quick side note, He's so good at that that it's easy for us to place, He is so good at making bad things good that sometimes we can blame him for the bad things, but that's just not where bad things come from. It comes from Randy Spear: That sometimes we can blame him for the bad things, but that's just not where bad things come from. It comes from us from our sin living and and sinners serving a a a kingdom of darkness. So anyway, but he's he's really good at making bad things good. But why does he do that? Verse 29 tells us the why. So that we would be conformed into the image of his son, so that the son can have brothers and sisters. The entire Jeff Ward: Kingdom of Darkness. So anyway, but he's he's really good at making bad things good. But why does he do that? Verse 29 tells us the why. So that we would be conformed into the image of his son, so that the Son can have brothers and sisters. The entire this is going to contrast the brothers and sisters picture just a little bit, but they're both pictures that the Bible uses. But the entire Bible. Randy Spear: This is going to contrast the brothers and sisters picture just a little bit, but they're both pictures that the Bible uses. But the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation 22 can be summed up as a father in search of or finding a bride for his son. And then that's that's pictured in many times, many ways. We'll talk about a few of them here in just a second. So, but Jeff Ward: Genesis to Revelation 22 can be summed up as a father in search of or finding a bride for his son. And then that's that's pictured in many times, many ways. We'll talk about a few of them here in just a second. So but Randy Spear: I'm not saying you can't use Romans eight twenty-eight for when when you come up against bad things, because God does use bad things for good. But it's th this is this is bigger than us like Jeff Ward: saying you can't use Romans 8 28 for when when you come up against bad things because God does you bad things for good but it's this is this is bigger than us like Randy Spear: Christ is actually becoming of the same essence of him. In this case, he talks brothers and sisters, but same thing, a bride and a groom, as demonstrated in Genesis two, have to be of the same essence. They can't be joined together as one unless they are Jeff Ward: Is actually becoming of the same essence of him. In this case, he talks brothers and sisters, but same thing, a bride and a groom, as demonstrated in Genesis 2, have to be of the same essence. They can't be joined together as one unless they are of the same essence. Okay. I put here, let me just kind of go right to my notes. I said, but but this says all things, and it's to make us like Christ. All things. Randy Spear: Of the same essence, okay. I put here, let me just kind of go right to my notes. I said, but but this says all things, and it's to make us like Christ. All things, I put it here, oddly enough means all things. How your day is going is included, but a very, very small portion. All things includes everything. Everything in Genesis 1, everything in Genesis chapter 1, everything in chapter 2, and yes, every last thing in chapter 3. Jeff Ward: put here oddly enough means all things how your day is going is included but a very very small portion all things includes everything everything in genesis one everything in genesis chapter one everything in chapter two and yes every last thing in chapter three And everything until the very end, until Revelation 22. But here, here, like Christ is not reducing the number of our daily cuss words. It's not becoming more moral. It that is that will be a fruit of being like Christ. Okay, but like Christ has little to do with our actions and our motives, but it has everything to do about who we are. Randy Spear: And everything until the very end, until Revelation 22. But here, here, like Christ is not reducing the number of our daily cuss words. It's not becoming more moral. It that is that will be a fruit of being like Christ. Okay, but like Christ has little to do with our actions and our motives, but it has everything to do about who we are and what we are made of, our very essence. Jeff Ward: And what we are made of, our very essence. And that has changed as being new creations, new creatures in Christ. We are brand new. it is the this this Romans 8 28-29 is the very thing that enables the oneness that's described in First Corinthians six, seventeen. How is it able? How are we able? Well, because God has worked all things to bring us into the form or the likeness of Christ, so that Christ would have brothers and sisters or would have a bride. Randy Spear: And that has changed as being new creations, new creatures in Christ. We are brand new. it is the this this Romans 8 28 29 is the very thing that enables the oneness that's described in 1 Corinthians 6 17. How is it able? How are we able? Well, because God has worked all things to bring us into the form or the likeness of Christ, so that Christ would have brothers and sisters or would have a bride. and Adam and Eve, in their current state. Jeff Ward: And Adam and Eve in their current state, even before the fall, cannot do some of the things and have some of the things that we have. Because we because of the fall, because of the redemption, now we have been we've been actually above and at a higher level than Adam and Eve because we Randy Spear: even before the fall, cannot do some of the things and have some of the things that we have. Because we because of the fall, because of the redemption, now we have been we've been actually above and at a higher level than Adam and Eve because we are one with one with God. Adam and Eve at this stage are not one with God. And then at the end of Genesis three, they're still not one with God. And let just kind of dive into that but I can say you see Adam and Eve can be joined in marriage because they're the same essence. They are alike. But Adam and Eve Jeff Ward: Adam and Eve at this stage are not one with God. And then at the end of Genesis 3, they're still not one with God. And let me just kind of dive into that fact and say, you see, Adam and Eve can be joined in marriage because they are the same essence. They are alike. But Adam and Eve in chapter 2 are not able to be married to Christ, God Himself. They're not able to participate in the wedding celebration in Revelation 19. They are not currently able to be the bride adorned for her husband, the wife of the Lamb in Revelation 21. Randy Spear: in chapter two are not able to be married to Christ, God Himself. They're not able to participate in the wedding celebration in Revelation nineteen. They are not currently able to be the bride adorned for her husband, the wife of the Lamb in Revelation twenty-one, nor can they be the bride in Revelation twenty-two, inviting all to come and take the water of life and free of charge. Jeff Ward: Nor there can they be the bride in Revelation 22, inviting all to come and take the water of life and free of charge. Randy Spear: Chapter three hasn't happened yet. God has not become a man yet. The cross and the resurrection have not happened. Jeff Ward: Chapter 3 hasn't happened yet. God has not become a man yet. The cross and the resurrection have not happened yet. The kingdom of God has not been preached yet. Our and their sanctification has not happened yet here in Genesis 2. They don't need sanctification. I mean, they've already been sanctified before the fall. But we are waiting for, we are witnessing, and we are even experiencing right now the all things that are anticipating Revelation 9, 19, and beyond. Randy Spear: Yet the kingdom of God has not been preached yet. Our and their sanctification has not happened yet here in Genesis two. They don't need sanctification. I mean, they've already been sanctified before the fall. But we are waiting for, we are witnessing and we are even experiencing right now the all things that are anticipating Revelation nine nineteen and beyond. So I just want to bring this out. This is much bigger than just joining a man and a woman together, although it is about joining a man and a woman together. Jeff Ward: So I just want to bring this out. This is much bigger than just joining a man and a woman together, although it is about joining a man and a woman together. God Randy Spear: God the Father walking the pride w now now we're kind of done with that sketching. Let's go back to Genesis two. God the Father walking the bride down the aisle to be joined to the husband. It tells us a few things. First of all, it shows us the importance and the priority of the marriage covenant. It's a most important covenant between two people, and it is to never be broken. It's never to be broken because it is the foundation of society, of all of all society, it's the foundation of every culture. Jeff Ward: Let's go back to Genesis 2. God the Father walking the bride down the aisle to be joined to the husband. It tells us a few things. First of all, it shows us the importance and the priority of the marriage covenant. It's a most important covenant between two people, and it is to never be broken. It's never be broken because it is the foundation of society, of all of all society. It's the foundation of every culture. Randy Spear: And when it breaks down, all those things that are built on it break down. Jeff Ward: And when it breaks down, all those things that are built on it break down. Randy Spear: This is displayed in the whole stor or the story of the whole Bible. A father bringing all things together to find and prepare a bride for the son. it's Abraham, the father, sending out the unnamed servant to find Rebecca, Jeff Ward: This is displayed in the whole stor or the story of the whole Bible. A father bringing all things together to find and prepare a bride for the son. it's Abraham, the father, sending out the unnamed servant to find Rebecca. Randy Spear: a bride for Isaac. It's Jacob working 14 years for his bride, Rachel. It's Hosea buying back his wife Gomer from the slave auction block. Jeff Ward: It's Jacob working 14 years for his bride, Rachel. It's Hosea buying back his wife, Gomer, from the slave auction block after she chose to leave him by her own choice. It culminates in the Son of God giving up his life to win the bride of his heart. So this thing of marriage is to say it's important is and foundational is an understatement. That's good. No, that's great. Are you awake? Randy Spear: After she chose to leave him by her own choice. It culminates in the Son of God giving up his life to win the bride of his heart. So this thing of marriage is to say it's important is and foundational is an understatement. Before we move on, any questions or comments or things you want to add? Are you white? Jeff Ward: Yeah, do you think our wedding ceremonies are patterned after this? Yeah. Randy Spear: Yeah. Jeff Ward: Like walking the father walking the bride down the aisle, that this this is Randy Spear: Yeah, Jeff Ward: a the origin is This is some of the origin I think and then Randy Spear: This is some of the origin I think and then and then the and I'm not an expert on this, but the the Hebrew marriage the Jewish wedding is almost picture perfect. Even to the point Jeff Ward: Expert on this. Right. But the the Hebrew marriage, the Jewish wedding is almost picture perfect. Really? I didn't know that point. Randy Spear: of the bride and the groom becoming engaged, betrothed, and that is much stronger than being engaged in our s in our culture. It's basically being married without living together and living as husband and wife. And then he goes away to prepare a place for her. Jeff Ward: and the groom becoming engaged, betrothed, and that is much stronger than being engaged in our s in our culture. It's basically being married without living together and living as husband and wife. Right. And then he goes away to prepare a place for her. Yep. And then once his pre place is ready, not Randy Spear: And then once his place is ready, not at a time that she knows, she knows the season, but she doesn't know the time. Then he comes back with all of his folks with him. And then he com com gets back for his bride, and he takes her to his father's house, and now that's where they'll start they'll begin to live as husband and wife. And there's a massive blowout party, like a week long party, to celebrate that that marriage. Jeff Ward: at a time that she knows she knows the season, yeah, but she doesn't know the time. Then he comes back with all of his folks with him and then he com com gets back for his bride and he takes her to his father's house and now that's where they'll start they'll begin to live as husband and wife. Yeah. And there's a massive blowout party, like a week long party. Right. to celebrate that that marriage. Yep. Randy Spear: That's an even better picture based on the Bible and the redemption of man and Jesus this will be this will be totally played out right before our eyes as this is happening. And there is the wedding feast of the lamb in Revelation that's talked about. It's gonna be a massive party. A massive feast. It's it's and if you know, we can kind of get kinda grumbly and and get very religious about it, but if you read the old testament, the it's party after Jeff Ward: That's an even better picture based on the Bible, the redemption of man and Jesus. This will be this will be totally played out right before our eyes as this is happening. There is the wedding feast of the Lamb in Revelation that's talked about. It's gonna be a massive party. Yeah. A massive feast. It's it's and if you know, we can kinda get kinda grumbly and and get very religious about it, but if you read the old testament, the it's party after party. Randy Spear: party. Jeff Ward: Right. I mean, and they take up a ten percent tithe to and then they use that ten percent to throw a party. You know, I mean feast. Yeah. All three feasts, they take up a tithe before the feast and then they do have a blowout feast for seven days for a week long. Yeah. And they do that three times a year. Uhhuh. And then if you get somebody married, then you got another another one. And depending on how many people in your bar village are getting married, I mean you could have Randy Spear: I mean, and they take up a ten percent tithe to and then they use that ten percent to throw a party. You know, I mean the feast, all three feasts, they take up a tithe before the feast and then they just have a blowout feast for seven days for a week long. And they do that three times a year. And then if you get somebody married, then you got another another one. And depending on how many people in your ver village are getting married, I mean you could have four, five, six week long parties. So I Jeff Ward: Four, five, six week long parties. So I better not my plan to have a cheap wedding for my daughter is is right out. Exactly. Yeah. Kate and Claire that will not matter for that. Randy Spear: cheap wedding for my is right out. Yeah, exactly. Yeah. Kate and Claire there will not have any of that anyway, so neither will Christy. You cheap guy. But anyway. That's correct. Yeah. I love that picture. See both my marriage where he brought her to the man. Yeah. And since I've already done this twice with both my daughters, I'm all for you having a week long party for marriage for the weddings. I think everybody should do it now and invite me to your week long party. Jeff Ward: That's great. I love that picture. I I've never read it where he brought her to the man. Yeah. And since I've already done this twice with both my daughters, yeah, I'm all for you having a week long party. You want to be invited? Would you come? That's the question with my sleeping bag and and extra undies and everything. Okay. All right. Fire up the smoker, fire up the grill. Randy Spear: yeah, I come, man. I with my sleeping bag and and and extra undies and everything, man. I mean, I'm ready to hang out for a week. Fire up the striker. Yeah, dude. And don't let it burn out. Keep it going. All right. Uh-huh. All right. If this next one, let's reverse twenty four and twenty five. If you would, please, do this in the ESV. Okay. And not the NET. This is when the NET kinda starts to Jeff Ward: Okay. That's great. What a great picture. Thanks, Randy. Uh-huh. All right. If this next one, let's reverse twenty four and twenty-five. If you would please do this in the ESV. Okay. Therefore the MET kinda seems to veer off a little bit. Okay. So let's just go to another version. Therefore a man shall leave his father and his Randy Spear: Veer off a little bit in my opinion. So let's just go to another version. Jeff Ward: mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall Randy Spear: Yeah, shut Jeff Ward: become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked and they were not ashamed. Okay, so there's a couple of commands here to the husband is to leave and cleave, or I think the S V says leave and hold fast. That's a command of God. Yeah. To the husband. Yep. They are to leave, leave his father and his mother, then cleave or hold fast to his wife. A few reasons for this. Because Randy Spear: They were not ashamed. Okay. So there's a couple of commands here to the husband is to leave and cleave, or I think the SV says leave and hold fast. That's a command of God. To the husband. They are to leave, leave his father and his mother, and cleave or hold fast to his wife. A few reasons for this. Because we could s I agree, this is a command, let's do it. But Jeff Ward: We could s I I agree, it is a command, let's do it, but but understanding some of the things behind it I think helps. Randy Spear: But understanding some of the things behind it I think helps. Jeff Ward: What I'm trying to answer is why is it given to the man and not the wife? Notice he doesn't tell Eve have to leave and cleave. put it here, there's probably a few reasons. First, the man at as the leader sets the tone for establishing the new lifelong marriage. And that happens immediately when he leaves and he cleaves. He leaves his old family and he cleaves to his new family as they re-esta they're now establishing this marriage. The temptation is to not leave. Randy Spear: What I'm trying to answer is why is it given to the man and not the wife? Notice he doesn't tell Eve you have to leave and cleave. I put here, there's probably a few reasons. First, the man as the leader sets the tone for establishing the new lifelong marriage. And that happens immediately when he leaves and he cleaves. He leaves his old family and he cleaves to his new family as they reesta they're now establishing this marriage. The temptation is to not leave. I mean, we're not just talking physically and maybe not even primarily physically, but we're talking about an order of relationships here. so it is up to the man to establish this new home, this new marriage by by forsaking all others, as some pe people's wedding vows say, and to leave and cleave. Jeff Ward: I mean, we're not just talking physically and maybe not even primarily physically, but we're talking about an order of relationships here. so it is up to the man to establish this new home, this new marriage, by by forsaking all others as some p people's wedding vows say, and to leave and cleave. Randy Spear: but it Jeff Ward: But it Randy Spear: I think it's more likely if the man does not leave, it's more likely that that his heart is bifurcated or split apart or holds two allegiances than the woman's. so that's why I think one reason the commands given to him. Also, if a woman doesn't leave, the man as a leader has more options for recourse than the wife does. she she d doesn't have a lot of options if he doesn't leave and cleave with his heart, okay? Jeff Ward: I think it's more likely if the man does not leave, it's more likely that that his heart is bifurcated or split apart or holds two allegiances than the woman's. so that's why I think one reason the command is given to him. Also, if a woman doesn't leave, the man as a leader has more options for recourse than the wife does. she she d doesn't have a lot of options if he doesn't leave and cleave with his heart, okay? Randy Spear: In the next section in in chapter three, there's the fall of man and one of the Jeff Ward: In the next section in in chapter three, there's the fall of man and one of the Randy Spear: rulings, one of the judgments against Eve is that her desire before her husband that he may rule over you. I think this sets up a dina a dynamic that this this curse is an instrument the dynamic between mother in law and daughter in law and it's kind of universal. and so it's another reason for the Jeff Ward: one of the judgments against Eve is that her desire will be for her husband that he may rule over you. I think this sets up a dina a dynamic that this this curse is in answering the dynamic between mother in law and daughter in law and it's kind of universal. and so it's another reason for the Randy Spear: temptation for the son not to leave and cleave. But the command is leave and cleave. Jeff Ward: temptation for the son not to leave and cleave but the command is leave and cleave. Yeah and I put here guys your marriage depends on it. It depends on you following this command of the Lord to leave and to cleave. Yeah. this next section it's kind of let me think let me look and see how long it is. I think it we're gonna look up some verses but we're done with Genesis. We're done reading Genesis but this is all we're talking about Genesis. But this next section I want to talk to the married people okay. Randy Spear: And I put here, guys, your marriage depends on it. It depends on you following this command of the Lord to leave and to cleave. Okay. this next section, it's kind of let me think. Let me look and see how long it is. I think it we're gonna look up some verses, but we're done with Genesis. We're done reading Genesis, but this is all we're talking about, Genesis. But this next section, I want to talk to the married people. Okay. The problem with talking about the married people, every once in a while, or not every once Jeff Ward: The problem with talking about the married people every once in a while or n not Randy Spear: in a while, It depends on how you talk about it. There are divorced people in the in the thing too. I'm not this is I'm talking to married people. I am not trying to re-traumatize the divorced people in the audience. I'm not trying to bring up guilt and shame. Jesus Christ himself took up your guilt and took up your shame even if you were divorced. Okay. So but but I need to tell this. It's we need to discuss this section to the married to the married folks. And many and I'm talking to people who've been divorced and now Jeff Ward: It depends on how you talk about it. There are divorced people in the in the thing too. I'm not this is I'm talking to married people. I am not trying to re-traumatize the divorced people in the audience. I'm not trying to bring up guilt and shame. Jesus Christ himself took up your guilt and took up your shame. Even if you were divorced. Okay? So but but I need to tell this it's we need to discuss this section to the married to the married folks. And many and I'm talking to people who've been divorcing now have Randy Spear: have remarried. You are in fact married. We need to talk to this just a little bit here. Okay. Again, I better d divorce is a perfect picture of the thief's goal to kill, steal, and destroy. And Jesus took your guilt and shame upon himself at the cross. So I'm not trying to dig up anything. I'm I'm talking to to married people here for for just a second. And I'm a little bit hesitant to do that sometimes. Jeff Ward: remarried you are in fact married we need to talk to this just a little bit here okay again I better divorce is a perfect picture of the thief's goal to kill steal and destroy and Jesus took your guilt and shame upon himself at the cross so I'm not trying to dig up anything I'm I'm talking to to married people here for for just a second and I'm a little bit hesitant to do that sometimes Randy Spear: But in trying to be nice, sometimes we can not speak the truth. Jeff Ward: But in trying to be nice, sometimes we can not speak the truth. We can always speak the truth in kindness. Nice and kindness are different. Kindness is a scriptural fruit of the spirit. Nice is not. Okay. Nice, I mean kindness will will tell you the truth when you need to hear the truth. Okay. So we need to talk to the the married folks here for just a second. so I'm talking about your marriage here and now. So Randy Spear: We can always speak the truth in kindness. Nice and kindness are different. Kindness is a scriptural fruit of the spirit. Nice is not. Okay. Nice, I mean, kindness will will tell you the truth when you need to hear the truth. Okay. So we need to talk to the the married folks here for just a second. so I'm talking about your marriage here and now. So let me I won't first Corinthians, well, let's go back. Jeff Ward: let me I won't first Corinthians let's go back. Randy Spear: first Corinthians six sixteen. So we read first Corinthians six seventeen and now I want to go back and read first Corinthians six sixteen. I talked about the context. Yeah. So here's the con here here is some of the context. First Corinthians six sixteen. Jeff Ward: first Corinthians six sixteen. So we read first Corinthians six seventeen and now I want to go back and read first Corinthians six sixteen. I talked about the context. Yep. So here's the con here here's some of the context. Okay. First Corinthians six sixteen. Or do you not know that the one Randy Spear: Or do you not know that the one Jeff Ward: who is united with the prostitute is one body with her? For it is said the two will become one flesh. Okay, so what we see here is this two shall become one flesh that we were talking about in Genesis. Part of that prescription is is sex in marriage, okay, because he's saying there sex has a function. One of the functions is to join two into one. Randy Spear: is one body with her. For it is said the two will become one flesh. Okay, so what we see here is this two shall become one flesh that we were talking about in Genesis. Part of that prescription is is sex in marriage, okay? Because he's saying there sex has a function. One of the functions is to join two into one. Okay. And he's saying that works with a prostitute in the say just as much as it works with with your wife. And he's saying, hey, don't do that. Okay. It's also Jeff Ward: Okay. And he's saying that works with a prostitute in the say just as much as it works with with your wife. And he's saying, Hey, don't do that. Okay. It's also like like I mentioned before, just a few minutes ago, it is important to understand where we can can the whys behind some of the the rules. God's commands are never arbitrary. Right. They're to teach us and to show us how to operate in his creation, both the unseen creation and the same creation, okay? Randy Spear: Like we like I mentioned before, just a few minutes ago, it is important to understand where we can can the whys behind some of the the rules. God's commands are never arbitrary. They're to teach us and to show us how to operate in his creation, both the unseen creation and the seen creation. Okay. Sex is a covenant sealing mechanism of the marriage covenant, okay? And it's designed to join two hearts together. I had this Jeff Ward: Sex is a covenant sealing mechanism of the marriage covenant, okay? And it's designed to join two hearts together. I had this this example that I did once and I'm not gonna do it now. Randy Spear: this example that I did once and I'm not gonna do it an out today, but I can talk through it. Duct tape. You if you take duct tape and put it to your shirt here and rip it off, it's gonna stick real good at first, but by the time if you do that several times, it won't stick anymore. Sex is similar that if you have multiple partners outside of marriage, then th and you go each time your heart is joined to one and then ripped Jeff Ward: today but I'm talking to duct tape you if you take duct tape put it to your shirt here and rip it off it's gonna stick real good at first but by the time if you do that several times it won't stick anymore. Sex is similar with that if you have multiple partners outside of marriage then and you go each time your heart is joined to one and then ripped apart. Randy Spear: apart, it eventually Jeff Ward: It eventually just for the psyche, the human soul to survive that, it has to isolate or harden the heart against the joining mechanism that sex sex has. So you have to you it loses some of its ability to do that. That's why God says don't have sex without side of marriage, because he invented this covenant. Randy Spear: just for the psyche, the human soul to survive that, it has to isolate or harden the heart against the joining mechanism that sex sex has. So you have to you it loses some of its ability to do that. That's why God says don't have sex with outside of marriage because he invented this covenant binding process that joins two into one and then goes, okay, this is a Jeff Ward: binding process that joins two into one and then goes, okay, this is a Randy Spear: a process, a thing, a really, really good thing that I put together and design, okay, how do we need to use it correctly so it doesn't end up working against us, the pe you know, the people designed for and that's what he's, you know, within marriage. So I put here, there's other some of let's talk talk think about what are some of the other covenant sealing mechanisms in the Bible to to help us understand this. Jeff Ward: a process, a thing, a really, really good thing that I put together and design. Okay, how do we need to use it correctly so it doesn't end up working against us, the pe you know, the people designed for it. And that's why he's, you know, within marriage. Right. So I put here, there's other some of let's talk talk think about what are some of the other covenant ceiling mechanisms in the Bible to to help us understand this. Randy Spear: Okay. For Genesis fifteen, it's Abraham's covenant. It was sealed with the blood of bulls and goats. Jeff Ward: Okay, for Genesis 15, it's Abraham's covenant. It was sealed with the blood of bulls and goats. Okay. the old covenant was sealed with the blood blood of bulls and goats. It was also sealed with the with the covenant of circumcision. the new covenant is sealed by the blood of Jesus Christ, it is also sealed by baptism. Baptism is the old circumcision. Randy Spear: Okay. the old covenant was sealed with the bloods blood of bulls and goats. It was also sealed with the with the covenant of circumcision. the new covenant is sealed by the blood of Jesus Christ, it is also sealed by baptism. Baptism is the old circumcision. so and up here by covenant sealing mechanism, I mean it this mechanism that shows the individual belonging to the covenant. What answers the question? Jeff Ward: So and up here by covenant sealing mechanism, I mean it this mechanism that shows the individual belonging to the covenant. What answers the question, how do I and others know that I have a covenant with somebody? And let's see. These covenant sealing mechanisms are are both physical or visual, but they're also practical, and but they're Randy Spear: How do I and others know that I have a covenant with somebody? And let's see. These covenant sealing mechanisms are are both physical or visual, but they're also practical and but they're also very mysterious. Okay. I will say this the the the gospel redeems and restores. So if you're have somebody who has taken and made your duct tape full of stuff that takes the sticky away. Jeff Ward: Very mysterious. Okay. I will say this: the the the gospel redeems and restores. So if you're as somebody who has taken and made your duct tape full of stuff that takes the sticky away through the restoration of the gospel, through repentance and through healing, that can be restored. Okay. The marriage covenant is permanent. Randy Spear: through the restoration of the gospel, through repentance and through healing, that can be restored. Okay. The marriage covenant is permanent. Let that sink in for just a second. There's this supernatural joining of hearts just just and and and God never Jeff Ward: Sink in for just a second. There's this supernatural joining of hearts just just and and God never. Randy Spear: intended for it to ever be torn apart. So I put here thus these God given restrictions. Not that God owes us a reason, but it helps us to understand what we when we see how God's righteousness is woven into all of creation. I want to go read a few verses Jeff Ward: So, I've heard thus these God given restrictions. Not that God owes us a reason, but it helps us to understand what we when we see how God's righteousness is woven into all of creation. I want to go read a few verses. Randy Spear: or I want to go have you read a few verses how about that? How about Matthew verses nineteen five through six? Jeff Ward: Okay. How about Matthew verses nineteen, five through six? Matthew. Nineteen, five through six. And said, For this reason a man will leave his father and mother, and will be united with his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate. All right. What God is joined together, no one separates. Mark ten, six through nine then. Randy Spear: become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God is joined together, let no one separate. Alright. What God is joined together, let no one separate. Mark ten, six through nine now. And we'll pause and keep reading here in just a second. But right now, Mark Mark ten, six through nine. Jeff Ward: But from the beginning of creation he made them male and female. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother, Randy Spear: beginning of creation he made them male and female. For this reason a man will leave his father and Jeff Ward: and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together let no one separate. Randy Spear: They no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate. Okay. Again, what God has joined together, let no one separate. And then read keep going, read ten, eleven, and twelve there in Mark ten. In the house, once again, the disciples asked him about this. So he told them, Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery. Jeff Ward: In the house once again the disciples asked him about this, so he told them, Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her, and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery. Randy Spear: and I wanna bring out to to maybe a discussion Jeff Ward: Yeah. Randy Spear: of of anybody who's ever contemplated a divorce, a believer who's thought through divorce at all. Let me throw out a couple of things. First of all, just backing up and I didn't r I never I don't know if I said this in our Let's Dance podcast, but you know, Angela and I from the very beginning, and she didn't she was kinda like, Who is this guy? What's he saying? But I but we made a commitment to never use divorce in a sentence ever. the D word, you know, and we wouldn't and we we we promised each other and we and we've been married next month, 40 years. And and we've not yeah, it's it's all about her endurance and persistence. But yeah, so and we Jeff Ward: Yeah. In a sentence. Right. Right. the D word, you know, and we wouldn't and we we we promised each other and we and we've been married next month forty years. And we've not Good job, Angela. Yeah, it's it's all about her endurance and persistence. But yeah, so and we Randy Spear: w we've been f faithful to that. And you know, it in in a heated discussion and an argument, you know, we just go, we're never gonna lean on that. Jeff Ward: Yeah. You know, it in in a heated discussion and an argument, you know, we just go we're never gonna lean on that as sure. Sure. Anything. We'll just never Randy Spear: as a threat or anything. We'll just never ever contemplate that word. Jeff Ward: My if I can interrupt. My dad, I remember specifically, I was, I don't know, teenager and I was unbuckled in our van. We Randy Spear: Yeah, go ahead. So Dad, I remember specifically I was, I don't know, teenager and I was unbuckled in our van. Jeff Ward: were riding in North Carolina, I think, and mom and dad were in the front two seats and I was kinda in between and your my dad just said, Hey Jeff, just so you know, your mom and I will never get a divorce. It was out of the blue, there wasn't a fight going on, but I remember that's a little anchor. Yeah. Randy Spear: My dad just said, Hey Jeff, just so you know, your never get a divorce. It was out of the blue, there wasn't a fight going on, but I remember that's a little anchor. Yeah. He just said your mom and I, that's not an option. Yep. And I pass to my like, Yeah. You don't need to worry. Right. And it is a worry. Yeah. Especially if you're not getting along, you know, there's a few, you know, some argument going on. Not that not that I've ever had an argument with Angela. But you know, the I've hurt I've heard well, I've never won an argument, but I've heard other people have had arguments. Yeah. So Jeff Ward: He just said your mom and I, that's not an option. And I pass it on to my kids like, hey, you don't need to worry. Like there's a few, you know, some argument going on. Yeah. Not that I've ever had an argument with Angela. Yeah. But you know You never won an argument with Angela, is that what you say? So, you know, yeah, and that's an Randy Spear: You know, yeah, and that's an anchor for that your l little heart was able to hang on to, right? Like you said, that's awesome. Yeah. Jeff Ward: Sure. Like you said, that's awesome. Sure. Yeah. Randy Spear: this is not explic well, let me just say the biblically div divorce is a change of living circumstances. It's not a dissolving of the marriage covenant. And if you go read Mark ten, ten, eleven, and twelve, there's other places places. Matthew four five has a discussion on this. Romans seven, one through four. Jeff Ward: This is not explic well, let me just say the biblically div divorce is a change of living circumstances. It's not a dissolving of the marriage covenant. And if you read Mark ten, ten, eleven and twelve, there's other places places. Matthew four five has a discussion on this. Romans seven, one through four will then talk about the old covenant and new covenant, but he's using marriage Randy Spear: Well then talk about the old covenant and new covenant, but he's using marriage, the marriage covenant as kind of an example to to help us understand the old covenant and the new covenant. But that's Romans seven, one through four. as as I read these, Mark ten, Mark, Matthew five, Romans seven, I can't find any any other reason, I mean, any other way to describe this except for a divorce is not what we have today. Divorce means okay, I'm no longer married. I've dissolved the marriage covenant. Jeff Ward: Kind of an example to to help us understand the old covenant and the new covenant, but that's Romans 7, 1 through 4. as as I read these, Mark 10, Mark, Matthew 5, Romans 7, I can't find any any other reason. I mean, any other way to describe this except for a divorce is not what we have today. Divorce means okay, I'm no longer married, I've dissolved the marriage covenant. This would tell us these Matthew 19, Mark 10, Randy Spear: This would tell us these Matthew 19, Mark 10 sections would tell us that the marriage covenant is permanent and cannot be dissolved. And a divorce is just a change of living circumstances. And if you're to marry another, that's why else would it say if you marry another, you're you're committing adultery unless you're already still married and divorced. So, and Jeff Ward: sections would tell us that the marriage covenant is permanent and cannot be dissolved. Yeah. And a divorce is just a change of living circumstances. Right. And if you're to marry another, that's why else would it say if you marry another you're you're committing adultery unless you're al already still married. Yeah. Yeah. So And here's the wisdom of that. If there's a Christian somewhere that's contemplating divorce, Randy Spear: here's the wisdom of that. if there's a Christian somewhere that's contemplating divorce, Jeff Ward: contemplating divorce, the choice is your current spouse. This is biblically speaking. And the wisdom of this is profound. Your choice when you're contemplating divorce is to live with your current spouse or to live alone. Randy Spear: contemplating divorce. The choice is your current spouse. This is biblically speaking. And the wisdom of this is profound. Your choice when you're contemplating divorce is is to live with your current spouse or to live alone. Jeff Ward: Yeah. Think about that. Randy Spear: Think about that. That's what the Bible's saying for us. And I put this is a fair fight for the spouse. What I mean by that, if you're contemplating divorce and you're comparing your current spouse to your next spouse that you don't even know, your next spouse is still perfect in your mind. Whatever this make-believe spouse that you have f made up in your mind, and now you're comparing your old spouse to is perfect. And and no spouse can compete with that. Jeff Ward: That's what the Bible's saying saying for us. And I put this is a fair fight for the spouse. What I mean by that. If you're contemplating divorce and you're comparing your current spouse to your next spouse that you don't even know, your next spouse is still perfect in your mind. Right. Whatever this make believe spouse that you have f made up in your mind and now you're comparing your old spouse to, is perfect. Right. And and no spouse can compete with that. Exactly. But a spouse can compete with living alone. Randy Spear: But a spouse can compete with living alone if you follow the biblical teaching. And so I'm not saying that you need to stay in an abusive relationship. You can divorce and do live alone. Or you can live separate because of an abusive relationship. this should also, this mentality, if we if we adhere to this, we would be very we might be more considerate when we went into marriage instead of coming out of it. Jeff Ward: follow the biblical teaching. Yeah. And so I'm not saying that you should need to stay in an abusive relationship. Right. You can divorce and do live alone. Or you can live separate because of an abusive relationship. this should also this mentality if we if we adhere to this we would be very we might be more considerate when we went into marriage instead of coming out of it. Randy Spear: I mean instead of instead of that. So these are all things that that I bring out. There's places in the Bible and Jesus explains this way, where Jeff Ward: mean instead of instead of that so these are all things that that I bring out there's places in the Bible and Jesus explains this way where Randy Spear: and Paul does too in a in a place or two where if you're divorcing because of immorality, then that's a justification for for divorce. But again, it's it's not necessarily Jeff Ward: Too in a place or two where if you're divorcing because of immorality, then that's a justification for divorce. But again, it's it's not necessarily dissolving the marriage covenant that was a permanent thing. It says, let no one separate. And Jesus even says, Moses gave that as a clause because of your Randy Spear: dissolving the marriage covenant that was a permanent thing that says, let no one separate. And Jesus even says Moses gave that as a clause because of your hardened hearts. Right. So it's not in the original game plan, right? It's not in the original design. Genesis two here is the original design that that is prescribed by God himself of creating marriage. And that's a picture of the marriage between Jeff Ward: Right. So it's not in the original game plan. Yeah. It's not in the original design. Genesis two here is the original design that that is prescribed by God himself of creating marriage. And that's a picture of the marriage between Jesus Christ and the church. It it's a forever covenant. Yeah. Forever and ever and ever. Right. Randy Spear: Jesus Christ and the church. It it's a forever covenant. Yeah. Forever and ever and ever. Right? All right. So anyway, that's some things. I put here, marriage is a mystery. It it joins two hearts together. There's a spiritual aspect to it. This is a covenant before God. Breaking it off damages damages the heart. Jeff Ward: Right. So anyway, that's some things. put here, marriage is a mystery. It it joins two hearts together. There's a spiritual aspect to it. This is a covenant before God. Breaking it off damages damages the heart. Randy Spear: But however, there is restoration through the gospel. The gospel frees us from the power of sin. We just talked about that in Romans 6 a few weeks ago. It frees us from lust, from pornography pornography, from the draw of illicit sex, which are all different versions of adultery. And the gospel comes in and heals the heart. It restores your duct tape if that's been been s an issue. It it restores the relationship. It can restore a broken marriage. Jeff Ward: Restoration through the gospel. The gospel frees us from the power of sin. We just talked about that in Romans 6 a few weeks ago. It frees us from lust, from pornography, pornography, from the draw of illicit sex, which are all different versions of adultery. And the gospel comes in and heals the heart. Yeah. It restores your duct tape if that's been been s an issue. It it restores the relationship. It can restore a broken marriage. Randy Spear: it can restore both spouses hearts toward each other. it's not something to be taken lightly. It is literally the foundation of society and culture. And we can see, if you just look around, you can see the breakdown of our culture because of the breakdown of the family, because of the breakdown of the f of Jeff Ward: it can restore both spouses' hearts toward each other. Yeah. it's not something to be taken lightly. It is literally the foundation of society and culture. And we can see, if you just look around, you can see the breakdown of our culture because of the breakdown of the family, because of the breakdown of the f of Randy Spear: of of people who have gotten a divorce. Again, I'm not placing blame or Jeff Ward: Again, I'm not placing blame or shame and guilt there. The gospel can restore. The gospel can and will restore our marriages, our families, the foundation of our society, the foundation of our culture, and revive and change America and the world. That's how powerful the gospel is. Yeah. But in Genesis, we see this creation of marriage, we see the priority of marriage, we see the mystery of marriage, of two becoming one, bone by bone. Randy Spear: Shame and guilt there. The gospel can restore. The gospel can and will restore our our marriages, our families, the foundation of our society, the foundation of our culture, and revive and change America and the world. That's how powerful the gospel is. but in Genesis, we see this creation we see of marriage, we see the priority of marriage, we see the mystery of marriage, of two becoming one, bone of my bone, flesh of my flesh. We see that it by where it's in the book. Jeff Ward: And my flesh, we see that it by where it's in the book in the Bible and where it establishes it is in fact the foundation. And I'll just leave us with one thought. I had two thoughts. Let me see if the other one will come to me. But you've said this before with different subjects. But is there any wonder of what we've just described here? Is there any wonder that marriage and sex are a prime target of the Randy Spear: in the Bible and where it out establishes it is in fact the foundation. And I'll just leave us with one thought. I had two thoughts. Let me see if the other one will come to me. But you've said this before with different subjects. But is there any wonder of what we've just described here, is there any wonder that marriage and sex are a prime target of the enemy? Yes. It unravels, it kills, destroys. Jeff Ward: Yes. It unravels. It kills, destroys. Yep. And steals. And what better way to kill, steal, and destroy than to disintegrate the family, dis disintegrate society, disintegrate culture, and then you got a bunch of people that are vulnerable to the attacks of the enemy, to the deception of the enemy. Yeah. to the draw away from a way from the Randy Spear: and steals and what better way to kill, steal and destroy than to disintegrate the family, disintegrate society, disintegrate culture, and then you got a bunch of people that are vulnerable to the attacks of the enemy, to the deception of the enemy, to the draw away from away from the Lord, away from light and love, and peace and into chaos and into destruction through all kinds of sin. But Jeff Ward: peace and into chaos and into destruction through all kinds of sin. But but it it you can we've said this before but you can s one of the ways you can tell how important things are is by how much focus the enemy puts on it. Yeah. The enemy has a great focus on marriage and sex. Yeah. And it's obvious looking around our culture. Randy Spear: But it it you can we've said this before, but you can s one of the ways you can tell how important things are is by how much focus the enemy puts on it. And the enemy has a great focus on marriage and sex. And it's obvious looking around our culture. Jeff Ward: Yeah, that's kinda going on right now with young people that they're you know, they're saying, Well, there's no no possible way you that a some a Christian should say that well, th the idea that sex before marriage is okay is not good. That idea is just stupid today. I mean, come on. And so they want you to think, Well, it's just an act, it's fun, it's whatever and but but I think you've said before, God put a restriction on it. Randy Spear: Young people that they're you know, they're saying, Well there's no no possible way you that a some a Christian should say that well, the idea that sex before marriage is okay is not good. That idea is just stupid today. It is, yeah. And so they want you to think, Well it's just an act. It's fun it's just physical act, yeah. But but I think you've said before, God put a restriction on it, not you said it today, but God put Jeff Ward: not you said it today, but God put a restriction on it not to say, all right, quit having fun, but because it has a function and that function is to make one flesh. Yes. And so he put a restriction on it, which is I've used this because of your teaching to tell my kids is it's not just me. It's not just a a rule you should do 'cause it's better or whatever, but because you're at there's a function to it destroys a heart. Randy Spear: Yes. So he put a restriction on it, which is I've used this because of your teaching to tell my kids is it's not just me. It's not just a a rule you should do 'cause it's better or whatever. Because you're at there's a function to it destroys a heart. Yeah. You know, slowly rips it apart. Uh-huh. You should well Jeff Ward: You know, slowly rips it apart. So you should well, like what's it say in First Corinthians six there, flee. Flee from sexual morality. Uh-huh. So, I don't know. It's it's good and you could like you said, you see Satan just dis or Satan running around saying, It's no big deal. Right. And it's a huge deal. Yeah, a huge deal. And then like you s like you said, it is Randy Spear: good and you could like you said you see Satan just dis or Satan running around saying it's no big deal. You're right. And it's a huge deal. Yeah, it's a huge deal. And then like you s like you said, it is destroying our families a little bit at a time. Mm-hmm. And we don't even see it, we just think, Yeah. But it is a big deal. It's a huge deal. It's the one thing that Satan is very good at is taking ground slowly. Jeff Ward: destroying our families a little bit at a time. Mm-hmm. And we don't even see it, we just think, But it is a big deal. It's a huge deal. It's the one thing that Satan is very good at is taking ground slowly. Yeah. And you wake up and you go, man. Yeah. When Randy Spear: And you wake up and you go, man, when and where did I give up that ground? you know, morally, intellectually, spiritually. And the church is sitting here right now, I think, in a lot of areas, you know, asleep at the wheel. kind of lulled into this into this thing and where yeah, okay, it's just physical. you know, it's just two people getting together and it's like, no, it's it's supernatural. Jeff Ward: you know, morally, intellectually, spiritually. And the church is sitting here right now, I think, in a lot of areas, you know, asleep at the wheel. Right. kind of lulled into this into this thing. And or yeah, okay, it's just physical. you know, it's just two people getting together and it's like, no, it it's supernatural. Yeah. It's it's there are things occurring in the seen and the unseen realm. Yeah. And marriage is supernatural. The marriage covenant is before God and Randy Spear: It's it's there are things occurring in the seen and the unseen realm. And marriage is supernatural. The marriage covenant is before God and it is permanent. you know, we read three different verses of whatever God has joined together, let no man separate. You know? And you go, Well, there's reasons for this. I got it. We can also look back and go, it was because of the hardening of the heart that Moses allowed you to do that. That's what Jesus said. and and I I and I I I will Jeff Ward: Right. You know. And you go, Well, there's reasons for this. I got it. We can also look back and go, It was because of the hardening heart that Moses allowed you to do that. That's what Jesus said. and and I I and I I I will Randy Spear: I I my heart goes out to divorce people. Nobody gets married thinking that this is going to end a divorce. Nobody wants divorce. even the ones, the people that can't stand each other anymore, that want it now, that's not the way it started. And so but but we gotta stay true to God's word Jeff Ward: married yeah thinking that this is gonna end a divorce. Right. Nobody wants divorce. Yeah. even the ones the people that can't stand each other anymore that want it now that's not the way it started. Exactly. And so but but we gotta stay true to God's word. Randy Spear: and we've got to go, here's the priorities and set the priorities and Jeff Ward: Yeah. Randy Spear: and Marriage is a huge priority of the Lord. Yeah. And I like the way you say God offers hope and restoration and Jeff Ward: Yeah. And I like the way you say God offers hope and restoration and redemption for all our pasts. I mean he offers it and it's not just on paper. Right. It's the real thing. Yeah. It is the real thing. The gospel heals our hearts. Randy Spear: Yeah. I mean he offers it and it's not just on paper. Right. It's the real thing. Yeah. It is the real thing. The gospel heals our hearts and we all have wounded hearts in all different ways and areas. And and he'll come in and he the gospel comes in and heals us and makes it right. Jeff Ward: Yep. Okay. Anything else? No. That's great. Great lesson. Thanks, Randy. You got to say I've enjoyed these first two chapters. The next chapters it all turns south, right? True. True. And we'll spend a couple of lessons probably on that. Okay. And talking through that 'cause as th this lesson, Genesis one impacts us every day of our life. Genesis two Randy Spear: All right, anything else? No. All right. Thanks, Randy. I've enjoyed just say I've enjoyed these first two chapters. The next chapters it all turns south, right? Genesis three. And then and we'll spend a couple of lessons probably on that and and talking through that 'cause as this this lesson, Genesis one, impacts us every day of our life. Genesis two, same thing. Genesis three obviously impacts us. Jeff Ward: same thing genesis three obviously impacts us right everyday life and and and the prophesied messiah is in genesis three and it changes so cool tone in everything there's there's a tone of okay here's the fall but then there's a tone of redemption that is throughout for the next every chapter in the very book all the way to Revelation's twenty yeah it's all about this how do we restore what was lost in Genesis three yeah we'll go look Randy Spear: Every day of our life. And and and the prophesied Messiah is in Genesis three and it changes the tone of everything. There there's a tone of okay, here's the fall, but then there's a tone of redemption that is throughout for the next every chapter in the very book, all the way to Revelation twenty two. It's all about this how do we restore what was lost in Genesis three. Yeah, we'll go Jeff Ward: Okay. All right. Thanks, Randy. Randy Spear: Thanks, Raymond.