The Book of Genesis is a wonderful book of the Word of God mainly because it is a book of beginnings. In Chapter one, we see the beginning of creation and the universe. In chapter 2, we see four beginnings: 1) The first Sabbath. (2:1-3) 2) The first garden. (2:8-9) 3) The first Law. (3:15-17) 4) The first family. (2:18-25).

It should be noted that God created all of these things for His glory. Colossians 1:16 says, “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.” (ESV) One of these is the family and the home.

In a 2011 article featured in Time magazine called “Who needs Marriage?” it stated the following things:

• In 1960, nearly 70% of American adults were married; in 2008, it was at 26%.
• Eight times as many children are born out of wedlock.
• In 1960, 2/3 of 20-somethings were married; in 2008, it was at 26%.

The article in its conclusion stated, “What we found is that marriage, whatever its social, spiritual, or symbolic appeal, is in purely practical terms just not as necessary as it used to be.” This is a very sad state of affairs in our society that marriage and the home is just not as important to individuals as it once was. What is equally sad, is that as goes the home, so goes the churches and the nation. As the moral fabric of the home deteriorates, so will the moral fabric of the church and the nation will deteriorate.

So here lies an important question: Why must we strive together for family unity?

#1-Marriage and the home is a unique relationship. We read about that in Genesis 2:18-20 in which God said that it was not good for Adam to be alone. God knew what the need of Adam was and that need is he needed female companionship. God saw the need and God met the need of Adam. Our God is a Sovereign God and knows all about us and mankind and knows what we need and that need is a Husband/wife relationship.

#2-Marriage and the home is a unifying relationship. How does marriage and the home unify us? Because we are unified through acceptance. We see evidence of this in verse 23, “And Adam said, “This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” (KJV) So, what is acceptance? “Acceptance is the optimum environment for growth.” Husbands, do you accept your wife and love her unconditionally and encourage her to grow? Wives, do you do the same for your husband? The Apostle Paul said it best in Ephesians 5:28-29, “So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church.” (KJV) Adam completely accepted Eve as his wife because she was created and given to him by a Sovereign God.

#3-Marriage and the home is designed to be an unbroken relationship. Chapter 2, verses 24-25 states this, “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.” The word “cleave” in verse 24 means “to be glued together.” When a man and woman unite in marriage they are to be so much in love with one another, they are joined together as two pieces of wood are glued together. In what ways are they to be joined together? #1-Spiritually. This means to worship God together, pray together and study and share God’s word together. #2-Emotionally-This means to cry, laugh, mourn and enjoy life together. #3-Physically- Marriage is the only relationship on earth in which God condones physical intimacy is between husband and wife. (Hebrews 13:4)