After graphically rebuking the priests of Israel for failing to keep their covenant obligations, God turns to the Israelites who have been violating their covenants with both Him and with their spouses. As we clearly see God’s heart for marriage, we are blessed to be better equipped to keep our marital covenants because of our position under the New Covenant.

Scripture Reference

Malachi 2: 10-16

Sermon Notes

God’s Heart for Marriage is something He protects passionately through covenants.

  1. The Mosaic Covenant Reveals God’s Heart for Who We Marry (vv 11-12)
    1. The Israelites were not to marry those who believed in other gods.
      Note: This was not racial, as evidenced by the number of foreign women who followed God and married into Israel (e.g. Rahab, Ruth).
    2. As Christians, the principle still applies. God still cares passionately about who we marry – we are to marry other Christians.
    3. God’s heart for those already married to an unbeliever is to stay married and provide a good example by living out your faith.
  2. The Marriage Covenant Reveals God’s Heart for Faithful Marriage (vv 13-16)
    1. Marriage is a covenant, God is a witness to it, and He is part of it
    2. God is passionate that we be faithful to our spouse – physically, mentally, and emotionally
    3. God rejects the casual divorces the Israel men were practicing
  3. The New Covenant in Jesus Christ Equips Us to Have a Marriage After God’s Own Heart
    1. The Old Testament covenant points to the New Covenant we celebrate this morning
    2. The gospel gives us tools and power to live the marriage God wants us to have. The list is endless, but we’ll choose 3:
      1. Our identity in Christ means we can let go of the unrealistic expectations that our spouse will provide our identity and meaning.
      2. Understanding our own sin nature and need for forgiveness and grace helps us to be patient and forgiving of our spouse’s weaknesses.
      3. We have the ability to love (the verb) even when we don’t feel love (the noun) because of the infinite love of God which we don’t deserve.