How God's Word Promotes a Healthy Marriage - Proverbs 2:17

That leaves the companion of her youth And forgets the covenant of her God; Proverbs 2:17

Many folk may not realize this, but it is a very healthy thing for your marriage to spend time in the Word each day reading it and listening to God through it.  It is this very Word that counsels us in a way that will deliver us from a woman or man who would forget their marriage covenant - and leave their spouse.

Today's proverb of the day takes us back to a promise that was made in verse 11.  As we get into the Word of God and learn wisdom from it, we will find that the discretion it gives us will guard and watch over us.  After telling us how it will guard us from the way or evil and the man who would speak perverse things to us (by perverse it is speaking of one who would pervert God's ways and replace them with his own, the worlds, or the devil's ways) it then turns to the adulteress and the strange woman. 

We are told that the adulteress leaves the companion of her youth.  The idea here is not that she leaves a boyfriend - but that she is leaving her husband.  If that is not clear in the first part of the verse, it becomes very clear when we are told that she "forgets the covenant of her God."  Some might argue that this refers to God's Law - more than any kind of marriage covenant.  I would agree whole-heartedly on this point of Scripture, but I would also add that God's covenant is what teaches us to honor marriage and remain committed to our spouse. 

As a pastor I find it kind of funny that some people think that the traditional marriage ceremony is out of Scripture.  It is often treated as if it is just as authoritative as Scripture.  With no desire to lay waste to the ceremony itself, I have to state that the ceremony is not in the Bible.  Having said that, I do believe that the principles behind it are absolutely supported by the Word of God - but the word for word ceremony is not.  The only thing we have close to a ceremony for marriage is the words God inspired in Adam and God's commentary on it afterward in Genesis 2:23-25 when He brought Adam and Eve together.

Some, seizing upon this, assert that there is no need for marriage or any kind of marriage ceremony.  Whether or not this is true (the ceremony part), there is one thing that I can absolutely assure you of that is Scriptural.  Mmarriage between a man and woman - is called a covenant twice in the Scriptures.  Here in Proverbs chatper 2 we see that the adulteress leaves her husband and disregards the covenant made with her God.  Again in Malachi 2:14 we see that marriage is considered a covenant with God.  Therefore, whether you have a ceremony like the traditional one or not - you are not married until you enter into a covenant with God - and God takes covenants very seriously. 

That is why we are warned to be delivered from such a woman.  It is wisdom to know to stay away from an adulteress woman who forgets a covenant with God to love her husband exclusively (and just so there is no doubt - we should stay away from an adulterer or whoremonger too for the same reasons.)  Wisdom honors covenants and appreciates those who remain true to their word - whether given in a covenant or not.  Jesus makes that clear when He tells us to let our yes be yes and our no be no.  One who disregards their word when their sensual desires rise up within them is not a wise companion.  When this is the case with someone of the opposite sex - it turns out to be more than just unwise - it is deadly!

The Word of God will counsel and admonish us to walk in a way that will honor our word - and especially honor God's Word.  That is why it is so important for your marriage that you get into the Word every day and make sure that the Word gets into you.