NOTE.-Intermarriage with the unG.o.dly was the mistake made by the professed people of G.o.d before the flood, and G.o.d did not wish Israel to repeat that folly.
13. What instruction is given in the New Testament regarding marriage with unbelievers?
"_Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers_: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? and what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? and what agreement hath the temple of G.o.d with idols? for ye are the temple of the living G.o.d." 2 Cor. 6:14-16.
NOTE.-This instruction forbids all compromising partnerships.
Marriage of believers with unbelievers has ever been a snare by which Satan has captured many earnest souls who thought they could win the unbelieving, but in most cases have themselves drifted away from the moorings of faith into doubt, backsliding, and loss of religion. It was one of Israel"s constant dangers, against which G.o.d warned them repeatedly. "Give not your daughters unto their sons, neither take their daughters unto your sons, nor seek their peace [by such compromise] or their wealth forever." Ezra 9:12. See also Ex. 34:14-16; Judges 14:1-3; Ezra 9 and 10; and Neh. 13:23-27. Even Solomon fell before the influence of heathen wives. Concerning him the inspired Word has left this melancholy record: "His wives turned away his heart after other G.o.ds." 1 Kings 11:4. No Christian can marry an unbeliever without running serious risk, and placing himself upon the enemy"s ground. The Scriptures do not advocate separation after the union has been formed (see 1 Cor. 7:2-16), but good sense should teach us that faith can best be maintained, and domestic happiness best insured, where both husband and wife are believers, and of the same faith.
Both ministers and parents, therefore, should warn the young against all improper marriages.
14. What instruction did Abraham give his servant Eliezer when sending him to select a wife for his son Isaac?
"Thou shalt take a wife for my son _of my kindred, and of my father"s house_." Gen. 24:40.
NOTE.-This pa.s.sage indicates that in early Bible times parents generally had more to do in the selection of life companions for their children than they commonly have now. Young people who are wise will seek the advice and counsel of their parents, and above all, will seek to know the will of G.o.d, before entering upon this important relationship, with its grave responsibilities and its momentous consequences.
15. For how long does marriage bind the contracting parties?
"For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband _so long as he liveth_." Rom. 7:2. See 1 Cor. 7:39.
16. What only does Christ recognize as proper ground for dissolving the marriage relationship?
"Whosoever shall put away his wife, _except it be for fornication_, and shall marry another, committeth adultery." Matt. 19:9.
NOTE.-Civil laws recognize other reasons as justifiable causes for separation, such as extreme cruelty, habitual drunkenness, or other like gross offenses; but only one offense, according to Christ, warrants the complete annulment of the marriage tie.
There is a bliss beyond all that the minstrel has told, When two that are linked in one heavenly tie, With heart never changing and brow never cold, Love on through all ills, and love on till they die.
MOORE.
A Happy Home, And How To Make It
[Ill.u.s.tration.]
The Home Circle. "Happy the home when G.o.d is there, And love fills every breast."
1. Where and by whom were the foundations of home laid?
"And _the Lord G.o.d_ planted a garden eastward _in Eden_; and _there_ He put the man whom He had formed." Gen. 2:8.
2. In making this home, what besides man was needed?
"And the Lord G.o.d said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him _an help meet_ [one _adapted_, or _suitable_] _for him_."
Verse 18.
3. After creating Adam and Eve, what did G.o.d say to them?
"And G.o.d blessed them, and G.o.d said unto them, _Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth_." Gen. 1:28.
4. To what are the wife and children of the man who fears the Lord likened?
"Happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee. Thy wife shall be _as a fruitful vine_ by the sides of thine house: thy children _like olive-plants_ round about thy table." Ps. 128:2, 3.
5. What are children declared to be?
"Lo, children are _an heritage of the Lord_." Ps. 127:3. "Children"s children are _the crown of old men_; and the glory of children are their fathers." Prov. 17:6.
6. How should the wife relate herself to her husband?
"Wives, _submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord_. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church." Eph. 5:22, 23.
7. And how should husbands regard their wives?
"Husbands, _love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church_, and gave Himself for it.... So ought men to _love their wives as their own bodies_. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.... Let every one of you in particular _so love his wife even as himself_; and the wife see that she reverence her husband." Verses 25-33.
8. Against what are husbands cautioned?
"Husbands, love your wives, and _be not bitter against them_." Col. 3:19.
9. Why should wives be in subjection to their husbands?
"Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; _that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation_ [_manner of life_] _of the wives_." 1 Peter 3:1.
10. Why should husbands be considerate of their wives?
"Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; _that your prayers be not hindered_." Verse 7.
11. Why should children obey their parents?
"Children, obey your parents in the Lord: _for this is right_." Eph. 6:1.
12. How should parents bring up their children?
"And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but _bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord_." Verse 4.
13. Why should fathers not provoke their children to anger?