Why Do They
OPPOSE MIXED MARRIAGES?
Lesson Text: 1 Corinthians 7:39b; 2 Corinthians 6:14.
Devotional Reading-Subject: The Sacredness of Marriage, Mark 10:2-9.
AIM: That the pupil learn and abide by the Divine laws of marriage.
HOME READINGS
Marriage Instituted, Gen. 2:23, 24.
Within the Tribe, Numbers 36:1-13.
Paul’s Views, 1 Corinthians 7:1-40.
Do Not Marry Enemy, Deut. 7:1-11.
Home and Church Compared, Eph. 5:21-33.
Husband of One’s Wife, 1 Tim. 3:1-5.
1. Because the Jews Were Not To Marry With One Other Races.
One of the big reasons for not mixing the races in marriage is the example God set with the Hebrews people. Abraham made his servant swear not to secure Isaac a wife “of the daughters of the Canaanites” (Gen. 24:3). He instructed him to go among Abraham’s own people for Isaac’s wife (Gen. 24:4). In turn, Isaac told Jacob not to “take a wife of the daughters of Canaanites” (Gen. 28:1).
Under the Law of Moses the children of Israel were forbidden to marry any of the inhabitants of Canaan. “Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto this, nor his daughters shalt thou take unto thy son” (Deut. 7:3). The reason God gave was the danger of turning the Israelites away from God to idols (Deut. 7:4).
Under Joshua’s leadership the Israelites were warned again not to marry anone among the heathen races (Josh 23:12). In this case, Joshua said their refusal to obey would cause God to stop driving out their enemies (Josh23:13). That would mean serious problems for the nation. Regardless of the warning, the book of Judges reveals Israel did exactly as they were told not to do. “And they took their daughters to be their wives, and gave their daughters to their sons, and served their gods” (Judges 3:6). One has only to read the book of judges to see the consequences Israel endured for their failure in this area.
When the Jews returned from the Babylonian captivity, they committed some of the same errors as before. One was marring with the heathens (Ezra 9:2). Ezra called upon the people to sever such marriages (Ezra 10:10, 11). This was a grave matter, because there were children involved (Ezra 10:44). Nehemiah faced the same thing (Neh. 13:23-25). He dealt with the situation even more severely than Ezra. The point is God didn’t want His people marrying the heathen.
2. Because Believers Are To Marry “In the Lord.”
The lesson text in 1 Corinthians actually states one is to marry “only in the Lord” (1 Cor. 7:39). A Christian woman should not marry a lost man, and a Christian man should not marry a lost woman.
Otherwise, there is the same problem as with the Jews. The believer could be drawn away from the Lord. Solomon was unwise in this matter (1 Kings 11:1, 2). He went against God’s specific command, and he was turned away from the Lord. “And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart” (1 Kings 11:3). One might work things out for a while, but time will often work against such an agreement. A believer is tempted to quit standing for truth to live with his unbelieving mate. “For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after the gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father” (1 Kings 11:4).
This does not mean every marriage, which mixes a believer with an unbeliever, is totally unharmonious. Many such marriages seem to be happy relationships. However, they are not the ideal to which God’s people should describe. Marriage can have man problems anyway, so why put to it to another test by its lack of an essential, spiritual foundation?
Nor does this mean every marriage between two believers is totally harmonious. There are more things to consider besides one’s spiritual condition in choosing a mate for life.
3. Because Believers Are Not To Be Unequally Yoked With Unbelievers.
The lesson text in 2 Corinthians is uncompromising. “Be ye not enequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness?” (2 Cor. 6:14). That forbids believers from entering into marriage with unbelievers. “And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?” (2 Cor. 6:15).
This gives rise to other matters besides one’s salvation. What about people who are non-Baptist? A strict Baptist could find plenty of discord in a marriage with one who believes anti-Baptist doctrines. One would have to consider seriously whether such a marriage really honors to Christ. Too many marriages dishonor Christ for a Baptist to enter into one deliberately which dishonors Him. Every believer should seek to honor Christ in marriage.
God calls for His people to live separated lives from the world. “Wherefore come out form among them, and be ye and I will receive you” (2 Cor. 6:17). Would anyone dare argue that applies to every phase of one’s life but his separation of a mate? Does it apply to everything but a separation of Baptist from non-Baptist?
For Discussion. What about promises of making church changes after marriage?
4. One Sense in Which Marriages Should Be Mixed.
This should not have to be said, but in these times, He specified the participants were “male and female” (Gen, 1:27). Since God created both of them, He set up marriage exactly as He wanted in respect of the sexes. Any setting aside of His prototype cannot meet with His approval.
Some who prefer homosexuality say it is merely an alternative life style. However, the Bible teaches God gave up those who select such a life style. “For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, working that which is unseemly of their error which was meet” (Rom. 1:26, 27).
