INTIMACY AND SECURITY

GENESIS 4:1–2

Adam knew his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain.

(Genesis 4:1a)

The ordinary way sexual relations are described in the Bible is by the use of the verb “to know.” This is not just some fluke of the Hebrew language, which happens then to carry over into New Testament Greek. There is a profound meaning in the Bible’s use of “knowledge” to mean sexual relations.

Because true sexual relationships are a form of knowledge, casual liaisons are by their very nature counterfeit. When Isaac married Rebekah, he removed her veil; but when Judah made use of a prostitute, her face was wrapped (Genesis 24:65–67; 38:14–19). The only proper form of sexual knowledge takes place in marriage because in marriage two people live together and get to know each another.

When the veil of the temple was ripped apart at the death of Jesus, part of what it meant was that the veil between Christ and His bride was removed. The full knowledge of the Gospel was revealed. The mystery hidden for ages was now given out. The marriage of Christ and His church entered a new, closer phase. This is an important theme in Ephesians, as we have noted these past three months. It shows us once again the importance of knowledge for any kind of close relationship.

Sadly, in most marriages people enter into times when they begin to conceal things from one another. Marriage is so intimate that after a while each partner feels slightly betrayed by the other as a result of many little things that have happened. Thus, we become reserved with each other. But just as we cannot get to know God unless we know the content of the Bible, we will not have a good relationship with our spouses unless we study them and get to know them. This means carrying on real conversations, not just talking about the weather.

The more secrets we keep from each other, the more insecure our marriage will become. This will set us up for adultery because we may well meet someone else who seems to know us better and care about us more. The only way to have a solid, secure marriage is to study each other. Mutual knowledge will lead to greater intimacy and to greater security.

CORAM DEO

1 Samuel 22–23 Psalms 56; 59

How well do you know your spouse? Make a commitment to know that person better. In like manner, how well do you know the husband of the church, Christ Jesus? Strive to know Him more fully and intimately with each passing day.

For further study: Psalm 139 • Jeremiah 24:4–7 • John 10:11–15

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