"Man and woman were created for marriage. 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh (Gen. 2:24). This introduces a new, creative aspect of human existence — procreation.
…
"It is interesting that Genesis draws a connection between sex and knowledge: 'Adam knew his wife.' The Hebrew word here, jaddah, doesn't mean 'head knowledge' alone; it also refers to concrete experience. Significantly, the experience in which husband and wife unite so closely as to become one flesh is called 'knowledge.' …
"This term, 'knowledge,' raises human sexuality above the level of animals to the level of persons. Knowledge refers to the deepest essence of married life. In becoming one flesh, both men and women acquire knowledge through the body. A husband and wife come to 'know' the meaning of their bodies. In a unique way, the woman is given to the man to be known, and he is given to her. This experience of the gift makes them one without blurring their individuality.
"We all long to be known deeply for who we are. According to Genesis, a man and a woman can know each other in this deep way when they become one flesh.
"Three of the Old Testament prophets [Hosea, Isaiah, and Ezekiel] use this same word, 'knowledge,' to describe the union of God and his people [by saying that they will know the Lord or will know that he is the Lord]. …
"In the New Testament, Paul takes this further. He tells us that the union of husband and wife is a picture of Christ's love for the Church (Eph. 5:32).
"God knows us more than any other person possibly can and wants us to know him. Whether we are male or female, married or unmarried, young or old, this is the relationship to which Christ is calling each of us."
Italics in original, bold emphasis added.
An der Grabstätte von Kronprinzessin Cecilie
1 week ago
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