n the beginning, after creating man from the dust of the earth, God said, "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him" (Gen. 2:18). God wanted Adam to feel the need for a companion who would be fitting for him emo­tionally, socially and spiritually, as well as physically. So, prior to creating woman, He brought to Adam “every beast of the field and every bird of the air” (Gen. 2:19). As Adam went about naming them, he could not help but notice that for every male there was a suitable female - the lioness for the lion, the hen for the rooster, the mare for the stallion, etc. "But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him" (Gen. 2:20). Unlike the beasts of the field and birds of the air, man is not merely conscious, but self-conscious, and would need a self-conscious counterpart. Birds, insects, reptiles and other lower creatures are primarily led by instinct, while man has the ability to choose alternatives. Therefore, he would need a partner who likewise had the power of choice. While many animals have the ability to communicate with others of their own kind, only man has the ability to converse. Because of this, he would need a companion with whom he could exchange ideas. Man, unlike beasts, has a moral sense; so he would need a partner who could also distinguish right from wrong. These differences between man and the other creatures resulted from man having been created "in the image of God" (Gen. 1:27). In order to satisfy the man’s need for a suitable mate, “the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. Then the rib which the LORD God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man” (Gen. 2:21-22).

he apostle Paul was inspired to write, “A wife is bound by law as long as her husband lives” (1 Cor. 7:39). There is obviously a difference between married and bound else one is bound only as long as he is married.

hen asked about the right of “a man to divorce his wife for just any reason,” Jesus “answered and said to them, ‘Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning “made them male and female,” and said, “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh”? So then, they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate’” (Matt. 19:3-6).

hus, in a scriptural marriage, God binds a man and woman to one another. This simply means that they are mutually constrained to fulfill the responsibilities of marriage, and mutually restrained from having any other marriage partner. While the state may join two persons together in a marriage, only God can join them together in the marriage bond. &

FIRST TWINS & TODAY’S YOUTH

C. Boyd Jennings

n Tuesday night August 31^st, during the Republican National Convention, the “first twins” Barbara and Jenna Bush took their turn at the podium. Their combined speech was straight from the heart, which is good, we like young people to be honest. However, some of what they said sent a clear signal as to where many young people stand, and how they want to be viewed by their elders and their peers.

e are not holding youthful indiscretions against the twins, but it is public knowledge that the girls have had their run-ins with the law. They make no secret of their nightlife and all that goes along with that lifestyle. In these ways, the girls are not so different from many people their age. That is certainly not an endorsement of their way of life.

 comment made early in the speech caught my attention, and highlighted that clear signal about where many young people stand today. Jenna stated this about her Grandmother, Barbara: “And, if she didn’t like it, we would definitely hear about it. We already know she doesn’t like some of our clothes, or music, or most of the TV shows we watch. Ganny, we love you dearly, but you’re just not very hip. She thinks “Sex in the City” is something married people do, but never talk about.”

his part of the speech was intended to get a laugh, and many did find it humorous. However, Christians need to pause and think seriously rather than see humor in statements like hers. Jenna told us that her Grandmother Barbara had expressed concern about the dress and conduct of her granddaughters; and in return, they were mocking her as if to say, “Grandmother, your ideas are outdated. We will dress they way we want to and do what we want to do. So just get used to it.” Grandmother will never get used to it, but she will have to accept the fact that she probably cannot change her granddaughters any more than she can change the social mores of the society in which they live.

ere Grandmother Barbara’s concerns based on moral principles found in the Bible? Knowing something about our former First Lady, I would assume that she was expressing her moral concerns based in the Truth of God. But she also understood, because of her experience in public life, the need for the girls to present a wholesome public image, so as not to distract from the work their father is doing for the nation. And the fact that the girls found so much humor in their grandmother’s concerns is what ought to trouble us.

he Holy Spirit gave us the written word of God to exercise our senses to “discern both good and evil” (Heb. 5:14). Paul warned that some would turn from the Truth and thus lose their senses being taken captive in the snare of the devil to do his will (cf. 2 Tim. 2:24-26).

he Scripture says to every generation, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right” (Eph. 6:1). “Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord” (Col. 3:20). “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth” (Eph. 6:2-3).

hese commands and promises are not restricted to the relationships between children and their parents. Grandparents too should be obeyed and honored. “Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5).

hat is sad is that many young people see haughty pride and independence as virtues. Few are willing to assume a submissive role toward their parents, grandparents or their elders. It’s just not part of the pop-culture. Society praises advancement through independent thinking even in the very young. If one can make a “good argument” to justify some action taken, our world sits up, pays attention and applauds the power of human reason, with never a thought about what God has spoken.

ut if she was reasoning from the Word of God, Grandmother Barbara was right! Why? Because the Word of God is always right! “I know, O LORD, that Your judgments are right….” “Therefore all Your precepts concerning all things I consider to be right; I hate every false way” (Psa. 119:75, 128). &