Genesis 2:24 Commentary - Dr Peter Masters

Navigator

Genesis 2:24

Comments

‘Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother.’ Who says these words? Adam’s words must finish at the end of verse 23. Unless he is functioning as a prophet he cannot really say verse 24, because fathers and mothers have not happened yet, let alone the leaving of fathers and mothers. This is Moses. These are the inspired words of Moses. An application is inserted into the narrative. ‘Therefore’, says Moses, ‘shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh’, one in understanding and sharing and so on. This is instruction for the human race for all time; it was intended by God to be a pattern for all generations, for the union of marriage is at the heart of human society. God made the union of marriage what it would be for all married couples. Adam’s need would also be the needs of other men who came after him. Only by the special gift of God would a man be able to remain unmarried in order to serve God, and that gift would not be given to all men.Marriage consists in a man and a woman (and none other) coming together in a life-long union. They are joined together by God, and therefore the marriage union cannot be broken without subverting the work of God.

Application

Of course Moses, writing after the fall, is directing that we should never behave as though the bond between parent and child is greater than the bond between husband and wife. Yet some do. Some parents, or fathers or mothers, one of the two, try to intrude into and dominate the marital union of their children, and the direction of Moses and the inspired conclusion from all that is said is this: No, when God brings together a man and a woman, that relationship is more important than the duty between parents and children. A new union, a new unit has been created by God as husband and wife come together, and parents back off and do not interfere. They give advice of course. It will be politely listened to and honoured, but there is now a new relationship. Yet there are some cultures – and it used to be like this in England years ago; we see it in the books – where the family council can be convened and decisions imposed upon the married couple by the parental generation. No, that is quite wrong biblically, and it should not be.

Questions

Outline

Purpose

Introduction

Genesis 2:24 Commentary and Bible Study