We know now that the most important dimension of manhood is that he lives in a relationship with God. However, a man of God does not live in isolation. He lives in community with others. Each of the relationships which he has is unique and makes specific demands on him. Over the next few days we’ll look at what the Bible says about the relationships in which a man who is in a relationship with God finds himself.

Firstly, he is a husband to his wife. He and his wife are companions.

Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to live alone. I will make a suitable companion to help him.” Genesis 2: 18

From the stories of Isaac and Jacob we learn that the man must love his wife. Then Isaac brought Rebecca into the tent that his mother Sarah had lived in, and she became his wife. Isaac loved Rebecca, and so he was comforted for the loss of his mother. Genesis 24:67

Jacob worked seven years so that he could have Rachel, and the time seemed like only a few days to him, because he loved her. Genesis 29:20

In the Bible book, Song of Songs, Solomon describes the love relationship between husband and wife.  To him, his wife is the most beautiful woman (Song of Songs 2:2), he admires and compliments her (Song of Songs 1:15) and he enjoys intimacy with his wife. (Song of Songs 7: 6-8a).

In the New Testament Paul gives advice on marriage. He emphasises that because of the dangers of immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband and that the husband and wife should fulfil each other's sexual needs. Read 1 Corinthians 7: 2-5

To the man who is a child of God, Christ's self-sacrificing love and faithfulness to his church is an example to which he strives in his marriage. He is faithful to his wife.

usbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave his life for it. Ephesians 5:25

Unfortunately, nothing in this life is perfect, and perhaps he is divorced. Although different things can separate people from each other, there is nothing that can separate us from God's love:

Who will accuse God’s chosen people? God himself declares them not guilty! Who, then, will condemn them? Not Christ Jesus, who died, or rather, who was raised to life and is at the right-hand side of God, pleading with him for us! Who, then, can separate us from the love of Christ? Romans 8:33-35a

Can you say: I am he?

Prayer: Lord, thank you for my partner. May I never take this relationship for granted. Help me to treat her each day the way you teach me in your Word. Amen