Christians often call marriage a covenant. It’s a word that appears all through the Bible, and it says something important about how God sees a husband and wife.
What is a covenant?
In everyday life we make many agreements: contracts for phones, jobs and homes. A contract usually says, “I’ll do my part as long as you do yours.” If one side fails, the deal can end.
A covenant in the Bible is deeper. It’s a solemn, binding promise, made before God, that commits one person to another. God made covenants with Noah, Abraham, Moses and David. In Jesus, he made a new covenant with his people, sealed by his own death and resurrection.
What marks God’s covenants is faithfulness. God keeps his promises even when his people fail.
Marriage as a covenant
The prophet Malachi speaks of marriage in exactly these terms:
“The LORD was witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been faithless, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant.” Malachi 2:14 (ESV)
Notice three things:
- God is a witness to the marriage. It isn’t only a private arrangement.
- Your spouse is your companion, a partner and friend.
- Faithfulness is at the heart of it.
Jesus put it plainly:
“What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” Mark 10:9 (ESV)
How covenant changes things
It gives security. A covenant says, “I am committed to you on good days and bad days.” That safety allows both people to be honest and to grow.
It shapes how we handle failure. Because God is faithful to us when we fail, we’re called to forgive and to work at repair, rather than walk away at the first difficulty. See what forgiveness is, and what it isn’t.
It points beyond itself. The Bible describes Christ’s love for the church as the model for marriage. See reading Ephesians 5 together.
What covenant doesn’t mean
Covenant doesn’t mean staying in danger. Where there is abuse, the abusing spouse has broken the covenant, and seeking safety is right. If you’re afraid at home, call 999 in an emergency, or the free, 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.
When the covenant has been broken
Many couples come to Pastor Victor because their covenant has been broken by betrayal, neglect or distance. Restoration is possible. Pastor Victor’s devotional Covenant Restoration begins with a week on the foundation of covenant, before turning to rebuilding what was broken.
His marriage restoration programme offers confidential sessions for couples who want to try again. Engaged couples can explore the Bible’s picture of covenant in preparing for marriage.
