Faithfulness

(Proverbs 2:17 KJV)  Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God.

Here in the midst of a discussion of adultery we find a phrase that reminds us about a quality of marriage.  In this verse it comes from the perspective of the wife and the “guide” (companion
NASB) (441a) of her “youth” (5271).  In Proverbs 5:18 and Malachi 2:14 it comes from the man’s perspective.  The picture is portrayed in the musical “Fiddler on the Roof” when Tevye and Golde, sending their children off into a new world that talks of love, “Do you love me?”

How do they decide that they love each other?  Because they had lived together and cared for each other and served each other though the years.  They were faithful to the companion of their youth.  Marriage is a life long commitment.  It is based on years of common experience, struggle, pain, joy and laughter.

So?  Marriage is a “covenant” (1285).  It is for life.  That is part of what some deride as “middle class morality” that is based in the word of God.