Web of Covenants

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

“Guide (companion NASB) (441a) of her youth (5271)” stirred a memory of another verse.  It didn’t take long to find it.

(Proverbs 5:18 NAS77)  Let your fountain be blessed, And rejoice in the wife of your youth.

We see a call to commitment coming from both sides.  We see a warning against wandering directed at both sides.  We are reminded that marriage is a “covenant” (1285).  Abandoning the person you married in your youth meant walking away from the covenant that you had with God.

Notice this is not a mark of patriarchal society where men can abandon their wives with a simple divorce decree.  This is not about protecting weak members of society.  This is about wilfully letting your commitments lag.  It is about destroying the most important oaths and pledges.  As Christians we are part of a community of righteousness.  There are certain promises that are not just pinky promises. 

So?  Be faithful.  Here it is to your spouse and your God.  In other places it is to your customers.  Children and neighbors are thrown into the mix.  Walking with Jesus is a total package not recommended for weekend warriors.