Perhaps one of the greatest tragedies of our day within the ecclesial circle is this ever increasing problem of mixed marriages. It is hard for us to understand why this problem should continue to face us, when through His word God emphatically forbids marriage with the unbeliever. While there are many scriptural passages denouncing this sin we quote only two which we feel are strong enough to convince the honest and God-fearing. 2 Cor. 6:14-15 “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers ; for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness and what communion hath light with darkness ?” Do we need to emphasise this verse ? Does it not speak for itself. Now look at Deut. 7:2-3 “Thou shalt make no covenant with them — neither shalt thou make marriages with them ; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt not take unto thy son. For they will turn away thy son from following me.” This is wisdom from God.
Let us consider a few of the problems. The believer cannot be truly honest in his associations if he is to be true to his love for his God. We go part way, do things which we know we should not, and forsake many things we know we should do, in order to start our task of winning the unbeliever. This may prove satisfactory in our own mind at the start, but later on our natural affection can and often does outgrow our spiritual affection. Giving a little here, and a little there, and finally the best that can be salvaged is a feeble compromise. We will settle the matter later we promise ourselves. This becomes more difficult, because our earnest prayers are hindered, for how can we ask God’s help in something He forbids?
The young brother or sister who finally loses the battle, and, through weakness and disregard of God’s laws becomes unequally yoked with an unbeliever, finds a high wall separating them. They begin to serve two masters. We hear it said that we will change them later on, but how often this has proven the reverse. God never intended it should be this way, His blessing surely cannot rest upon such intentions. No one really appreciates being made over even in small things, so the matter can become a life of embittered feelings, frustration, and giving in on the part of the son or daughter of God.
What then of the children born in these circumstances? How can the love and goodness of God be shown to children, when one parent has no regard for, or even worse, complete rejection of God’s holy word. To raise children in the fear and love of God, is the privilege and God-given heritage of every brother and sister who marries in the Lord. Let us then consider carefully the future of these children, before we take the most vital step in our natural life.
Let us consider also the reaction such marriages can have on our ecclesial life. Think of the sorrow shared by those who have faithfully taught us from our youth. Think of the example to those who, younger than ourselves, look to us for guidance, and may be tempted to fall into the same sin.
Surely we have many examples from God’s word to deter us from making this tragic mistake. What turned Solomon away ? Moabitish women. What of the Record in Ezra 10? Ezra “..confessed, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God” “Now therefore let us make a covenant with our God to put away all the wives, and such as are born of them according to the counsel of my lord, and of those that tremble at the commandment of our God.” Surely, if it were not important, God would not require such drastic action as this.
The path of wisdom, then, is plainly laid out for us in the words of our God, for all of us, young and old, to prayerfully consider before we fall into this grievous error. “Neither shalt thou make marriages with them, for they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other Gods ; so will the anger of the Lord be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly.”
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One