My Son Marries My Daughter: ...Says God

Copyright 2014 Dr. Walter Masocha.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written prior permission of the author.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are from the Holy Bible, King James Version (Authorized Version). First published in 1611. Quoted from the KJV Classic Reference Bible, Copyright © 1983 by The Zondervan Corporation.

ISBN: 978-1-4907-4165-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4907-4164-2 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4907-4163-5 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014912156

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CONTENTS

Acknowledgments

Dedication

Chapter 1: Introduction: Kingdom Relationships: The Institution Of Marriage

Chapter 2: In The Beginning: God As Marriage Officer In The Garden

Chapter 3: Courtship In Kingdom Relationships: Finding The ‘Right’ Marriage Partner

Chapter 4: Kingdom Relationships: The Wedding; Then The Marriage

Chapter 5: Kingdom Relationships: Marriage; A Journey For Two: Two-In-One

Chapter 6: Kingdom Relationships: Marriage; The Beauty And The Beast

Chapter 7: Kingdom Relationships: Marriage; Dealing With The Issues

Chapter 8: Kingdom Relationships: Occupy Till I Come

Chapter 9: In The End: Eden Restored; God As Marriage Officer In The Clouds

Chapter 10: Conclusion: It’s Official: My Son Marrries My Daughter Says GOD

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

First of all I thank the Lord God almighty, who gave me the inspiration to write this book with much reference to His written Word. Secondly, I would also like to express my special thanks and appreciation to my lovely, beautiful wife Judith, who endured my many sleepless nights and weeks away from home as I put my effort in this endeavour of writing books. I thank her for her understanding and support in many ways, including editing and in particular, prayers. She is such a blessing to me. Words fail me when it comes to thanking God for her in her role as my wife, my God-given helper. She is such a good wife – and a very good mother to our children, both physical and spiritual. I am sure many ladies find a role model in her.

Children are a blessing from the Lord. They make a home more complete. I bless God always for my eldest daughter, Sandra and her husband, my son Jeffrey. I bless God for my daughter Sharon (I trust that by God’s grace she too will join the married ranks soon), my sons Tinashe and Tafadzwa (who I believe will also get married to my spiritual daughters in the not-too distant future), my ‘adopted’ children, David and Tsungayi Caroline (Joy) – and I trust that, by God’s grace, they will also tie the knot soon. Ah, makeke nemabhonzo!

I also thank God for my son Shadreck, and his wife Gladys, my son Adolph, and his wife Anna, and my sisters who are too many to mention here – represented by Cheneso and her husband Joseph. I trust that their marriages are better today as a result of the teachings I gave them in counselling sessions and in marriage seminars. Special thanks also go to my brothers John and his wife Sofia, Andrew and his wife Mavis, Robert and his wife Agnes, Patrick and his wife Jinnah. Also to my father in law Teddy, and his wife Epiphania (representing all those connected to me by marriage). I also thank God for all my other family members; cousins, uncles, nieces, nephews, too many to mention here, who supported me in different ways. My prayer is that this book will always bless your marriages and your homes.

I extend many thanks to several of my spiritual children who helped me in different ways to make this book a success.

Last but not least, I extend my thanks to all the saints and leadership of the church Agape for All Nations Ministries International, who also encouraged me to publish my writings and messages/sermons, and also supported me through prayers.

God’s blessings to you all.

DEDICATION

I dedicate this book to my two mothers, Juliana Masocha and Conilia Luwis. I learnt a lot about marriage simply from observing you two, even after you had lost your husbands! Over the years, I received unparalleled wisdom from you both at different times and in different ways. Judith and I are husband and wife today because of you two; my superstars. The best mums ever!

Furthermore, I dedicate this book to all of my spiritual children who, by God’s Grace, I ministered to, or I am yet to minister to, by being marriage officer over the past few years, and in the years to come. If you are one of those people who heard me – or will in the future hear me – declare before God and man: ‘I now pronounce you husband and wife’, then this book is for you. Whether you are married already, or are thinking of getting married soon, let this book be a marriage manual for you to keep, and refer to as and when needed, for guidance and counsel. Your marriage is for you to enjoy!

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION: KINGDOM RELATIONSHIPS: THE INSTITUTION OF MARRIAGE

What is Marriage?

In the strict Biblical context, marriage is a formal union of a man and a woman, usually formalised by religion, and typically recognized by law, by which they become husband and wife. The Encarta English dictionary defines marriage as ‘a legally recognized relationship, established by a civil or religious ceremony, between two people who intend to live together as sexual and domestic partners’.

According to Wikipedia, ‘Marriage (also called matrimony or wedlock) is a socially or ritually recognized union or legal contract between spouses that establishes rights and obligations between them, between them and their children, and between them and their in-laws. The definition of marriage varies according to different cultures, but it is principally an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged.’

In the traditional Jewish wedding ceremony, the marriage contract is called the ‘Ketubah¹’. During the wedding ceremony, the Ketubah is read in the original Aramaic language. Consistent with the book of Genesis, the husband accepts certain marital responsibilities, such as the provision of food, shelter and clothing for his wife. He also undertakes or promises to care for her emotional needs. The Ketubah (the marriage contract) is so important that the marriage ceremony is not complete until it is signed by the groom and the bride. It is also signed by two witnesses, and considered a legally binding agreement. This demonstrates that both husband and wife see marriage as more than just a physical and emotional union, but also as a moral and legal commitment.

According to the Wikipedia definition quoted above, marriage is recognised as ‘an institution’. It is the biggest and most critical institution of all time.

Who started it?

Of course, God is the originator of the institution of marriage. He started it in the Garden of Eden. After making Adam, God realised that the man needed company. So the Bible says in Genesis 2:182:

18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

So, God decided to make a companion for the man. Check out what the Bible says in Genesis 2: 21-24:

21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;22 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

This tells us that marriage is a holy covenant before God – a covenant of flesh and bone, sealed by the blood of Jesus Christ. In the Jewish and Christian custom, God’s people sign a written agreement at the time of the marriage to seal the covenant. The marriage ceremony, therefore, is meant to be a public demonstration of a couple’s commitment to a covenant relationship. What is important is not the marriage ceremony. Rather, what matters is the couple’s covenant commitment before God and men.

Why Marriage?

You must have seen the answer to this one in the scripture quoted earlier. Just in case you missed it, here goes Genesis 2:18 again:

18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

You get it? The answer is simple, and it comes straight from the mouth of the Almighty God Himself: ‘It is not good that the man should be alone’. Yeah, it is not good! No good at all. Are you a man mature enough to marry? Why, then, are you still alone? God says it is not good for you. He must have a good reason! Do something about it. Go get yourself a wife.

As Christians, it is important to focus on the true purpose of marriage when considering the wedding ceremony. Although the details are ultimately between the married couple and God, the Biblical example encourages believers to enter into marriage in a way that honors God’s covenant relationship. This covenant relationship must submit to the laws of God first, and then to the laws of the land. It also gives public demonstration of the holy commitment that is being made. This can be carried out in a simple, private ceremony with only a few friends and family as witnesses, or a large traditional wedding, with many people invited.

Note that Jewish couples are not allowed to live together without the ‘Ketubah’. It is their marriage covenant, which for Jews symbolically represents the covenant between God and his people, Israel. See what the Bible says in Jeremiah 31:31-32:

31 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day [that] I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:

The practice in Judaism is similar to that for Christians. The marriage certificate (akin to the Ketubah) is signed by the ‘marriage officer’, the groom and the bride, and also by two witnesses. Like in Judaism, for Christians, their marriage also goes beyond the earthly covenant. It is a divine picture, or earthly visual aid, of the relationship between Jesus Christ and his bride, the Church. In essence, just like in Judaism, the Christian marriage covenant is a spiritual representation of our relationship with the Almighty God.

Key Principle: My Son Marries My Daughter

In the Kingdom of God, the key principle when it comes to dating and marrying is My Son Marries My daughter. God instructs that His children marry among themselves. This principle is not the same as incest. So please do not be horrified. Hold your horses. I shall explain.

Principles are the standard/code of conduct by which we must govern our behaviour. That means if the principle is broken, whoever breaks the principle suffers the consequences. It’s like the principle of gravity; whether you like it or not, God’s law of nature says that which must go up must come down. Scientists gave it the name ‘gravity’. No matter how anointed you are or what part of the world you are, if you speak in tongues and go on top of a hill or a tall city building, and say, ‘because I prophesy, I speak in tongues and perform miracles, I am going to jump and I won’t fall’; you will find yourself falling down, fast. You will be fortunate to escape with your life and a few limbs. Why? You cannot violate God’s principle of Mother Nature. It’s a rule, God’s law, a natural principle. You jump, you break the law, and you will be buried; unless of course they put wings on you and you operate on a glider! ☺

Do not be unequally yoked

2 Corinthians 6:14 – 18 says:

14Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord,