Marriage 102
A Suitable Helper

Scripture Reading: Genesis 2:19-22

Key Verse: Genesis 2:18

The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”

”Suitable” is an interesting word. Webster helps us understand with words such as “being fit; being acceptable; being appropriate; proper and becoming.” God’s intentions for marriage relationships are becoming clear. We are to be helpmates that are suitable, appropriate, proper, and becoming.

Though our scripture is speaking of Eve, the truths of the Bible make it clear both men and women are to be suitable helpmates to each other. Our verse starts out by revealing one of God’s opinions: it is not good for the man to be alone. God understood the beauty that would come through fellowship and companionship.

The stains of sin have diminished the marriage relationship, but through Jesus Christ we can recapture much of the original intent of God’s heart for this covenant. It is in our personal relationship with God through Christ that we as individuals can become “fit, acceptable, appropriate, proper and becoming.” In other words, God restores us as people, which allows us to become “suitable helpmates” to our spouses! God doesn’t truly fix marriages. God fixes people which, in turn, fixes much of life’s problems.

This week we are going to focus on the meaning and the “how to” of becoming “suitable helpmates.” Ask God to make you a suitable companion and let God work on your companion!

Father, I get so focused on the failures of my spouse. Please open my eyes to my own shortcomings and grant me wisdom to work on me. In Jesus’ Name, amen.