Content with God's Provision

"Marriage is honourable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge. ⁵ Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

Hebrews 13:4-5

These verses came up in our Friday night Bible study yesterday, and they provide insight how covetousness can mar relationships with God and others.  The writer of Hebrews commends the honour of biblical marriage as defined by God from the beginning.  Fornicators and adulterers are those who scoff at His marital and monogamous design through their sexual misconduct.  One involves sexual activity outside of the marriage bed, and adultery is lust and unlawful conduct involving a married party.  Though the world pushes back against the boundaries God has set concerning sexual sin, God remains their righteous judge.

This passage shows at the core of both fornication and adultery is the sin of covetousness.  To covet is to desire something which is not yours for self.  Fornication and adultery also involve theft.  When it comes to relationships, contentment in God's provision is a guard against covetousness.  The world it seems has defined sex as a basic human need, a need that should not be denied of any who desire it.  This is certainly not the biblical perspective.  In the scriptures there are myriads of examples of people going their own way in violation of God's commands, but this does not lend any leeway to God's absolute standards.  If we are convinced God will provide for all our needs, He also will provide a spouse and the ability to remain joyfully single according to His grace.  It is a lie that we cannot live a meaningful and satisfying existence without sex.  Sexual intercourse can usher in new life because God is at the heart of "be fruitful and multiply," but sex is not life.

Because Jesus has promised never to leave or forsake us, we can be assured He knows our needs and will be faithful to meet them.  He is the Good Shepherd who keeps watch over the sheep of His flock.  He knows how to manage well His lambs, ewes, rams, and even wethers - which are castrated males.  They are less aggressive and able to lead a most profitable existence, not by siring lambs but through wool production and weed management.  The world has always had a preoccupation with sex, and as wonderful as it is in the marriage relationship there is much more to life.  It is in staying close to the Good Shepherd we discover purpose and fruitfulness which extends infinitely beyond the abilities of the flesh.  1 Corinthians 7:27 holds forth a basic principle:  "Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be loosed. Are you loosed from a wife? Do not seek a wife."  Even in our relationships (or present lack) we have fellowship with God and His people united by His love.  It's a fair question:  do we value fellowship with God more than sex?