Chapter 9—Forbidden Marriages
Marriage of Christians With Unbelievers—There is in the
Christian world an astonishing, alarming indifference to the teaching
of God’s word in regard to the marriage of Christians with unbelievers.
Many who profess to love and fear God choose to follow the bent of
their own minds rather than take counsel of Infinite Wisdom. In a
matter which vitally concerns the happiness and well-being of both
parties for this world and the next, reason, judgment, and the fear
of God are set aside; and blind impulse, stubborn determination are
allowed to control.
Men and women who are otherwise sensible and conscientious
close their ears to counsel; they are deaf to the appeals and entreaties
of friends and kindred and of the servants of God. The expression of a
caution or warning is regarded as impertinent meddling, and the friend
who is faithful enough to utter a remonstrance is treated as an enemy.
All this is as Satan would have it. He weaves his spell about the soul,
and it becomes bewitched, infatuated. Reason lets fall the reins of
self-control upon the neck of lust; unsanctified passion bears sway,
until, too late, the victim awakens to a life of misery and bondage. This
is not a picture drawn by the imagination, but a recital of facts. God’s
sanction is not given to unions which He has expressly forbidden
God’s Commands Are Plain—The Lord commanded ancient Is-
rael not to intermarry with the idolatrous nations around them: “Nei-
ther shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not
give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son.” The
[62]
reason is given. Infinite Wisdom, foreseeing the result of such unions,
declares: “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.” “For thou art an holy people
unto the Lord thy God: the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a
special people unto Himself, above all people that are upon the face of
the earth.” ...
1
Testimonies For The Church 5, 365, 366
.
41