Marriage is a demanding and at the same time a rewarding human experience. Its demands are the expression of patience, good humor, tenderness; its rewards include good fellowship and intellectual and spiritual enrichment. A Christian Scientist learns that all good comes from God; so when he wants to see more of good in marriage, he turns to God and prays to perceive and express more of God's nature. He searches the Scriptures and the writings of Mrs. Eddy for spiritual illumination on marriage; he strives daily and hourly to put into practice what he is learning.
In early Old Testament times the thought of the patriarchs had not yet risen above a tribal concept of marriage, yet the sanctity of the home was emphasized. Individual husbands and wives, like Abraham and Sarah or Jacob and Rachel, were often loyal and considerate. Even in those primitive times, although marriage customs were different from ours, fidelity to the marriage contract was honored. Adultery was condemned by all as far back as Moses' time and a virtuous woman praised.
In later Old Testament history some of the prophets caught glimpses of a higher relationship. Isaiah said (54:5, 6), "Thy Maker is thine husband; the Lord of hosts is his name." The prophet spoke symbolically to his people, using poetic images that were familiar to them. Yet to the spiritually minded, then and now, his words may carry a deeper significance, pointing to the eternal union between God and man.
