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From Eternity Past
Genesis 16:12
. In his latter days he repented and returned to his fa-
ther’s God, but the stamp of character given to his posterity remained.
The powerful nation descended from him were a turbulent, heathen
people.
The wife of Lot was a selfish, irreligious woman, and her influence
was exerted to separate her husband from Abraham. But for her, Lot
would not have remained in Sodom. The influence of his wife and the
associations of that wicked city would have led him to apostatize from
God, had it not been for the faithful instruction he had early received
from Abraham.
No one who fears God can without danger connect himself with one
who fears Him not. “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?”
Amos 3:3
. The happiness and prosperity of marriage depends upon the
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unity of the parties; but between the believer and the unbeliever there is
a radical difference of tastes, inclinations, and purposes. However pure
and correct one’s principles, the influence of an unbelieving companion
will have a tendency to lead away from God.
He who has entered marriage while unconverted is by his conver-
sion placed under stronger obligation to be faithful to his companion,
however they may differ in religious faith. Yet the claims of God
should be placed above every earthly relationship, even though trials
and persecution result. The spirit of love and fidelity may win the un-
believing one. But marriage with the ungodly is forbidden in the Bible.
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers.”
2 Corinthians
6:14, 18
.
Before One Marries
Isaac was inheritor of the promises through which the world was
to be blessed; yet when forty years of age he submitted to his father to
choose a wife for him. And the result of that marriage is a tender and
beautiful picture of domestic happiness: “Isaac brought her into his
mother Sarah’s tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and
he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.”
Young people too often feel that the bestowal of their affections is a
matter in which self alone should be consulted. They think themselves
competent to make their own choice, without the aid of their parents.
A few years of married life usually show them their error, but too