Marriage: From the Mind of God

Marriage was not first conceived in human imagination, but in the eternal mind of God. Long before Adam and Eve, before Israel, and even before creation itself, God had in view a union that would reflect His own character and purpose. In this series, Brother Mark Giordano explores Hosea’s words, “I will betroth thee unto me forever,” showing how the divine pattern of marriage—rooted in righteousness, justice, lovingkindness, mercy, and faithfulness—provides not only guidance for husbands and wives but also insight into God’s covenant with His people and the coming marriage of the Lamb.

I Will Betroth Thee Unto Me Forever

The opening class sets the foundation by showing that marriage is eternal in God’s plan. Far beyond human arrangements, it is meant to reflect the everlasting relationship between God and His people. This study emphasizes the permanence of marriage and the oneness of spirit that God intends, contrasting divine purpose with the shallow definitions of the world.

I Will Betroth Thee Unto Me in Righteousness

Here the focus is on righteousness as the first pillar of marriage. God’s standard is not based on cultural ideals but on His own holiness. The lesson highlights how true marriage must rest on moral and doctrinal integrity, pointing couples to lives rooted in God’s word and shaped by His righteousness.

I Will Betroth Thee Unto Me in Judgment

This class explores judgment, or covenant law, as essential to marriage. God’s betrothal involves binding promises, formal commitments, and responsibilities. Just as Israel was bound by covenant, so too marriage requires vows that establish accountability and structure. The study warns against lawlessness and moral relativism, stressing the security that comes through God’s righteous boundaries.

I Will Betroth Thee Unto Me in Lovingkindness

Moving from words to deeds, this class examines lovingkindness as expressed in daily acts of care. God’s love is practical, proven in deliverance and mercy, and so too love in marriage must be demonstrated by selfless actions. Through personal testimony and scriptural examples, the lesson shows that kindness transforms relationships and makes God’s love tangible.

I Will Betroth Thee Unto Me in Mercies

This study reflects on mercy as the protective care that sustains life. Just as a child is nurtured in the womb, so God surrounds His people with mercy. The lesson calls couples to extend forgiveness and compassion to one another, while also cautioning against misusing mercy as an excuse for sin. God’s mercy never compromises His righteousness, and neither should ours.

I Will Betroth Thee Unto Me in Faithfulness

The series concludes with faithfulness, the enduring quality that secures marriage through every trial. God’s faithfulness is absolute, His covenant unbreakable. In the same way, husbands and wives are called to reflect steadfast loyalty, trust, and perseverance. The exhortation reminds believers that God’s promises will never fail, and urges them to mirror that constancy in their own relationships.

This description has been generated by AI and lightly edited.