4 January | Youth
«Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.» Genesis 2:24
The anglerfish is a saltwater fish that lives at a depth of around three hundred meters. There are 168 known species of this fish on the planet, all very exotic, with a large head and a flat body. The female can be up to sixty times larger than the male, and the male, in turn, is much more sensitive. When it reaches adulthood, the male develops some digestive problems that prevent it from eating alone. Then, it uses its small teeth to attach himself to the female, extracting nutrients from her to survive. Thus, the two merge and become “one fish,” forming a union that remains until death!
I know this illustration is not attractive, but it vaguely illustrates the concept of union between a man and a woman presented in Genesis 2:24. This union comes into effect in the sexual act, which is the “superglue” of the marital relationship. Regarding this alliance, the apostle Paul comments: “Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For “the two,” He says, “shall become one flesh” (1 Cor. 6:16).
When a man and a woman have sexual relations, a hormone called oxytocin is released into the blood-stream. This hormone is associated with our ability to maintain interpersonal relationships and bonds of love. Oxytocin is also associated with the emotional bond between mother and child during birth and breastfeeding.
In Genesis 2:24, it is also noted that the verb “joined” comes from the Hebrew word davaq, which means “to adhere” or “to glue.” God instituted sex within marriage to promote the union between husband and wife. Of course, this does not only involve physical and chemical components, but also encompasses emotional and spiritual aspects. It is a sacred covenant that must not be broken or trivialized, as the seventh commandment warns, “You shall not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14).
Therefore, save your intimacy for the right time, with the right person. It is better to stick with the “fish” that the Lord has caught for you than to “swim” in search of other things in the sea. And if you face difficulties in your marriage, fight for it. After all, what God “glued together” no one in the world should separate.