Married people have to have their priority right if the marriage is to be successful! Without a proper priority the marriage relationship of husband and wife will come under pressure. We need to avoid that to take place!

The man is told to leave his parents and to cleave to his wife. This demonstrates the central focus of marriage in human affairs. If a man or a woman puts activities, things or other persons, even father or mother or their own children, in the place that God has accorded to his spouse great difficulties arise.

Since a man is to leave father and mother and cleave to his wife, we understand that the parent/child relationship (of government) is temporary and must be broken, but the husband/wife relationship is permanent, and must not be broken. Therefore divorce is always the result of sin. The relationship between parent and child is established through birth or adoption. The relationship between husband and wife is established by covenant promises.

Since the biblical description of marriage focuses on covenantal companionship and friendship, it is obvious that we must cultivate companionship and friendship in marriage. A marriage lacking in friendship is headed toward problems or divorce. All that jeopardises companionship must be avoided. Whatever promotes friendship must be cultivated!