FORBIDDEN MARRIAGES by A. S. Hutchins

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 20, 1862

FORBIDDEN MARRIAGES.

By A. S. Hutchins

“NEITHER shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto his son.” Deut. vii, 3. Thus strictly were the children of Israel forbidden to form matrimonial relations with the nations around them, when God should bring them into the land of promise.

The reason for this prohibition, is as plainly stated: “For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods; so will the anger of the Lord be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly.” Deut. vii, 4.

The sad consequences growing out of a departure from this restriction, in marriage connections, is further set forth in the last exhortation of Joshua before his death: “Know for a certainty that the Lord your God will no more drive out any of these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which, the Lord your God hath given you.” Judg. iii, 5-8. Read also Ezra ix.

Bearing these facts in mind, were the New

ment silent on this important subject, it would become the Christian to move with the greatest caution, in the formation of the marriage alliance. He should beware with whom this close and permanent union is formed, lest he share in that repentance which is "too soon and too late."

"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers." If it be objected that this instruction was not written with reference to this subject, it certainly may be used with profit here. Peter informs us that the husband and wife should walk, "as being heirs together of the grace of life." 1 Pet. iii, 7. "How can two walk together except they be agreed?" Paul has introduced the case of the believing widow (though the rule must of course extend to all). "She is," says he, "at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord." 1 Cor. vii, 39. Mark the restriction, "only in the Lord."

We can pity and pray for those among us who have wandered from the Lord, and formed this union for life with the unbeliever. Be careful lest your heart be turned from the Lord, and you lose the bright crown of glory and the peaceful home of the blest. To others tempted to move thus, we would affectionately say, Beware! Satan may be plotting your ruin. In these forbidden alliances, it is far more to be feared that the believing companion will sink under the influence of the unbeliever, than to be expected that the unbeliever will be reformed by the believer. "Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." A. S. HUTCHINS. Barton Landing, Vt., May 1, 1862.