SECTION A: THEMES FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT Relate to how marriage was instituted by God in the second creation story.

The second creation story (Genesis 2:4-25) presents the institution of marriage by God in a personal and relational manner. It shows how God Himself established the union of man and woman.

• God formed man first. The Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, so that man became a living being.
• God observed man's loneliness. God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him," recognising man's need for companionship.
• The animals were found unsuitable. God formed the beasts and birds and brought them to man to name, but among them no suitable helper was found for the man.
• God created woman from man. God caused a deep sleep to fall on the man, took one of his ribs, and from it made a woman, then brought her to the man.
• Man joyfully accepted her. The man said, "This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man."
• God ordained the marriage bond. "Therefore a man leaves his father and mother and cleaves to his wife, and they become one flesh."
• Their union was pure. The man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed, signifying innocence and openness.

Teaching: Marriage is a divine institution ordained by God, meant to be a permanent, intimate, monogamous union of one man and one woman as complementary partners becoming one flesh.