WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO CLEAVE?
Part 2

“Draw me, we will run after thee . . .”
(Song of Songs 1:4).

Now that we have learned how important it is to leave, we must discover what it truly means to cleave. This Hebrew word dabaq is translated by 10 different English words in the King James Bible. As we look at each one, we come to a greater understanding of how to cleave.

1.     CLEAVE

This is the word that is used in the King James Bible in Genesis 2:24. It means “to cling to, to adhere to, to be stuck to, to hold fast, and to be joined.” Most modern translations used the word “united” which I don’t think is as strong as cleave.

            I love the quote of John Piper who wrote: “There has never been a generation whose view of marriage is high enough.” I believe this is true. I don’t think any of us understand the fullness  and glory of God’s estimate of marriage. God speaks of being married to Israel and uses “cleave” to reveal this relationship between Him and His people Israel, and in the New Testament of Christ and His bride, the church.

            Let’s look at some Old Testament Scriptures. As you read them, relate the words to your marriage.

            Deuteronomy 10:20: “Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave.” Read also Deuteronomy 11:21, 22 and 30:19, 20.

            Deuteronomy 13:4: “Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.” Go back and read this Scripture again. Did you notice six things God wants us to do toward Him?

            Notice six things again in Joshua 20:5: “But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law . . . to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.” Did you count six?

             Jeremiah 13:11 tells us: “For as the girdle cleaveth to the loins of a man, so have I caused to cleave unto me the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah, saith the LORD; that they might be unto me for a people, and for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory.” This is the relationship God wanted with His people Israel. This is the relationship God wants us to have in our marriage. When we cleave to one another in marriage, we reveal the picture of our relationship with God and Christ. And when we live this lifestyle, our marriages will be a praise and glory to God in this world.

2.     OVERTOOK

Judges 18:22 tells how the Israelites pursued the Benjaminites and “overtook” them in the battle. How did they overtake them? They had to chase after them. I can’t imagine them idling along as though they were out for a Sunday School picnic. They chased after them with every ounce of their strength. Now ladies, this is the same word that is used for our marriage relationship.

            We are to chase after our husbands with love, kindness, and ministering help to them.

3.     PURSUED

We read this word again in the battle of Benjamin and the rest of Israel. Judges 20:45 tells us that they “pursued hard after them.” That day they killed 25,000 Benjaminites that were all men of valor.

4.     FOLLOWED HARD

This is the third word for dabaq that is used in the context of battle.

            1 Samuel; 14:22 tells how the men of Israel “followed hard” after the Philistines in battle and defeated them.    

            1 Samuel 31:2; 2 Samuel 1:6; and 1 Chronicles 10:2 tell the sad story of how the Philistines “followed hard upon Saul and upon his sons.” This time the Israelites were defeated, and Saul and his three sons were killed.

            David, who was one of the greatest warriors of all time used the same analogy of chasing the enemy for his passion for chasing after God. In Psalm 63:8 he says: “My soul followeth hard after thee.”

Are you getting the picture of what it really mans to cleave? It is not a casual thing. When warriors “follow hard” after the enemy, they exert every ounce of their physical strength and mental concentration. Their adrenaline pumps. The sweat pours off them. They are not thinking of another thing except to defeat the enemy.

            We learn two things from these words. Firstly, we must be vigilant in pursuing the devil and his cohorts who want to bring down and defeat our marriages. The devil hates marriage. He wants to break up your marriage. But you must be alert. Pounce on any suggestion the enemy brings to your mind to weaken your marriage. Go hard after the enemy and kick him out.

            1 Peter 5:8 says: “Be sober, be vigilant; be because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist steadfast in the faith . . .”

            Secondly, on the positive side, we must “follow hard” after our spouse. Do you notice that it doesn’t say to follow, but to follow hard? Does your love feel a little cold in your marriage? Chase after your husband with love and devotion. Think of new and creative ways to show your love to him. Exert every bit of your physical and mental strength. Pursue him like a warrior in battle.

PRAYER:

“Oh God, I am sorry for taking my marriage lightly. Please help me to understand how You see marriage. Please help me and show me how to chase after my husband with tangible ways of loving him. Amen.”

AFFIRMATION:

I am not settling for an average marriage. I’m pursuing my husband with all my mind and strength.