Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. 28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion".....
This passage of scripture teaches us that men and women are creatures of dominion, for it is etched into our very genetic makeup, and therefore seeks to be exercised and implemented whenever and wherever the situation warrants it. In these verses we see where God gave to Adam and Eve dominion over all the earth, and even though they fell into sin, this desire for dominion surfaces in almost every living person. We seek to have our own space where we can manage things according to the intelligence God has given us. We put up fences to ensure that our space is not invaded or encroached upon, and in the secular world, CEOs seek to have dominion in various business lines, and in the process, the big fish eat up the small fish through a method we describe as "Hostile takeover bids".
The same desire for dominion or control over one's space, surroundings, or personal property, comes to the surface in the marriage relation, for in the ideal situation, the husband loves his wife with a godly jealousy, and the wife also loves her husband with a deep sense of ownership that is not to be interfered with, or encroached upon for any reason. When Sarah saw that she was barren, she made a suggestion to Abraham her husband, that he go outside the God-given parameters and have sexual intercourse with Hagar, her maid, so that the children thus born would become theirs, according to the prevailing laws of the land back then.
But after Hagar became pregnant, she began to flaunt her new found liberty, and despised Sarah, who then retorted by evicting her from their household. The reason for Sarah's anger is that her rightful domain was violated, even though it was with her consent, and therefore she would not brook the attitude of superiority and ownership that Hagar was now displaying towards her and her husband respectively. So when the situation came to a head, poor father Abraham who was caught in the cross-hairs went to God in prayer, and the answer he received is to be carefully observed, for it speaks volumes to the sacredness of the marriage institution, and the godly jealousy which should exist within the relationship. Let's read:
Genesis 21:9 And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, mocking. 10 Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac. 11 And the thing was very grievous in Abraham's sight because of his son. 12 And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice"....
The sin of adultery, in which the private space of a man or woman is invaded for any reason, is a very serious crime in the sight of God, for it not only interferes with the sacred marriage institution, but it also disturbs the essential foundation building blocks of society, and thus, whenever or wherever this sin is encouraged or countenanced, the baleful effects of broken homes and hearts are to be seen and felt for many future generations. Furthermore, it often incites anger and extreme violence on the part of the man, when he discovers that his domain is invaded. This statement is not a figment of anyone's imagination, but is instead confirmed by both fact and scripture alike. Let's read:
Proverbs 6:32 But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul. 33 A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away. 34 For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance. 35 He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.
As Christians, it is our God-given privilege and sacred duty, to protect the marriage institution in our personal lives by guarding with godly jealousy our own domain, seeking by the grace of God to ensure a tightly knit bond of unity between husband and wife, for when this is done we will just be following in the footsteps of God Himself, who loves us with a Godly jealousy. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which confirms this sacred truth, and it is the will of God that our domain remain pure and undefiled, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, amongst whom we are to shine as lights in the world. Let's read:
Exodus 34:12 Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee: 14 For thou shalt worship no other god: for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study and practice of His every word. God bless!