This post is Day 28 in a series of studies about “Separation”. I strongly suggest you begin with the introduction to this study, please click here to read it.

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Separation – Day 28

This verse in Mark also speaks of what God has joined. Sadly, across our world today there are many marriages that God has not put together, but that happen because of family contracts, or because of a physical attraction that does not go deep enough to last through difficult years.

Mark 10:9

Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.

The Thought

The same verse as yesterday in another gospel, can make us believe it is important. We have looked at many verses where God separates, and many where He forbids separation. The important thing in this verse, as we read it in the second gospel, is that man must not separate. It is a reference to the 10th commandment: Exodus 20:17 You shall not covet your neighbour’s house. You shall not covet your neighbour’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbour.

There would be many more happy marriages if “man did not covet”. That goes for women too!

This verse also speaks of “what God has joined”. Sadly, across our world today there are many marriages that God has not put together, but that happen because of family contracts, or because of physical attraction that doesn’t go deep enough to last through difficult years.

It is tragic that most human beings have a tendency to want what others have, or want something that is not available to be taken. Children want toys that friends are playing with, teenagers want to wear the latest fashions and have the latest technology, to be like their friends, while many adults crave more money to buy more things, in order to be the same as everyone they know.

All that goes back to Eve who couldn’t resist the temptation by the serpent. That serpent is still active in our world today and we must separate ourselves from him.

Action

Pray for situations where you know God’s commandments are not kept.

Pray for the people around you to be able to recognise the enemy at work and to resist all temptation.

Praise God again for the consistency of His plans as revealed in His word.

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