Out Our Way: Along the Covenant Trail with Goliath

Out our way, we know that horses tend to be herd animals, staying together for safety. But we also know that very often there can be a much deeper bond - "stable or paddock mates" - that really do not feel whole apart from each other.

Goliath and Babe are like that. If I take Goliath out and leave Babe, they both start calling out to each other. When we come back, Babe is standing at the gate, ears forward, tossing her head and singing out for Goliath, who answers at once.

Word to the wise - don't don't be too close to your horse when or she lets out such a whinny, your ears will ring for a week.

I note that same attitude in folks who are really in love - especially if they have been together for some time. The bond that may have begun with infatuation is far more than that now. There is a connection that goes beyond the physical. It is truly a connection of the soul.

In Genesis is the account of the creation of Adam and Eve and in that God declares, "it is not good for the 'man' to be alone." In Hebrew the word is "Ha-Adam," which refers to the term "man" as a species and not the gender. Indeed, the term man as in human male does not exist until first God creates woman - "Isha." Only together - male - Ish - and female - Isha - do we find a true human - Ha-Adam.  

Jesus also states that it is God's Plan from the beginning that male and female shall be joined and the two once again become one. (Mark 10:6-8, Matthew 5:27-28) Clearly, that is the plan - and, as Jesus warns, woe to any won who causes the two to be parted. Hence, the commandment against adultery.

Adultery takes many forms. The most obvious to most of us is when a man or woman betrays the marriage vows with someone else. To love someone with all your heart and then find out they have been seeing someone else on the side is excruciating. But when does adultery actually begin? At the moment when one spouse cheats on the other, or does it begin before that? Jesus said it begins the moment we we even start to think about being unfaithful and, instead of rejecting and repenting of that thought, allow it to continue. We may never have to actually do anything that even appears to be unfaithful, but inside we already have begun to cheat. Jesus says that is adultery, too.

As we have seen in this study, there are two sides to every commandment. When God tells us not to commit adultery, He is also telling us to be working at loving and cherishing our spouse. Anyone who has been married for any time knows that infatuation and love are not the same thing. Infatuation is a an emotion, but love is an ongoing decision to care and act. Like kindling wood, infatuation burns hot and quickly, but it hasn't the ability to sustain fire for long. We need the kindling to get the main fire going, but we also need the solid wood that, once it catches, will burn clean and continue to burn for the whole night. Love is the good and solid fuel that has to be nurtured to keep going. Like the good campfire, it takes work, patience and, sometimes, the "smoke gets in your eyes." Infatuation is just the kindling. It goes fast, burns quick, but it cannot last unless the good wood is also being added to the flames.

Aldultery generally comes from a neglected fire that has not been nurtured or cared for. The flames are low, ore smoke than fire, and the coals are growing cold. One can do something about it, stir it up, rearrange things and start fanning it and rekindling the heat. Or, one can simply let it smolder and look for a kindling pile instead. It isn't stable, but that short blast of flame from the kindling fire looks so much easier, some folks prefer it  - and end up freezing to death alone.

--

Goliath and John Bruington know what it is to be in love and encourage all others who presently know it as well to nurture and care for the fire. It is well worth it.