One Flesh

By: Steve LeLand

If we, when we marry, become one flesh as described by our Creator, what does that actually mean? How can the meat on our bones physically combine with another to where we become one person? Obviously, it can’t, so it has to mean something entirely different. One of the explanations that has been given for this phrase has been that when the man’s sperm combine with the woman’s egg, a new human comes forth who is a combination of each of them. The problem with this is that it doesn’t make them one with each other, only within the offspring. So while it is a partial fulfillment, it isn’t a complete one.

Another explanation is at the moment of utmost intimacy, the two bodies become as close together as is possible. That they are virtually one being at that point. But that is pretty weak; they are only in that state for a relatively small percentage of their lives. Again, a partial fulfillment but an inadequate one, in my opinion. So, I knew that there had to be an explanation; Yah doesn’t say things just to hear His voice echo.

I looked up the Greek word from which flesh had been translated, and way down at the bottom of the list of definitions was a very interesting one. “The flesh, denotes mere human nature, the earthly nature of man apart from divine influence, …” The Hebrew word used includes “flesh as frail or erring (man against God)” as one definition. Meat/muscle doesn’t err so it would more indicate man’s nature. A quick side note to show that there is another place in the NT that uses the word flesh in the same way. Do you remember the phrase…“The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak”? We all understand that it is not talking about the weakness of the muscle. Shucks, if the muscles are weak enough, you can’t even get up and go get into trouble. It is our human nature that is weak. Now that is a definition under which the phrase makes perfect sense.

The mental nature of the two is intended to become so blended that they become one in who they are, how they approach life, and the aspects of life. So, does this happen automatically? We all know that old couple that look and act like each other. But mostly it doesn’t. All too often there is enough tension in the relationship to keep it from happening. The enemy of our souls makes sure of it. He doesn’t like when things follow Yah’s plan. So why did Yah make the statement? Because it is His intention for our relationships. And it can absolutely happen.

One of the things that I have realized is that when we focus on Him, the closer that we get to Him the closer that we will be to each other. And what did Yeshua say? “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, [art] in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us…” Be careful in your choice of a life partner. Are they headed towards oneness with Yah and you, or will it be a lifetime of tension as each of you pull in a different direction?

By: Steve LeLand