Be Good!

I was thinking about what I might pass along to a young couple getting married. What might encourage them in their married lives? I did not want to be typical or trite. Marriage is far too important for such things. Then it came to me: Be good! Now that certainly does not sound as romantic as "Love each other" or as enduring as "Remain faithful," but it has importance.

Usually, when someone says to be good, it is meant as an admonition to not misbehave or embarrass, but rather keep a respectable deportment in a situation. It is the least expectation. Society does the same with peace by referring to a lack of open conflict. From a scriptural viewpoint, the true meaning goes much further.

In Exodus 33:18, Moses asked God to show his glory. God responded by promising to cause all His goodness to pass before Moses (33:19). See the picture? The glory is reflected in goodness. And what comprises that goodness? It is listed in Exodus 34:6-7:

Merciful
Gracious
Slow to anger
Abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness
Forgiving
Just

God tells Moses what it means to be good and do good by describing Himself. With these as a regular part of the marriage, blessing should be inevitable. Through it the couple demonstrates the glory that is there as God intended in the marriage union.