There are a couple of biblical doctrines that seem to be unclear or are cause for confusion:  Submission and Leaving & Cleaving.  Both are topics near and dear to my heart and we will explore both in the coming months.

Let us begin with Leaving & Cleaving, first mentioned in Genesis 2:24.  I always find it interesting that a) there we NO PARENTS when God gave this decree and b) the events that happen immediately after this decree.   Immediately following, we find the serpent introducing original sin into humankind.

The bible teaches that God made woman specifically for the man, because it was not good for him to be alone.  Not only this, she was formed directly from the man.  She is the ONLY creature that was created this way!  It is upon presentation of the woman to the man that God gives this admonition to leave & cleave.  There is a specific reason & purpose for every decree/admonition of the Lord, and therefore there is a consequence for failure around each.  The admonition to leave & cleave suggests that there is some consequence or jeopardy to the marriage itself if this is not observed.  It struck me when I first studied this topic and it still strikes me as significant today, that the very next event is the original sin of humanity and the ultimate consequence that resulted from it.

Take a look at the following article:

How Do You Balance Leaving & Cleaving with Honoring Parents

Discussion Questions

1.  Have you or someone you know found trouble in balancing these two principles?

2.  Do you agree or disagree with the articles points?  Explain.

3. Did you learn anything from the article that you didn’t know before, or perhaps a fresh perspective that you had not considered previously?

4. Can you think of a time when this arose in your marriage? How was it handled? Would you change anything in retrospect or hope for any changes?

We invite your comments and questions.