What does the Bible say about the horse and remarriage?

Scripture gives plenty of advice when it comes to divorce and remarriage. Those suggestions are clear, practical, and simple: they're horse sense. This animal's unique characteristics are why joining a man and wife is called "mare-age."

Life is not always stable. We're often saddled with things we didn't expect. Some wonder about remarriage because their spouse ran wild. Others are saddled with a nag, or a partner who just can't be reined in. Romantic feelings can stall. In tragic cases, a marriage might end when someone kicks the bucket. Whether the first rodeo lasted all of eight seconds, or not, it's important to consider what God wants when it comes to racing towards a new relationship.

Neigh-sayers will claim that there is no reason not to get hitched once a prior marriage is put out to pasture. That's not a good brand of advice. Marriage is a gift from God, not something to be shoed into carelessly or with blinders on. It's crucial to keep track of the mane things and not buck His purposes for our lives. Like the choice to be barn again, choosing a spouse drastically influences child-rearing, happiness, and running our spiritual race. Those principles still matter with remarriage, since God wants those pairings to lasso lifetime.

Should a person decide to pursue the horse and remarriage, there is open range for preferences. Depending on who has to pony up the costs, things can be simple or complex. Casual attire or dressage are both acceptable. The bridle party can prance up to the halter while listening to a canter, or they can just trot over to the hitching post. Guests might be corralled into groups or allowed to jockey for a good view, where the vows can be easily herd. Services can be family only, or every stud can bring his gallop for the festivities. As long as both spouses agree, there's less chance to stirrup trouble or hear someone whinny about it later on.

The horse is a great way to understand the biblical concept of remarriage. If the first mare-age didn't work out, it's crucial to paw out all the manure that stampeded into the last relationship. Without that, a new team-up is not only displeasing to God, it's probably headed for the glue factory, as well. And that's our last bit of advice.

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