"In the beginning God created" (Ge 1:1). Jesus said "'from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female" (Mk 10:6). How long ago was the beginning? I wonder how long Adam had been alone before it was decided that being alone was not good (Ge 2:18)? Genesis 2:15 says God put Adam in the Garden of Eden to tend it. He even named the animals God brought to him (2:19). It is said that a dog is "man's best friend." But even it couldn't alleviate Adam's loneliness. When Adam was by himself God told him not to eat of certain trees (2:17). Eve was not present to hear this which may have been instrumental in her being deceived.

Jesus concludes his answer with "'they are no longer two, but one'" (Mt 19:6). Adam confirmed it saying Eve was "'bone of my bones'" (Ge 2:23). Hebrews 4:12 says God's word divides between the soul and spirit as if separating the joints and marrow. The marrow is the life-producing part in the innermost area of the bone. Therefore they shared the gift of life. Malachi said "Have we not all one Father? Did not God create us" (Mal 2:10)? "Has not the Lord made them one? In flesh and spirit they are his" (2:15).

Jesus continues saying, "'Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate'" (Mt 19:6). What is now one due to God's work should not be undone. There is a sense that you cannot destroy something that God has created to be permanent. Genesis 2:24 says that a man leaves his father and mother. God had removed the rib from man (:22) and with it created the woman and Adam was to be "joined to his wife" (:24). Life is propagated by an unbroken leaving and uniting process.

The answer was immediately understood by the Pharisees. Their reply was to ask why then was Moses permitted to approve the use of the divorce certificate in the first place (Mt 19:7)? Why does it seem more difficult for us to understand today? It's because their advantage is that they were raised in Jewish society. Jesus was speaking to them as Paul "spoke to them who knew the law" (Ro 7:1). Jesus had only offered a few quotes but they knew what it meant.