On a recent trip to Honduras, I met a resident who introduced me to a beautiful red and yellow fruit. Upon closer inspection, I noticed that the “apple” portion of the fruit had a dark, hard, kidney-shaped piece protruding from the base of it.
What was this odd object? A cashew! It’s interesting that the cashew nut is actually a seed. The seed grows first on the cashew tree, then the soft, bright-colored fruit grows out from it. The seed (or nut) leads to the cashew “apple.”
This process reminds me of marriage. In Genesis 1, God created the first human beings. The account reads, “In the image of God He created them; male and female He created them” (v.27). The term “human beings” in verse 26 reads “man” in the original Hebrew. In this we see that God created Adam and Eve to reflect the fullness of “His own image” (v.27).
When Adam saw Eve he exclaimed, “This one is bone from my bone and flesh from my flesh!” (Genesis 2:23). His expression of their unity is echoed by God’s own view of marriage, “The two are united into one” (v.24).
Like the single cashew nut, the man and wife are to be one. The fruit that comes from the nut is symbolic of the fruit a man and wife will produce if they are unified. And this is more than the bearing of children (1:28).
It’s the beauty of love and compassion that we see in the relationship of Joseph and Mary (Matthew 1:19-25). It’s the synergy of ministry that we witness in the lives of Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18:1-3,24-28).
To have a marriage that glorifies God and produces fruit requires unity. A husband and wife who are one in Jesus will be fruitful.
More:
“A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” This is . . . an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one (Ephesians 5:31-32).
Next:
What does it mean for a man and wife to be one? What would it take to achieve the unity in marriage that God desires?
tony_maina on April 3, 2009 at 9:22 am
As a single man, 27, and looking forward to marrying soon, I can quickly relate to what you shared. I’m trusting the Lord “to have a marriage that glorifies” Him and one that “produces fruit.” Wonderfully written, Tom.
tom felten on April 3, 2009 at 9:52 am
Tony, I was talking to a single man yesterday about marriage. Like you, he’s looking forward to marrying and seeing God being at the center of his relationship. I told him that it’s so vital to establish godly patterns in your relationship today, for they will carry over into your marriage. Thanks for your comments!
dggabel on April 3, 2009 at 3:39 pm
Having tasted the cashew fruit, I can tell you that cashew fruits have an astringent taste – kind of bitter – but I’m told that well-ripened fruit makes an excellent wine. Hopefully the pressures of life encountered in every marriage will result over time in an equally good result.