Man/woman relationships are established in Genesis. Marriage, including sex, between one man and one woman is God’s plan. The book is replete with cases that are not one man/one woman, but I can’t think of any that did not result in pain. Love is shown as a beautiful relationship without regard to age: Young folks, Isaac/Rebecca; old folks, Abraham/Sarah.
Biblical marriages condoned marriage between family members but not between believers and unbelievers. Lots of trouble caused by Jewish men who married foreign wives; that was because of foreign wives’ influence regarding idol worship. That is not the same as marriage between races or ethnic groups in which both parties worshiped God; examples were Moses and Zipporah and Boaz and Ruth.
Sexual relations between and husband and wife is a part of God’s plan. For a glimpse of what God thinks of that, read the Song of Solomon. Do you still blush? 😀 (But I sure don’t understand why God used Solomon to write those words. He is not my example of a Godly husband! Just an example of God doing a God-thing not an Oneta-thing.)
But sometimes lust comes disguised as love. Better beware of sex used as a tool to achieve one’s desires: Judah/Tamar, Lot/daughters, Shechem/Dinah, Potiphar’s wife/Joseph, Reuben/father’s concubines, Samson/Philistine wife.
With this background regarding marriage, I want to begin a subject current to our day. Why do young people turn to violence? What can be done about it? How does that affect our need for legislation regarding gun-control and gender issues?
Sweet aroma 
Love is the greatest Ma’am. It compliments every other thing. Great post Ma’am
Thanks, Dear.
In the Bible did people get married for love or for resources?
Lander7, I believe I could give examples of both; however, the Song of Solomon certainly sounds like a marriage of love. And the fact that that gives a glimpse of what will be between Jesus, the Bridegroom, and the Church, as the Bride, is certainly love rather than resource. I think Isaac and Rebecca is a love story. Ruth and Boaz seems more resource from Ruth’s part but Boaz must have loved her. So I can’t be adamant about it but I think most are love stories. I think Solomon was mostly out to enlarge his influence and kingdom. Interesting question; thanks.
You stated — “the Song of Solomon certainly sounds like a marriage of love. ”
My response — Your response is fascinating and very Biblical. Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines, so does this mean you support marriage outside of one woman and one man as in your example? Also in the free open love of his lifestyle?