And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed. Genesis 2:25
Upon reading this verse, many people’s minds go straight to the physical realm. So, we will mention that briefly, then move on, as much can and is already said on this elsewhere. Before Adam and Eve sinned, Yehovah placed them in the Garden of Eden, where they lived together as naked as the day they were created. Of course, pre-fall there was no rain and no thorns, so we assume no problem in terms of the weather or being injured. It appears from scripture that no one else was on the scene, so nobody else to be embarrassed in front of. Neither were there others around to compare their looks and physiques with or to be shamed by.
However, in the context of marriage, we learn an important lesson from this verse. We know Yehovah intends a husband and wife to be united in both heart and mind as well as physically. Marriage is a process, not merely an event which happens on a single day. The outworking of that day’s vows involves a lifetime of choosing to live every day with grace, longsuffering, forgiveness, gratitude, appreciation and many other things. While we live in a physical, earthly realm, although our spirits have been perfected through Yeshua’s death, burial and resurrection, our minds need to be renewed daily and our bodies continually presented to Yehovah as a living sacrifice. This side of heaven we do and will sin against Yehovah and each another. We are told to confess our faults and failures one to another and pray for one another so that we may be healed (James 5:16). We know we need to operate in grace and to restore one another in meekness, because we too are tempted and often fall. (See Galatians 6:1). If there is one place on earth that we should be willing to forgive and be assured of forgiveness and acceptance, it should be between a husband and wife who love one another, indeed, even as Yeshua loves His church and gave Himself for it. The marriage union is intended to provide a safe place where both husband and wife can be totally open, honest and, in deep humility, emotionally naked and unashamed before each other.