God Hates Divorce
Oct 2, 2007
Based on what I have heard from my parents and other people from previous generations, a divorce is an event that used to be considered shameful. It used to be something that most people would avoid if at all possible. While I’m certain that is still the case with a high percentage of the population, there are also many who see no problem with it. According to the National Center for Health Statistics (www.cdc.gov/nchs), there were 7.3 million marriages in 2006. In the same time frame, there were 3.6 million divorces (www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr55/nvsr55_20.pdf). That means there were almost half as many divorces as marriages last year. That is a very high rate of divorce and, if we are going to care about what the Bible says, then that is a very negative statistic. It is very negative because God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16). Divorce has never been pleasing to Him, even when He has allowed it in certain circumstances. According to the Law of Jesus Christ, it is even unlawful. In other words, it is a sin. Because divorce is unlawful and should not be considered a possibility when entering a marriage, it is very important that if we marry, we choose the right person and we treat them properly.
God hates divorce. Malachi 2:13-16 warns men not to deal treacherously with their wives and even goes so far as to state that “the Lord God of Israel says that He hates divorce.” Under the Mosaic Law, divorces could happen without breaking the Law. However, this did not mean that God was pleased with divorces. As recorded in Matthew 19:3-9, the Pharisees tested Jesus on divorce and His answers clear the subject up. When asked if it was lawful for a man to divorce his wife, He said that “a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh” (Matthew 19:5). He went on to say, “what God has joined together, let not man separate” (Matthew 19:6). The allowance of divorce under the Mosaic Law was not because it was ideal or desirable, but “because of the hardness of [men’s] hearts” (Matthew 19:8).
Unlike the Mosaic Law, Christ’s Law does not allow divorce. After explaining the divorce of the Mosaic Law, Jesus then said, “And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery” (Matthew 19:9). According to Jesus’ command, we may not divorce and remarry or we are guilty of adultery. The one exception is when a spouse has been unfaithful. The only other way that a marriage can lawfully end is if one of its participants dies (Romans 7:2+3, 1st Corinthians 7:39). Marriage needs to be considered a permanent relationship. The Lord’s command is to not depart from a spouse (1st Corinthians 7:10). If a separation does occur, then the spouses must either reconcile or remain unmarried (1st Corinthians 7:11).
Christ’s law on marriage is strict. If you marry the wrong person, then it may be extremely difficult to keep. That is why it is so important to marry the right person. If you are interested in being obedient to God, then why would you marry someone who is not? We are warned not to “be unequally yoked together with unbelievers” (2nd Corinthians 6:14). In addition, it is important to treat your spouse right. Men are told to “love [their] wives, just as Christ also loved the church” (Ephesians 5:25). Older women are told to “admonish the young women to love their husbands” (Titus 2:3+4). Christ’s law on marriage may be strict, but we can certainly accomplish it if we make sure to marry the right person, if we treat him or her right, and if we never forget that God hates divorce.
God hates divorce. Malachi 2:13-16 warns men not to deal treacherously with their wives and even goes so far as to state that “the Lord God of Israel says that He hates divorce.” Under the Mosaic Law, divorces could happen without breaking the Law. However, this did not mean that God was pleased with divorces. As recorded in Matthew 19:3-9, the Pharisees tested Jesus on divorce and His answers clear the subject up. When asked if it was lawful for a man to divorce his wife, He said that “a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh” (Matthew 19:5). He went on to say, “what God has joined together, let not man separate” (Matthew 19:6). The allowance of divorce under the Mosaic Law was not because it was ideal or desirable, but “because of the hardness of [men’s] hearts” (Matthew 19:8).
Unlike the Mosaic Law, Christ’s Law does not allow divorce. After explaining the divorce of the Mosaic Law, Jesus then said, “And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery” (Matthew 19:9). According to Jesus’ command, we may not divorce and remarry or we are guilty of adultery. The one exception is when a spouse has been unfaithful. The only other way that a marriage can lawfully end is if one of its participants dies (Romans 7:2+3, 1st Corinthians 7:39). Marriage needs to be considered a permanent relationship. The Lord’s command is to not depart from a spouse (1st Corinthians 7:10). If a separation does occur, then the spouses must either reconcile or remain unmarried (1st Corinthians 7:11).
Christ’s law on marriage is strict. If you marry the wrong person, then it may be extremely difficult to keep. That is why it is so important to marry the right person. If you are interested in being obedient to God, then why would you marry someone who is not? We are warned not to “be unequally yoked together with unbelievers” (2nd Corinthians 6:14). In addition, it is important to treat your spouse right. Men are told to “love [their] wives, just as Christ also loved the church” (Ephesians 5:25). Older women are told to “admonish the young women to love their husbands” (Titus 2:3+4). Christ’s law on marriage may be strict, but we can certainly accomplish it if we make sure to marry the right person, if we treat him or her right, and if we never forget that God hates divorce.