Divorce And Remarriage

Tod had left his wife and children for another woman, but Linda, his wife, refused him a divorce. She said that she still loved him and that he could still love her. One morning, after a night of empty sex and not much sleep, he drove to their house and saw his wife through the w … More

Divorce

It is commanded to be faithful in marriage (v. 27). Just as Jesus says anger is the same as murder in the previous passage, He now makes it plain that lusting for a person sexually is as sinful as committing the act of adultery (v. 28). The, so called “exception clause” is the term which many have used from the words of Christ in (Matt. 5:32) and (Mat­t. 19:9) as it pertains to divorce. These Pharisees had challenged Jesus on the teaching of (Duet. 24:1-4) where God gave Moses permission to grant a certificate of divorce because of the hardness of their hearts. During Jesus’ time here on earth divorce had become so easy that man could dismiss his wife for such trivial things as burning his meal or embarrassing him in front of his friends. All he had to do was say “I divorce you” three times and the divorce was consummated. If you eye causes you to sin poke it out (v. 29) or if you hand causes you to sin chop it off (v. 30). It is better to lose one part than your whole body.

 In His response the Lord taught that marriage is viewed by God as indissoluble and should not be terminated by divorce papers (v. 31). In order to understand the Biblical teaching on divorce we also need to take into account (Mark 10:2-12), (Luke 16:8) and (I Cor.7:10-11). Without exception, divorce is a product of sin and God hates it (Mal. 2:16). However, He never hates the divorcee but loves them just like He does all sinners (Rom. 3:8). He never commands it, endorses it or blesses it. Jesus’ whole point in (v. 32) is that divorce leads to adultery. Remarriage after divorce leads to a whole chain of illegitimate and adulterous relationships for all parties involved. Very few practices match divorce in the detrimental effects it has on children and other members of the family.

Application

How does this Scripture compare to the “no fault” divorce laws that many states now have?  It would be good for me to write a letter to my state legislators asking them to take whatever steps they can to design legislation which will strengthen marriages and not weaken them.

Matthew 5:27-32 (English Standard Version)


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