Divorce and the Bible: Understanding God's View

Divorce is a solemn matter, and the Bible provides clear guidance on it. Our compassionate God desires for marriage to be a lifelong union, as it was established from the very beginning of creation. However, due to the hardness of human hearts, concessions were made, but these were never God's original intent.

Let's explore what the Bible reveals about divorce:

🕊️ God's Original Design for Marriage

From the dawn of creation, God instituted marriage as a sacred and indissoluble bond. When the Pharisees questioned Jesus about divorce, He pointed them back to the beginning:

• One Flesh Union: "And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." Matthew 19:4-6 This beautiful passage highlights that God's intention is for a man and woman to become one in marriage, a unity that man should not break.

• God Hates Divorce: The Lord, the God of Israel, unequivocally states His aversion to divorce: "For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously." Malachi 2:16 This reveals God's heart for faithfulness and covenant keeping in marriage.

💔 The Sole Scriptural Ground for Divorce

While God's ideal is a lifelong union, the Bible does address situations where divorce is permissible, but only under very specific circumstances:

• Adultery as the Exception: Jesus Himself clarified the grounds for divorce, stating, "But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery." Matthew 5:32 He repeated this truth, saying, "And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery." Matthew 19:9 This teaches us that unfaithfulness to the marriage vow is the only Scriptural reason that can free a husband or wife from their marriage vow in God's sight.

• Remaining Unmarried or Reconciling: For other reasons of separation, the Bible provides clear counsel: "And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife." 1 Corinthians 7:10-11 This underscores the importance of seeking reconciliation or remaining unmarried if a separation occurs on grounds other than adultery.

🙏 Moses and the Hardness of Hearts

The allowance for divorce in Old Testament times, even for trivial offenses, was a concession due to the prevalent hardness of hearts, not God's original design:

• A Concession, Not a Command: When asked why Moses commanded a bill of divorcement, Jesus replied, "Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so." Matthew 19:8+1 This highlights that the Mosaic law on divorce was a tolerance for human failings, not an endorsement of frequent or casual divorce.

• Protection for the Divorced Woman: The bill of divorcement, mentioned in Deuteronomy 24:1-4 was also a measure to protect the woman, allowing her to remarry and providing a formal record of the separation.

📜 Impact of Divorce and Remarriage

The Bible warns against the consequences of unscriptural divorce and remarriage:

• Committing Adultery: Jesus stated plainly that "Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery." Luke 16:18 This emphasizes that marriage, in God's eyes, persists unless broken by the specific sin of adultery.

• Remaining Married in God's Sight: Even if legal divorce is obtained through human laws, in God's sight, if the grounds are not adultery, the individuals may still be considered married: "A woman may be legally divorced from her husband by the laws of the land, and yet not divorced in the sight of God and according to the higher law. There is only one sin, which is adultery, which can place the husband or wife in a position where they can be free from the marriage vow in the sight of God. Although the laws of the land may grant a divorce, yet they are husband and wife still in the Bible light, according to the laws of God." Romans 7:3

🌍 Warnings for the Last Days

The Bible describes a concerning increase in divorce and unfaithfulness in the last days:

• Like the Days of Noah: Jesus warned that the days leading up to His return would be characterized by a disregard for sacred institutions, including marriage: "But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." Matthew 24:37-39+1 This includes the rampant divorce and remarriage seen in society.

💖 A Call to Holiness and Loyalty

The Bible consistently calls us to live lives that reflect God's holy character, especially within the sacred bond of marriage:

• Purity of Heart: Jesus expanded on the commandment against adultery, stating, "But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart." Matthew 5:28 This emphasizes the importance of internal purity and the sanctity of thought.

• Honor in All: Marriage is to be held in high esteem: "Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge." Hebrews 13:4

In conclusion, the Bible teaches that marriage is a divine institution meant for life, with adultery being the only legitimate ground for divorce in God's eyes. While human laws may grant divorces more readily, believers are called to adhere to God's higher law, seeking faithfulness, reconciliation, and purity in all marital relationships.