What Does the Bible Say About Divorce ?
We would not believe it if it were not written when we look at the statistics nationwide (USA) and worldwide of divorce rates. It appears that the bible says “if you want to stick together fine, if not fine.”
The rate of divorce is like this because people mainly get married on a ‘fixed emotion’. They are what people like to call “in love.”
What usually happens is that more of the withheld personalities of both parties begins to drip and drop like rap artist album release dates, and couples all of the sudden cannot handle the additional baggage behavior.
The Bible is Very Clear about Divorce…
“He’s so insensitive,” and “She’s so vain,” statements start to surface and since we are creatures that enjoy a new shirt better than old jeans, and new things rather than familiar things, we start looking for new things.
We take our cues from Hollywood and people who have no fear or understanding of the Most High God. We have to ask ourselves, especially as children and servants of God, what does the bible say about divorce?
It is very clear on what the bible says about divorce, it prohibits it! There are a million and one reasons why many people can think of as why they should divorce, but the Lord God of Israel only accepts one.
In the Old Testament, people say the phrase, ‘the laws of Moses’. Really, these are the laws of God. However, Moses did see the conflict many women (and possibly some men) where having in marriages and made his own addendum to lesson the evil.
What Does the Bible Say About Divorce?
He (Moses, not God) granted men to give a bill of divorce to his wife for whatever cause. Moses was a very meek man, soft-hearted and rather observe women in emotionally and physically abusive marriages, he rather them go back to their father’s house than to endure the physical and emotional hardship they were receiving from their so-called husbands.
Thus Moses allowed the written divorce (Deuteronomy 22 v13-19). There are other cases of what seems to be an allowed divorce in the scriptures of the Old Testament such as Deuteronomy 21:10-14: divorce of a female prisoner of war, and Exodus 21:7-11: fate of a woman sold into slavery.
The fact is that unless it says, “Thus says the Lord,” it is not etched in stone. Many great men and leaders made errors in the bible that if we look at what the Lord did or said in the beginning, we can understand through circumstances that they made an error.
Jesus (Yeshua) Instituted the Marriage
It may have been provoked by weird or tough circumstances for instance; if a woman is in a physically abusive marriage can she divorce? Any logical and rational being would suggest yes. Are we Okaying divorce? Yes. But let’s look into what Jesus (the Captain of the Creation) says about divorce.
…any man who puts away his wife and marries another woman is committing adultery
In Matthew 19 verses 8-10 Jesus clearly tells us that Moses allowed divorce because of the cold-heart men were having towards their wives. However when Jesus instituted the marriage institution in the beginning, it was never the case that a man can divorce his wife and vice versa.
Is it better not to marry…?
Jesus further tells us that any man who puts away his wife and marries another woman is committing adultery. And who ever marries her that is divorced (put away) also commits adultery.
This statement is so strong; Jesus’ disciples said to him that it is better not to marry. Marriage is a vow to each other and to God, and it is true, it is better not to marry than to marry and divorce outside of the reason of fornication.
What about abusive spouses, both emotionally and physically? I would suggest a separation followed by fasting and prayer for revelation from God as what to do for your own situation. What does the bible say about divorce?
Prayers Hindered Based on Marriage?
It is clear Jesus is against it, in so much, He won’t even answer or listen to prayers if you are treating your wife ill or if you abandon her all-together (Malachi 2:14-16). Take this seriously, because it is very vital to the creation of God.
God bless you in Jesus name.
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seek ye the kingdom of God and His righteousness…
Hallow , is there any hope for some one that is already a victim,
Divorced with wife and married another woman?
Peace and blessings, there is hope absolutely. The hope is in JESUS the Messiah from God. He is a merciful High Priest and King. If your divorce was done without knowledge, repent of your doing, that is acknowledge it, and make the entire situation, with your divorced and the new family (woman) better. In other words, learn the words of God so you can correct your entire situation as best as you can. God be with you and continue to study and improve your situation and do it with God.
I agree, thank you for that word brother Ishe
Blessings, thanks for your comment Antonio.
YES, I believe to remarry while your covenant spouse is still alive is Adultery(Romans 7:1-4 and Luke 16:18 and Mark 10:11-12, 1st Corinthians 7:39. There can be a separation, 1st Corinthians 7:10-11, however to marry someone else is forbidden and called adultery. Matt. 5:32 and Matt. 19:9 is the ONLY place you will find the so called “EXCEPTIVE CLAUSE.” Context is always important in the study of the bible. Jesus in these passages is giving the proper interpretation of the SOME UNCLEANNESS found in Deuteronomy 24:1-2 which was the only reason under Moses they were permitted to give a writing of Divorcement.
Jesus explained the reason was FORNICATION not any reason as many of the religious leaders thought, Matt. 5:32 and 19:9. Joseph thought Marry had committed Fornication, Matt. 1:18-19. So he went to Deut. 24:1. If someone uses Matt.5:32 and 19:9 they are following Moses. We are to follow CHRIST.
Blessings and thank you brother Richard for your input and comment.
All comments are good to hear. I believe that you have to put yourself in someone else’s place in order to be truly objective, such as the live or die situation and save my children from death and abuse situations. True that is not in God’s plan; however God is a forgiving God. He forgives everything except blasphemy. So adultery, fornication, murder, stealing, lying which stinks in God’s nostrils, can all be forgive with TRUE repentance. You must have a relationship with God to know and believe that He is who he says He is and will do what He said He will do. He will forgive.
Blessings Betty, thank you for your edifying comment. Our God is merciful and forgiving, qualities the Lord desires we embody also. By no means does God want us marrying and divorcing, but God isn’t for people suffering in abusive situations either. As in the days of Moses, the lesser of the two evils would be granted, but know that God is not mocked… God will weigh the hearts to get the truth of each situation. Praise God Betty, and thank you for visiting and commenting.
Elder Ishe
Thank you for this post. I was a victim of husband walking out on me/abandoned. I am disabled and he is the bread winner. He eventually filed for divorce. I’m a Pastor and was in the church helping me. We had been married 37 years. He knows what the Bible states and justified his move. Eventually we have gotten back together, but he is so mean to me to at times and don’t want to touch me, but he again has excuses. I know God isn’t happy with this situation.
Hey sis Marylin, over come with good, pray, and continue in the graces and mercy of the Lord God. Love you dearly; thank you for sharing and being here.