Is Divorce Evil?

[arviddag]

Talking about divorce, the Bible has narrated marriage to be a thing of lifetime, I’ve come across a couple of marriages where there has been love then ended up in chaos

The Bible is against divorce, what are your thoughts?

 

[Johann]

Talking about divorce, the Bible has narrated marriage to be a thing of lifetime, I’ve come across a couple of marriages where there has been love then ended up in chaos

The Bible is against divorce, what are your thoughts?

CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE

This phrase occurs in Jesus' discussion of divorce, "to write a certificate of divorce," and comes from Deut. 24:1-4 (cf. Matt. 5:31; 19:7-9; Mark 10:4-5). Moses enacted a legal procedure to protect the wife (cf. Exod. 21:1-11). This legal procedure would have several requirements.

1. it took some amount of time

2. it took a priest or Levite to write it

3. it probably required the return of the dowry

Hopefully, these procedures would give the couple a chance to reconcile.

It must also be stated that Deuteronomy 24 assumed the right of remarriage for both the man and woman. However, the Deuteronomy passage in context was not addressing the cultural issue of divorce as much as (1) assuring the virginity and faithfulness of the bride and (2) outlining the specific procedures and limits on the remarriage.

The real problem occurred in the liberal interpretation of this passage by the rabbinical school of Hillel (cf. The Christ of the Gospels by J. W. Shepherd, pp. 451-457). This school picked up on the term "indecency" (see paragraph #2 below) and extended its original time frame and meaning. In Matt. 19:3,7-8, the Pharisees were only quoting Moses in order to trick Jesus. They were not seeking information.

Jesus confirmed the intent of God for marriage as one man, one woman for life (cf. Matt. 5:31). Anything else is not the ideal. The problem comes in how to balance Jesus' words in this context with His words of forgiveness in other contexts. The standard for Kingdom followers is high, but so too, is the grace of God! In this area a case-by-case approach is better than rigid legal rules.

In the OT YHWH used divorce to describe His actions toward Israel because of their idolatry (cf. Isa. 50:1; Jer. 3:1-8; Hos. 2:2). There are examples in the OT where divorce is required (cf. Gen. 21:8-14; Exod. 21:10-11; Deut. 21:10-14; Ezra 9-10). There is an excellent thought-provoking article in the Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, vol. 40 # 4, entitled "Old Testament Perspectives on Divorce and Remarriage" by Joe M. Sprinkle.

The two criteria for divorce in Deut. 24:1 are

1. she finds no favor in is eyes –

This common verb (BDB 592, KB 619) is used twice in this verse (first, Qal imperfect and the second Qal perfect). It is used in the sense of "to recognize an existing condition" (cf. Deut. 22:14,17).

The term "favor" (BDB 336) is used of both God's favor (e.g., Gen. 6:8; Exod. 33:17) and mankind's (e.g., Gen. 30:27; 33:8,10,15; Ruth 2:2,10,13). It means a favorable acceptance or attitude of responsiveness. Here it is negated. It recognized the fallen condition of human love, which is sometimes fickle and fleeting.

This text has been a source of great controversy among the rabbis. Shammai (the conservative group of rabbis) said it only referred to adultery, while Hillel (the liberal group of rabbis) said it could refer to anything, even trivial things (i.e., bad food, bad in-law relations, found a prettier woman). In Israel only the husband had the legal right of divorce.

2. some indecency –

Literally this is "the nakedness of a thing" (BDB 788 construct BDB 182). In Deut. 23:14 the same term is used in a non-moral sense. This cannot refer to proven adultery because the automatic penalty was death (cf. Deut. 22:22). Jesus, when quoting this text, seems to interpret it by the phrase "fornication" in Matt. 19:9, which was a Greek term (porneia) that involved any sexual impropriety or unfaithfulness. The term is meant to be ambiguous and, thereby covers the widest possible circumstances.

Moses wrote this text to protect the rejected, vulnerable wife. It is shocking to me that Jesus asserts that this legal protection of divorce and remarriage was never God's intention (cf. Matt. 5:27-32; 19:7-12; Mark 10:2-12; Luke 16:14-18), but Moses' idea because of the hardness of the hearts of the Israelites. How many other things recorded in the Pentateuch are not the intended will of God? Jesus, as Lord of Scripture, showed His authority by correcting both OT texts and their interpretation (cf. Matt. 5:17-48; Mark 7:1-23). This is distressing to us modern evangelicals who put such an emphasis on the Bible as the "word of God" (and it surely is!), but we must remember that Jesus is the Living Word and we only have a fraction of all the things He did and said (cf. John 20:30). The Bible is primarily designed to first give us salvation (cf. John 20:31; 2 Tim. 3:15) and then to guide us in living the Christian life (cf. 2 Tim.3:16-17). We have all the information that we need to be saved and live a life pleasing to God. We do not need additional rules and laws. The texts we have and the indwelling Spirit guide us from the texts we have into the areas of uncertainty. I am reminded that Jesus commented that all Scriptural teaching on how to live for God is summed up in only two priority statements (cf. Matt. 22:34-40; Mark 12:28-34; Luke 10:25-28):

a. Deut. 6:4 – love God completely

b. Lev. 19:18 – love your neighbor (which surely includes one's family members) as yourself

Surely #b includes one's spouse!

 

[Johann]

CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE

This phrase occurs in Jesus' discussion of divorce, "to write a certificate of divorce," and comes from Deut. 24:1-4 (cf. Matt. 5:31; 19:7-9; Mark 10:4-5). Moses enacted a legal procedure to protect the wife (cf. Exod. 21:1-11). This legal procedure would have several requirements.

1. it took some amount of time

2. it took a priest or Levite to write it

3. it probably required the return of the dowry

Hopefully, these procedures would give the couple a chance to reconcile.

It must also be stated that Deuteronomy 24 assumed the right of remarriage for both the man and woman. However, the Deuteronomy passage in context was not addressing the cultural issue of divorce as much as (1) assuring the virginity and faithfulness of the bride and (2) outlining the specific procedures and limits on the remarriage.

The real problem occurred in the liberal interpretation of this passage by the rabbinical school of Hillel (cf. The Christ of the Gospels by J. W. Shepherd, pp. 451-457). This school picked up on the term "indecency" (see paragraph #2 below) and extended its original time frame and meaning. In Matt. 19:3,7-8, the Pharisees were only quoting Moses in order to trick Jesus. They were not seeking information.

Jesus confirmed the intent of God for marriage as one man, one woman for life (cf. Matt. 5:31). Anything else is not the ideal. The problem comes in how to balance Jesus' words in this context with His words of forgiveness in other contexts. The standard for Kingdom followers is high, but so too, is the grace of God! In this area a case-by-case approach is better than rigid legal rules.

In the OT YHWH used divorce to describe His actions toward Israel because of their idolatry (cf. Isa. 50:1; Jer. 3:1-8; Hos. 2:2). There are examples in the OT where divorce is required (cf. Gen. 21:8-14; Exod. 21:10-11; Deut. 21:10-14; Ezra 9-10). There is an excellent thought-provoking article in the Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, vol. 40 # 4, entitled "Old Testament Perspectives on Divorce and Remarriage" by Joe M. Sprinkle.

The two criteria for divorce in Deut. 24:1 are

1. she finds no favor in is eyes –

This common verb (BDB 592, KB 619) is used twice in this verse (first, Qal imperfect and the second Qal perfect). It is used in the sense of "to recognize an existing condition" (cf. Deut. 22:14,17).

The term "favor" (BDB 336) is used of both God's favor (e.g., Gen. 6:8; Exod. 33:17) and mankind's (e.g., Gen. 30:27; 33:8,10,15; Ruth 2:2,10,13). It means a favorable acceptance or attitude of responsiveness. Here it is negated. It recognized the fallen condition of human love, which is sometimes fickle and fleeting.

This text has been a source of great controversy among the rabbis. Shammai (the conservative group of rabbis) said it only referred to adultery, while Hillel (the liberal group of rabbis) said it could refer to anything, even trivial things (i.e., bad food, bad in-law relations, found a prettier woman). In Israel only the husband had the legal right of divorce.

2. some indecency –

Literally this is "the nakedness of a thing" (BDB 788 construct BDB 182). In Deut. 23:14 the same term is used in a non-moral sense. This cannot refer to proven adultery because the automatic penalty was death (cf. Deut. 22:22). Jesus, when quoting this text, seems to interpret it by the phrase "fornication" in Matt. 19:9, which was a Greek term (porneia) that involved any sexual impropriety or unfaithfulness. The term is meant to be ambiguous and, thereby covers the widest possible circumstances.

Moses wrote this text to protect the rejected, vulnerable wife. It is shocking to me that Jesus asserts that this legal protection of divorce and remarriage was never God's intention (cf. Matt. 5:27-32; 19:7-12; Mark 10:2-12; Luke 16:14-18), but Moses' idea because of the hardness of the hearts of the Israelites. How many other things recorded in the Pentateuch are not the intended will of God? Jesus, as Lord of Scripture, showed His authority by correcting both OT texts and their interpretation (cf. Matt. 5:17-48; Mark 7:1-23). This is distressing to us modern evangelicals who put such an emphasis on the Bible as the "word of God" (and it surely is!), but we must remember that Jesus is the Living Word and we only have a fraction of all the things He did and said (cf. John 20:30). The Bible is primarily designed to first give us salvation (cf. John 20:31; 2 Tim. 3:15) and then to guide us in living the Christian life (cf. 2 Tim.3:16-17). We have all the information that we need to be saved and live a life pleasing to God. We do not need additional rules and laws. The texts we have and the indwelling Spirit guide us from the texts we have into the areas of uncertainty. I am reminded that Jesus commented that all Scriptural teaching on how to live for God is summed up in only two priority statements (cf. Matt. 22:34-40; Mark 12:28-34; Luke 10:25-28):

a. Deut. 6:4 – love God completely

b. Lev. 19:18 – love your neighbor (which surely includes one's family members) as yourself

Surely #b includes one's spouse!

 

[Pearl]

Talking about divorce, the Bible has narrated marriage to be a thing of lifetime, I’ve come across a couple of marriages where there has been love then ended up in chaos

The Bible is against divorce, what are your thoughts?

I was divorced and remarried before I became a Christian/born again. God accepted me. He is merciful.

 

[Johann]

Now most here would dismiss Mike Winger because he is Mike Winger.

 

[arviddag]

I was divorced and remarried before I became a Christian/born again. God accepted me. He is merciful.

God is indeed merciful

 

[arviddag]

Now most here would dismiss Mike Winger because he is Mike Winger.

I listen to Mike Winger sometimes, he has some lessons to dish out

 

[Johann]

I listen to Mike Winger sometimes, he has some lessons to dish out

Agreed.
J.

 

[Gospel Believer]

CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE

This phrase occurs in Jesus' discussion of divorce, "to write a certificate of divorce," and comes from Deut. 24:1-4 (cf. Matt. 5:31; 19:7-9; Mark 10:4-5). Moses enacted a legal procedure to protect the wife (cf. Exod. 21:1-11). This legal procedure would have several requirements.

1. it took some amount of time

2. it took a priest or Levite to write it

3. it probably required the return of the dowry

Hopefully, these procedures would give the couple a chance to reconcile.

It must also be stated that Deuteronomy 24 assumed the right of remarriage for both the man and woman. However, the Deuteronomy passage in context was not addressing the cultural issue of divorce as much as (1) assuring the virginity and faithfulness of the bride and (2) outlining the specific procedures and limits on the remarriage.

The real problem occurred in the liberal interpretation of this passage by the rabbinical school of Hillel (cf. The Christ of the Gospels by J. W. Shepherd, pp. 451-457). This school picked up on the term "indecency" (see paragraph #2 below) and extended its original time frame and meaning. In Matt. 19:3,7-8, the Pharisees were only quoting Moses in order to trick Jesus. They were not seeking information.

Jesus confirmed the intent of God for marriage as one man, one woman for life (cf. Matt. 5:31). Anything else is not the ideal. The problem comes in how to balance Jesus' words in this context with His words of forgiveness in other contexts. The standard for Kingdom followers is high, but so too, is the grace of God! In this area a case-by-case approach is better than rigid legal rules.

In the OT YHWH used divorce to describe His actions toward Israel because of their idolatry (cf. Isa. 50:1; Jer. 3:1-8; Hos. 2:2). There are examples in the OT where divorce is required (cf. Gen. 21:8-14; Exod. 21:10-11; Deut. 21:10-14; Ezra 9-10). There is an excellent thought-provoking article in the Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, vol. 40 # 4, entitled "Old Testament Perspectives on Divorce and Remarriage" by Joe M. Sprinkle.

The two criteria for divorce in Deut. 24:1 are

1. she finds no favor in is eyes –

This common verb (BDB 592, KB 619) is used twice in this verse (first, Qal imperfect and the second Qal perfect). It is used in the sense of "to recognize an existing condition" (cf. Deut. 22:14,17).

The term "favor" (BDB 336) is used of both God's favor (e.g., Gen. 6:8; Exod. 33:17) and mankind's (e.g., Gen. 30:27; 33:8,10,15; Ruth 2:2,10,13). It means a favorable acceptance or attitude of responsiveness. Here it is negated. It recognized the fallen condition of human love, which is sometimes fickle and fleeting.

This text has been a source of great controversy among the rabbis. Shammai (the conservative group of rabbis) said it only referred to adultery, while Hillel (the liberal group of rabbis) said it could refer to anything, even trivial things (i.e., bad food, bad in-law relations, found a prettier woman). In Israel only the husband had the legal right of divorce.

2. some indecency –

Literally this is "the nakedness of a thing" (BDB 788 construct BDB 182). In Deut. 23:14 the same term is used in a non-moral sense. This cannot refer to proven adultery because the automatic penalty was death (cf. Deut. 22:22). Jesus, when quoting this text, seems to interpret it by the phrase "fornication" in Matt. 19:9, which was a Greek term (porneia) that involved any sexual impropriety or unfaithfulness. The term is meant to be ambiguous and, thereby covers the widest possible circumstances.

Moses wrote this text to protect the rejected, vulnerable wife. It is shocking to me that Jesus asserts that this legal protection of divorce and remarriage was never God's intention (cf. Matt. 5:27-32; 19:7-12; Mark 10:2-12; Luke 16:14-18), but Moses' idea because of the hardness of the hearts of the Israelites. How many other things recorded in the Pentateuch are not the intended will of God? Jesus, as Lord of Scripture, showed His authority by correcting both OT texts and their interpretation (cf. Matt. 5:17-48; Mark 7:1-23). This is distressing to us modern evangelicals who put such an emphasis on the Bible as the "word of God" (and it surely is!), but we must remember that Jesus is the Living Word and we only have a fraction of all the things He did and said (cf. John 20:30). The Bible is primarily designed to first give us salvation (cf. John 20:31; 2 Tim. 3:15) and then to guide us in living the Christian life (cf. 2 Tim.3:16-17). We have all the information that we need to be saved and live a life pleasing to God. We do not need additional rules and laws. The texts we have and the indwelling Spirit guide us from the texts we have into the areas of uncertainty. I am reminded that Jesus commented that all Scriptural teaching on how to live for God is summed up in only two priority statements (cf. Matt. 22:34-40; Mark 12:28-34; Luke 10:25-28):

a. Deut. 6:4 – love God completely

b. Lev. 19:18 – love your neighbor (which surely includes one's family members) as yourself

Surely #b includes one's spouse!

I have heard it said that God hates divorce yet He allowed it because he knew the hearts of people were flawed....speaking from a strictly legal point of view, the divorce itself is not the sin....the sin is that you commit adultery every time you have sex from that point forward —- married or not.....correct?

 

[Johann]

I have heard it said that God hates divorce yet He allowed it because he knew the hearts of people were flawed....speaking from a strictly legal point of view, the divorce itself is not the sin....the sin is that you commit adultery every time you have sex from that point forward —- married or not.....correct?

Did God allow divorce?

 

[Pearl]

I have heard it said that God hates divorce yet He allowed it because he knew the hearts of people were flawed....speaking from a strictly legal point of view, the divorce itself is not the sin....the sin is that you commit adultery every time you have sex from that point forward —- married or not.....correct?

What if a person is already divorced and then becomes a Christian?

 

[Rockerduck]

We are not under the Law, we under Grace. May I say, Amazing Grace. We do not deserve it or have earned it. Upon your salvation, God gave you His Amazing Grace, forgiving ALL your sins, again, All your sins; from the time you were born until now and beyond. Whether, married 5 times or not. You are a child of God who loves you and Jesus paid it all. Your sin was taken away and nailed to the cross.

Colossians 2:14 - having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

If you are saved, do not worry. God knows what He is doing.
Romans 8:28 - And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

 

[Pearl]

Matthew 11:29-30
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”​

 

[Gospel Believer]

Did God allow divorce?

Yes....he did not like it ....in fact he hates it....but he did and does allow it....

 

[Gospel Believer]

We are not under the Law, we under Grace. May I say, Amazing Grace. We do not deserve it or have earned it. Upon your salvation, God gave you His Amazing Grace, forgiving ALL your sins, again, All your sins; from the time you were born until now and beyond. Whether, married 5 times or not. You are a child of God who loves you and Jesus paid it all. Your sin was taken away and nailed to the cross.

Colossians 2:14 - having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

If you are saved, do not worry. God knows what He is doing.
Romans 8:28 - And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Absolutely.....even if it is technically an act of adultery when you have sexual relationships after one is divorced , Grace has it covered...if we want to get “ really” technical and Legalistic, according to Jesus you commit adultery every time you have a Lustful thought ......that “ Grace” That we were referring to? It’s got ‘ that” covered too.....

 

[Wrangler]

Talking about divorce, the Bible has narrated marriage to be a thing of lifetime

Our society used to be Biblically aligned. In the 19th century, one could only get divorced by fault. If a wife wanted a divorce and had grounds, she could BUT the children would go to the father, since he was able to materially provide for them. Divorce was rare.

Now society does everything it can to maximize divorce.

• No fault
• Wife gets children by default
• Transfer of wealth payment from husband.

There are exceptions but this the big picture. Not surprisingly, divorce is common. Marriage means combining assets until you don't feel like it anymore. No longer is it a meaningful commitment or a meaningful institution. To further dilute it, now we have gay marriage. Gay marriage is settling for the map rather than the territory; the form not the substance of what is depicted.

 

[Bob Estey]

Talking about divorce, the Bible has narrated marriage to be a thing of lifetime, I’ve come across a couple of marriages where there has been love then ended up in chaos

The Bible is against divorce, what are your thoughts?

I don't know that divorce is a bad thing. What I think is a bad thing is to remarry after a divorce, unless your spouse was guilty of unchastity (Matthew 19:9).

 

[Pearl]

I don't know that divorce is a bad thing. What I think is a bad thing is to remarry after a divorce, unless your spouse was guilty of unchastity (Matthew 19:9).

So what about if you were divorced and re-married and THEN became a Christian?

 

[Gospel Believer]

So what about if you were divorced and re-married and THEN became a Christian?

Divorce is not something God likes to see....it goes against His plan for us.....anytime we don’t do things God’s way, we pay the price....Divorce is a terrible ordeal for anybody that goes through it....That is probably the biggest reason that God is against it....nobody “ enjoys” a divorce.....

Anytime we sin , or “ fall short” it is “ we” that pay the price.....we pay that price here in our Earthly existence.....none of this stuff has ANYTHING to do with Salvation.....I have an Aunt that was married and divorced 7 times in her life......I don’t think she was very happy or proud about that.....I have other relatives that were blessed in their marriages and never even “ thought” about getting a divorce.....all of them are Saved ......why? They Trusted Jesus to Save them....Those that lack that, even if they have the happiest and most secure marriages on the planet , are in bigger trouble than a person divorced 7 times....or even 70 ...

 

[Pearl]

Divorce is not something God likes to see....it goes against His plan for us.....anytime we don’t do things God’s way, we pay the price....Divorce is a terrible ordeal for anybody that goes through it....That is probably the biggest reason that God is against it....nobody “ enjoys” a divorce.....

Anytime we sin , or “ fall short” it is “ we” that pay the price.....we pay that price here in our Earthly existence.....none of this stuff has ANYTHING to do with Salvation.....I have an Aunt that was married and divorced 7 times in her life......I don’t think she was very happy or proud about that.....I have other relatives that were blessed in their marriages and never even “ thought” about getting a divorce.....all of them are Saved ......why? They Trusted Jesus to Save them....Those that lack that, even if they have the happiest and most secure marriages on the planet , are in bigger trouble than a person divorced 7 times....or even 70 ...

I was divorced an re-married long before I was born again but God has accepted me and forgiven me and is using me. Before I became Christian I did think my divorced state would prevent God loving me but now I know better.

Divorced people can feel very unworthy pf God's love so we must show them that there is still a way to accepted by God because he is loving and merciful and not judgmental.