What Does Jesus say about Divorce & Remarriage?

The year 2020 was a very unique year. One of the ways was in the number of divorces in the US. There was a 50 year low. For every 1000 marriages only 14.9ended in divorce. On the surface that sounds great but one of the contributing factors is that cohabiting dramatically increased to over 17 million. In addition, 78% of those aged 18-44 now view cohabiting as acceptable.

Divorce has affected young & old, rich & poor, Christian & non-Christian. Divorce does not solve problems, it merely dissolves marriages.

While God is often the last one many going through a divorce want to consult, He does have something to say on the matter. Malachi 2:16 says “ God hates divorce” Why is that? Remember God is the one who established the institution of marriage all the way back in Genesis 1&2. Divorce does several things

It destroys God’s pattern

It damages people - husbands, wives, children etc...

It creates problems- property, possessions, people

So this morning we want to look at the topics of divorce & remarriage through the eyes of the Lord Jesus because He is the Living Word revealed in the written word- the Bible. Two main points/thoughts

I. The Law, II. The Lord

I. The Law - Mt.5:31-32, Mt. 19:1-12

A. The Problem - Religious leaders had misinterpreted the law to fit their own ideas

The two most popular schools of thought , were represented by 2 very different Rabbis

Shammai- strict interpretation of the law, divorce was only permitted because of adultery( unfaithfulness)uncleanness

Hillel- much more liberal in interpreting the law, divorce was permitted for any and all uncleannesses. If your wife put too much salt on your food she was unclean; if your wife went out in public with her head uncovered she was unclean; if you as the husband found another woman more attractive then you could say she was unclean

Needless to say this was the most popular view during the time of Jesus. The advocates of this view were quite focused on finding any uncleanness so they could divorce their wives.

Jesus stressed the principles that would prevent divorce and protect the innocent as well as reaffirm the true meaning of the law.

B. The Principles

Jesus affirms and interprets what Moses taught in Dt.24:1-4 ( The first mention of the bill of divorcement/certificate of dismissal)

1. Divorce was limited to a specific cause -uncleanness. vs.1

Unjustified divorce leads to adultery.

2. A man who divorces his wife must give her a bill of divorcement( certificate of dismissal). vs.1

This was for the wife’s protection. Why? Hardness of their hearts. A bill of divorcement /certificate of dismissal did not make a divorce legitimate

3. A man who divorces his wife may not remarry his ex-wife again after she has been married to someone else. vs.4

Through Moses God permitted divorce but did not command it or commend it.

There was one occasion God commanded the Israelite men to divorce their pagan wives. Ezra 10:10-44 ; II Cor. 6:14

II. The Lord Mt.19:3-12; Mk10:11-12; Lk. 16:18

A. The Pattern ( God’s Ideal) vs. 4-6

When all else fails read the instructions. Jesus takes them all the way back to the beginning instructions which emphasized the sanctity of marriage

1. Marriage is God’s plan.

It is His institution. It extends much further than simply a civil contract; it is a moral covenant joining two into one flesh. It pictures Christ relationship with His bride , The church

2.One man, one woman for life - Gen 2:24

God made Adam & Eve. Homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery(cooperative cohabitation), and pornography are all sinful perversions of God’s gift of sex

We believe God also disapproves of and forbids any attempt to alter one’s gender by surgery or appearance.

3.Leave & Cleave. v.5

The leaving speaks of a temporary relationship- the parent/child relationship. The cleaving speaks of a permanent relationship- the husband/wife relationship. The root word of cleave means to glue- perma bond together. Two individuals become one physically, psychologically, and spiritually.

4. Let no man put asunder v.6

Wrong theology leads to wrong living. A man’s morality will dictate his theology, philosophy and politics

B. The Permission vs.7-9

1. Moses allowed a bill of divorcement ( certificate of dismissal) because of the hardness of their hearts ( rather than death- Joseph Mt. 1:19)

2. “Fornication” vs.9 GK. “porneia” was any illicit sexual sin whether or not either of the parties were married.

It may include adultery, incest, prostitution, homosexuality, bestiality or any other sexual act for which the Old Testament demanded the death penalty

3. A justified cause is still not a command.

C. The Principles vs.10-12

1. All men cannot receive this saying vs.11

Divorce is not the unpardonable sin. God’s mercy still forgives sin. He alone can heal the pain and hurt caused by divorce

2. Some marriages should have never taken place because God did not bring the couple together.

3. Abandonment /dissertion by an unbelieving spouse does not put a believing spouse in bondage