What does the Bible say about DIVORCE? 1. In the beginning, G | Vlad Savchuk

What does the Bible say about DIVORCE?

1. In the beginning, God intended marriage to be permanent (Gen.2:24-25; Mark 10:6-9).

2. Even though divorce was allowed under the Old Covenant, it was permitted because of the hardness of hearts. (Matt.19:7-8; Deut.24:1)

3. Divorce in the OT was allowed for “some uncleanness.” Shammai limited divorce to a moral cause and Hillel included many other causes for divorce like bad breath, snoring, or even bad cooking.

4. God hates divorce (Mal.2:16) but He also divorced Israel for their continuous unfaithfulness but then remarried Israel after they returned (Jer.3:8, 14; Is.50:1)

5. Jesus’ standard on marriage was high. He said that whoever divorces and remarries for any cause except for sexual sin is committing adultery. (Matthew 19:9)

6. Divorce shouldn’t be initiated in the instance of a one-time affair occurrence; Christian love, forgiveness, and reconciliation should be the focus. There is no requirement for divorce in these situations but it mostly depends on the hearts of the people involved.

7. If someone initiates a wrongful divorce and later recognizes the mistake of their ways and sincerely repents, they have the full assurance from God’s word that they are forgiven. The sin that led to divorce or the sin of divorce can be forgiven by the blood of Jesus Christ.

8. The consequences of divorce however don’t get undone. It does take a toll on a person and plants seeds for broken homes into future generations. That calls for counseling, community, soul healing, and even deliverance to move on into the future that God has for each person.