Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject Marriage, Divorce, & Remarriage D I V O R C E Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject

DIVORCE – A Testament To Failure Deut 24:1-4 Even before the Israelites entered their promised home, they were already divorcing contrary to God’s original marriage law found in Gen 2 God was attempting to regulate this behavior It is not to be understood as Divine approval for “divorce for any cause” cp. 1 Jn 2:1-2

DIVORCE – A Testament To Failure Deut 24:1-4 The remarriage of a woman to her husband who had divorced her was expressly forbidden v. 4 What was not expressly forbidden was her remarrying another man after the 1st husband had put her away v. 2 However, this does not imply God’s approval

DIVORCE – A Testament To Failure Deut 24:1-4 The passage was given through Moses because of “hard hearts” Mt 19:8 Mk 10:5 This showed God’s “tolerance” cp. Acts 17:30 The woman’s defilement… It was not her second divorce v. 3 It had to have been her second marriage

DIVORCE – A Testament To Failure Deut 24:1-4 The “indecency” [NASV] … v. 1 It was not sexual sin cp. Lev 20:10 Deut 22:13-27 It could have been some moral or “ceremonial” uncleanness cp. Deut 23:14 This passage indicates God was trying to regulate behavior that did not have His approval

DIVORCE – A Testament To Failure Deut 24:1-4 Jesus’ words to His questioners also show this passage did not reflect God’s original intentions re: marriage Mt 19:4, 8 Mk 10:6-8 cp. Gen 2 Yes, this text offered some protection to the woman However, it was never meant to be used the way the Jews in N.T. days were treating it…divorce “at will”

DIVORCE – A Testament To Failure Ezra 9-10 Even after spending 70 years in captivity, the exilic Jews once again “took up some old sins” Ezra was forced to deal with some unpleasant marriage situations This text emphasizes our relationship with God over all other relationships…even marriage

DIVORCE – A Testament To Failure Ezra 9-10 After coming home from Babylonian captivity, the exiles had not separated themselves from the unbelieving pagans around them 9:1 The post-exilic Jews were intermarrying with these pagan women 9:2a First & foremost in this sin were the leaders 9:2b

DIVORCE – A Testament To Failure Ezra 9-10 This behavior was in direct rebellion to what the Law commanded cp. Deut 7:1-5 Ex 34:16 In his prayer, Ezra cites this passage 9:12 To think about all Judah had been through (captivity), that they would start back down that same road with these marriages was “unthinkable” 9:13-15

DIVORCE – A Testament To Failure Ezra 9-10 For reconciliation with God to occur, they were going to have to put these wives away 10:1-4 They had been “unfaithful to God” v. 2a Yet, “there was still hope” v. 2b This would be a “process” and would not happen overnight 10:9-14. 16-17

DIVORCE – A Testament To Failure Ezra 9-10 Ezra faced opposition in this decision 10:15 However, what he commanded was the “will of God” and the people had to “do it” 10:11 We must not be naïve…this would not be easy Several “emotional arguments” could have been made re: this decision 10:3, 44

DIVORCE – A Testament To Failure Ezra 9-10 Emotional arguments do not change nor sway what the word of God plainly says on a subject Relationships, Salvation, Work of the kingdom, etc. What does repentance demand? Repentance requires a complete cessation of all activity from a sinful relationship or situation

DIVORCE – A Testament To Failure Ezra 9-10 Sadly, this passage parallels situations we encounter today We sometimes encounter people interested in the gospel only to later discover they are in marriages that God does not approve If they truly want to be saved, repentance demands they do as the Jews in Ezra’s day had to do

DIVORCE – A Testament To Failure Ezra 9-10 Sadly, this passage parallels situations we encounter today Emotional arguments won’t changed present-day situations, either Jesus reminds us of what may have to happen if one really desires eternal life cp. Mt 19:12

DIVORCE – A Testament To Failure Ezra 9-10 This passage also reminds us of the importance of choosing one’s spouse Remember our discussions re: courtship, dating We must know the Lord’s teachings re: M/D/R BEFORE entering marriage if we want to avoid the heartache experienced by those in Ezra’s day

DIVORCE – A Testament To Failure Mal 2:10-16 Again, the Jews displayed a willingness to repeat previous mistakes…commit the same sins Despite Ezra having addressed this just 13 to 15 years earlier, intermarriage with pagans plagued the post-exilic Jews again

DIVORCE – A Testament To Failure Mal 2:10-16 This text emphasizes two important truths about marriage…truths as relevant under the 2nd covenant as they were under the 1st covenant God is “witness” when a man enters into a marriage covenant with a woman v. 14 cp. Gen 2:24 God “hates divorce” v. 16 cp. Mk 10:9

DIVORCE – A Testament To Failure Mal 2:10-16 The remnant Jews were… …“profaning the covenant of their fathers” v. 10 …“dealing treacherously with their brothers” v. 10 The situation Malachi had to address was jeopardizing the Jews’ “national distinction” of being God’s people

DIVORCE – A Testament To Failure Mal 2:10-16 The “sin” at the root of the Jews’ problems was their intermarriages with foreign women v. 11 They were also in danger of judgment v. 12 They were not only guilty of violating the Lord’s commandment re: intermarrying pagans They were guilty of something equally important

DIVORCE – A Testament To Failure Mal 2:10-16 The Jews were also guilty of breaking the hearts of the wives they had put away (divorced) in order to marry the pagan women v. 13a The “tears covering the altar” were their wives’ This also affected their worship v. 13b Principle Ù an O.T. parallel to 1 Pet 3:7?