Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject

Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject

Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject 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

Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject 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

Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject 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:

Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject 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

Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject 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

Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject 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

Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject 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

Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject 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

Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject 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

Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject 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

Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject 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

Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject 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

Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject 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  Tears “covering the altar” belonged to their wives  This also affected their worship v. 13b  Principle Ù an O.T. parallel to 1 Pet 3:7?

Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject DIVORCE – A Testament To Failure Mal 2:10-16  The Jews were in denial to Malachi’s preaching  The style of the entire prophecy indicates this  Technically called “Didactic-Dialectic” public speaking  An assertion (charge) is made…an objection is raised to that charge…evidence (proof) is given as support  Ten times this happens 1:2, 6, 7, 12, 13 2:14, 17 3:7, 8, 17

Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject DIVORCE – A Testament To Failure Mal 2:10-16  The Jews say to Malachi “For what reason?” was God no longer accepting their worship 2:14a  The proof was the putting away of their wives… labeled as “treacherous treatment” against the “wife of your youth” and “companion” and “wife by covenant” 2:14b

Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject DIVORCE – A Testament To Failure Mal 2:10-16  God’s role as “Witness” in marriage is an ageless principle for ALL marriages of ALL time  He does the joining Mt 19:6  He is an active Partner in the marriage  Any spouse treated unfairly suffers knowing God is fully aware of such treacherous behavior

Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject DIVORCE – A Testament To Failure Mal 2:10-16  2:15a has various good translations…determining exactly what is being said is difficult  The point from 2:15b is easier to determine  It is an exhortation to refrain from such treacherous treatment of one’s spouse

Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject DIVORCE – A Testament To Failure Mal 2:10-16  God’s own feelings are stated in 2:16  He “hates” putting away (divorce)  Such is “covering one’s garment with wrong”  Knowing how strongly He feels about this should have stopped this both Ezra’s & Malachi’s day… and in our day, too!!

Biblical Examinations Of An Emotional & Controversial Subject