1. Divorce n Matthew 5:31-48 (NKJV) 31“Furthermore it has been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.”

2. Divorce n Whosoever shall put away his wife—The Jewish doctors gave great license in the matter of divorce. Among them, a man might divorce his wife if she displeased him even in the dressing of his victuals! Rabbi Akiba said, “If any man saw a woman handsomer than his own wife, he might put his wife away; because it is said in the law, If she find not favor in his eyes.” Deuteronomy 24:1.

3. Divorce n Josephus, the celebrated Jewish historian, in his Life, tells us, with the utmost coolness and indifference, “About this time I put away my wife, who had borne me three children, not being pleased with her manners.”

4. Divorce n These two cases are sufficient to show to what a scandalous and criminal excess this matter was carried among the Jews. However, it was allowed by the school of Shammai, that no man was to put away his wife unless for adultery. The school of Hillel gave much greater license.

5. Divorce n Deuteronomy 24:1-4 (NKJV) 1 “When a man takes a wife and marries her, and it happens that she finds no favor in his eyes because he has found some uncleanness in her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce, puts it in her hand, and sends her out of his house, 2 when she has departed from his house, and goes and becomes another man’s wife,

6. Divorce n 3 if the latter husband detests her and writes her a certificate of divorce, puts it in her hand, and sends her out of his house, or if the latter husband dies who took her as his wife, 4 then her former husband who divorced her must not take her back to be his wife after she has been defiled; for that is an abomination before the Lord, and you shall not bring sin on the land which the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance.

7. Divorce n a) Does vs. 31 seem to refer to a technical behavior required by the Pharisees? Is the answer of Jesus much broader than technical applications of law? Read Matthew 19:3-9. Why was divorce allowed for more than one reason?

8. Divorce n b) What beatitudes in particular would be applicable to questions regarding divorce (regardless of the specific law God gives concerning it)?

9. Oaths – Matthew 5:33-37 n 33“Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ 34 But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.

10. Oaths – Matthew 5:33-37 n 5) Oaths – Matthew 5:33-37

11. Oaths – Matthew 5:33-37 n 5) Oaths – Matthew 5:33-37 n a) Based on the details of how they were swearing (vs. 34-36), do you get the impression that the Pharisees had created many rules regarding oaths? Read Matthew 23:16-22.

12. Oaths – Matthew 5:33-37 n Matthew 23:16-22 (NKJV) 16 “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obliged to perform it.’ 17 Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold? 18 And, ‘Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he is obliged to perform it.’

13. Oaths – Matthew 5:33-37 n 19 Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift? 20 Therefore he who swears by the altar, swears by it and by all things on it. 21 He who swears by the temple, swears by it and by Him who dwells in it. 22 And he who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by Him who sits on it.

14. Oaths – Matthew 5:33-37 n b) Which beatitude would motivate someone to avoid oaths and simply tell the truth?

15. Oaths – Matthew 5:33-37 n c) In terms of civil oaths (e.g. swearing in of a witness), is it possible for us to miss the point of this passage in an effort to be technically correct?

16. Attitudes Toward Enemies n 38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 41And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.

17. Attitudes Toward Enemies n 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

18. Attitudes Toward Enemies n 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

19. Attitudes Toward Enemies n Lesson 7 - Attitude toward Enemies n 1) Read Deut. 19:16-21. What beneficial result should have come this commandment?

20. Attitudes Toward Enemies n Deuteronomy 19:16-21 (NKJV) 16 If a false witness rises against any man to testify against him of wrongdoing, 17 then both men in the controversy shall stand before the Lord, before the priests and the judges who serve in those days. 18 And the judges shall make careful inquiry, and indeed, if the witness is a false witness, who has testified falsely against his brother, 19 then you shall do to him as he thought to have done to his brother; so you shall put away the evil from among you.

21. Attitudes Toward Enemies n 20 And those who remain shall hear and fear, and hereafter they shall not again commit such evil among you. 21Your eye shall not pity: life shall be for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.

22. Attitudes Toward Enemies n 2) Given the flaws of the Pharisees and scribes, how might they have abused the commandment quoted in vs. 38?

23. Attitudes Toward Enemies n 2) Given the flaws of the Pharisees and scribes, how might they have abused the commandment quoted in vs. 38? n 38“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.

24. Attitudes Toward Enemies n 2) Given the flaws of the Pharisees and scribes, how might they have abused the commandment quoted in vs. 38? n 38“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. n 3) Before concentrating on the actions commanded in vs. 39-42, determine in your mind what principle(s) Jesus is trying to teach.

25. Attitudes Toward Enemies n 4) For each of the verses below, list the beatitude character traits that would be demonstrated by the required action:

26. Attitudes Toward Enemies n a) vs. 39

27. Attitudes Toward Enemies n a) vs. 39 n 39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.

28. Attitudes Toward Enemies n b) vs. 40 n

29. Attitudes Toward Enemies n b) vs. 40 n 40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also.

30. Attitudes Toward Enemies n c) vs. 41

31. Attitudes Toward Enemies n c) vs. 41 n 41And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.

32. Attitudes Toward Enemies n d) vs. 42

33. Attitudes Toward Enemies n d) vs. 42 n 42 Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.

34. Attitudes Toward Enemies n 5) Consider the following passages: Romans 12:17-21 and Hebrews 10:30.

35. Attitudes Toward Enemies n Romans 12:17-21 (NKJV) 17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”

36. Attitudes Toward Enemies n 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

37. Attitudes Toward Enemies n Hebrews 10:30 (NKJV) 30 For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.”

38. Attitudes Toward Enemies n 6) How would the Pharisees and others have defined neighbor and enemy as used in vs. 43?

39. Attitudes Toward Enemies n 6) How would the Pharisees and others have defined neighbor and enemy as used in vs. 43? n 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’

40. Attitudes Toward Enemies n 7) Did the Old Testament scriptures teach that you should hate your enemy? Be careful not to give a quick answer. Read Exodus 23:4-5 and Psalms 139:20-22 and consider examples that might lead to an affirmative or negative answer.

41. Attitudes Toward Enemies n Exodus 23:4-5 (NKJV) – 4 “If you meet your enemy’s ox or his donkey going astray, you shall surely bring it back to him again. 5If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying under its burden, and you would refrain from helping it, you shall surely help him with it.

42. Attitudes Toward Enemies n Psalm 139:20-22 (NKJV) – 20 For they speak against You wickedly; Your enemies take Your name in vain. 21 Do I not hate them, O Lord, who hate You? And do I not loathe those who rise up against You? 22I hate them with perfect hatred;I count them my enemies.

43. Attitudes Toward Enemies n 8) What five commandments are given in vs. 44? Imagine the shock they produced in Jesus’ audience.

44. Attitudes Toward Enemies n 8) What five commandments are given in vs. 44? Imagine the shock they produced in Jesus’ audience. n 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you

45. Attitudes Toward Enemies n 9) Regardless of your answer in question 7, was Jesus teaching something that was radically different than what was practiced and believed before?

46. Attitudes Toward Enemies n 10) What beatitude character traits would be applied in obeying vs. 44?

47. Attitudes Toward Enemies n 10) What beatitude character traits would be applied in obeying vs. 44? n 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you

48. Attitudes Toward Enemies n 11) Could there be a connection between vs. 46-47 and vs. 20? What would have been the Pharisee’s attitude and behavior toward his enemy? Would he have felt righteous?

49. Attitudes Toward Enemies n 11) Could there be a connection between vs. 46-47 and vs. 20? What would have been the Pharisee’s attitude and behavior toward his enemy? Would he have felt righteous? n 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so?

50. Attitudes Toward Enemies n Matthew 5:20 (NKJV) – 20 For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.