1. God Hates Divorce
Mal 2:16 "For the LORD God of Israel says That He hates divorce,… NKJV
1. Failed to fulfill vows: Eccl. 5:4-6
2. Not His original intent: Matt. 19:8
3. Destroys home, church, nation
4. Always involves sin: Matt. 19:9
5. Abuse of the wife of thy covenant (God joined together: Matt. 19:6)
Mal. 2: “treacherously” 3 times

2. Women’s Rights Never heard of the tribe of “Dinah” Gen. 30:21
11th child of Jacob (from Leah)
Daughters of Zelophehad Num. 27:1-8
Restricted to marriage within tribe: 36:6-9
No provision made for divorcing a husband
Deut. 24:1-4 (“if” 1-3, “then” 4 command)
Possible in the N.T. Mark 10:12
1 Cor. 7:10-11 (sin: reconcile or remain unmarried)

3. To Protect Wives from Frivolous Divorces (Deut. 24:1-5)
Divorce was rampant (1st husband, 2nd)
No favor, some uncleanness (shameful) vague
Jesus: (Matt. 19:6) no divorce, one exception (9)
Three protective measures to restrain divorce:
1. Draft writ, give it to her, put her out
Give wife legal means to marry another
Requires time (husband can rethink decision)
2. No reclaiming wife after second marriage

4. Need To Stop Divorces “Marriage is the number one cause of divorce”
“Only way to avoid divorce, Never Marry”
Sinful cohabitation seen as world’s solution
Biblical solution to avoid divorce is for couples to have a happy, healthy, loving marriage
3. Protection for women against frivolous divorces is a preventative measure (Deut. 24:5)

5. Deuteronomy 24:5
When a man hath taken a new wife, he shall not go out to war, neither shall he be charged with any business: but he shall be free at home one year, and shall cheer up his wife which he hath taken.
New Wife: at the beginning of the marriage (time to turn infatuation into love)
Not go out to war: (lengthy physical separation)
Alexander sent men home to winter with new wives
Neither, charged with business: (mental distraction)
Man can feel fulfilled with accomplishments (Mars)
Woman needs communication, relationships (Venus)

6. Deuteronomy 24:5
When a man hath taken a new wife, he shall not go out to war, neither shall he be charged with any business: but he shall be free at home one year, and shall cheer up his wife which he hath taken.
Free (not carefree, not single, but no outside duties)
At home (place where wife is) I Pet. 3:7 “dwell with”
TV, internet, hobby, man cave…
One year (Time with wife) I Pet. 3:7 “Knowledge”
Many men divorce “strangers”
Deut. 24:1 “...it come to pass…” (Discovery?)

7. Deuteronomy 24:5
When a man hath taken a new wife, he shall not go out to war, neither shall he be charged with any business: but he shall be free at home one year, and shall cheer up his wife which he hath taken.
Bring happiness to NKJ
Give happiness to NAS
May rejoice with Catholic
To be happy with RSV, ESV
Man becomes happy with his wife (Prov. 5:18-19)
Through communication we learn to love and value