Mal 2:13-16 (KJV)

13) And this have ye done again, covering the altar of the LORD with tears, with weeping, and with crying out, insomuch that he regardeth not the offering any more, or receiveth [it] with good will at your hand.  14) Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet [is] she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.  15) And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.  16) For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for [one] covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.

As one of the most important institutions that the Lord established, marriage is a very important subject that Christians need to understand and honor.  In this series we will be looking at:

1. What we need to know about marriage to understand divorce.
2. The definition, allowance and purpose of divorce and allowance of remarriage.
3. The Biblical grounds for divorce (fornication).
4. The Biblical grounds for divorce (loss of favour).
5. The Biblical grounds for divorce (departure).
6. A Summary Of Our Study and Closing Thoughts

What does the Bible mean when it speaks of divorce?
Does God allow divorce?
If God allows divorce, what is His purpose in this allowance?
Does God allow remarriage following divorce?

Folks, these are very important and, in some ways, complicated questions that we are about to attempt to answer.  For some, our beliefs have been based upon a personal study of God’s Word and we have become convinced of our beliefs by the Holy Spirit.  It is to this group that I have a great deal of respect as you have sought to come to your conclusions based upon the Word and the leading of the holy Spirit.

There are many others who have simply accepted what they have heard taught about this complicated subject and have accepted the teachings of man without ever searching the Scriptures and becoming convinced of their beliefs by the indwelling Spirit of God.  To this group I would like to send a friendly reminder… we are all responsible to study these things on our own.  If we are saved and, therefore, have the Spirit of God within us we have the ability to understand these truths and be assured of their validity “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.  For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake [as they were] moved by the Holy Ghost.”  2Pet 1:20-21 (KJV)

It is of this spirit that I begin this study on this very difficult subject.  It is not to attempt to persuade anyone of my beliefs.  It is only to share with you what I believe God’s Word teaches us, with an understanding that you will pursue your own study of this subject and, through the leadership of the Spirit, come to your own convictions on this subject.  My one plea is for you to not continue to accept anyone’s beliefs (including my own) without doing your own, personal, study of this subject.

Far too often this subject has been confused and perverted, causing some to believe that which is not true.  There can only be one set of teachings that are true.  The existence of many different views on this subject proves that there is much false teaching that is being accepted as truth.

Let’s continue our study by attempting to answer some of the questions we have posed in the beginning paragraphs of this introduction.  I will be answering these questions as simply as possible by making reference to Bible verses and allowing them to speak for themselves.

THE SCRIPTURES:

Deut 24 1-4;  Mal 2:13-16;  Matt 5:27-32;  Matt 19:3-9;  Mark 10:2-12;  Luke 16:18;
1Cor 7:10-16;  1Cor 7:39-40

THE STUDY:

QUESTION #1 – What does the Bible mean when it speaks of divorce?

The Bible uses several different terms to describe divorce:

1. Divorcement –  This term helps us to understand that the divorce is the act of destroying, or removing the marital covenant resulting in the covenant being rendered void and going out of existence. Note some of the meanings of this term are : to destroy, to consume, and to remove.

OT – kriythuwth – to cut off, to destroy, to consume – Deu 24:1,3; Isa 50:1
NT – apostasion – to separate, to remove, to withdrawl – Matt 5:31; Matt 19:7; Mark 10:4

2. To put away – This term helps us to understand that once a divorce occurs each party is relieved of the obligations of that covenant.  Note some of the definitions of the term in relationship to the marital covenant… the covenant is “withdrawn”, the covenantal responsibilities are “forsaken” and “sent away”, the covenant is “undone”, “laid aside”, and “plucked away”.   The parties of the covenant are “loosed” from their responsibilities to fulfill the covenant.  They are “pardoned’ in the sense of released from further obligation.  They are given “leave” of their obligations.

OT – yatsa’ – to go out, to come out, to depart, to withdrawl, – Ezra 10:3, 19;
OT – shalach – to send away, to leave, to depart, to forsake – Isa 50:1; Jer 3:1;
OT – cuwr – to turn off, to lay aside, to be undone, to pluck away – Jer 4:1
NT – apoluo – to release, to loose, to pardon, to depart – Matt 5:31,32,19:3,8,9;  Mark 2:10,11,12; Luke 16:18,
NT – aphiemi – to send forth, to forgive, to omit, to leave – 1 Cor 7:11

3.  To put asunder – This term helps us to see that a divorce is placing a separation between the parties of the covenant.  Because the covenant is destroyed the relationship between the parties no longer exists… they are now “separated” from one another.  Before they were “united” and now they are “pulled apart” and “room is placed between them”.

OT – None
NT – chorizo – to pull apart, to separate, to place room between – Matt 19:6, Mark 10:9

4. To send out – This term used to express the act of the divorcer against the divorcee.  The one who decides the divorce (whether scriptural or not) is the one who is “pushing away” their spouse, they are “departing” from their spouse, it is as if they are “shooting out their spouse” from the relationship to which they had entered.

OT – shalach – to send away, to send out, to push away, to let depart, to shoot out – Deut 24:1,3

ANSWER:  Based upon our look at the terms for the act of divorce in the Bible we can find a very simple, yet, important definition for “divorce”….

Scripturally, divorce is the declaration that a marital covenant has been destroyed resulting in the removal of the obligations of the covenant and a separation of the parties who had been united by the covenant.  This act of divorce is based upon the actions and decisions of the parties of the covenant bringing upon them the responsibility for the rupturing of the marital union.

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QUESTION #2 – Does God allow divorce?

 Due to Loss of Favour (or Hatred)
Deut 24
1) When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give [it] in her hand, and send her out of his house.  2) And when she is departed out of his house, she may go and be another man’s [wife].  3) And [if] the latter husband hate her, and write her a bill of divorcement, and giveth [it] in her hand, and sendeth her out of his house; or if the latter husband die, which took her [to be] his wife;  4) Her former husband, which sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that [is] abomination before the LORD: and thou shalt not cause the land to sin, which the LORD thy God giveth thee [for] an inheritance.

Due to Fornication
Matt 5:27-32 (KJV)
27) Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:  28) But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.  29) And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast [it] from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not [that] thy whole body should be cast into hell.  30) And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast [it] from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not [that] thy whole body should be cast into hell.  31)  It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:  32) But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.
(Matt 19:3-9, Mark 10:3-12)

Due to Departure 
1Cor 7:10-16 (KJV)
10) And unto the married I command, [yet] not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from [her] husband:  11) But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to [her] husband: and let not the husband put away [his] wife.  12) But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.  13) And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.  14) For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.  15) But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such [cases]: but God hath called us to peace.  16) For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save [thy] husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save [thy] wife?

ANSWER:Based upon the above verses, in both Testaments, we find that divorce is allowed in some cases.  Those cases are “loss of favour”, “fornication”, and “departure”

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QUESTION #3:– What is God’s purpose in allowing divorce?

Matt 19:3-9 (KJV) – protection of the innocent – “hardness of heart”…
3) The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?  4) And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made [them] at the beginning made them male and female,  5) And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?  6) Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.  7) They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?  8) He saith unto them,  Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.  9) And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except [it be] for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery. (Mark 10:3-12)

Note the hardness of heart shown by  “finds no favour” and “hate her”
Deut 24
1) When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give [it] in her hand, and send her out of his house.  2) And when she is departed out of his house, she may go and be another man’s [wife].  3) And [if] the latter husband hate her, and write her a bill of divorcement, and giveth [it] in her hand, and sendeth her out of his house; or if the latter husband die, which took her [to be] his wife;  4) Her former husband, which sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that [is] abomination before the LORD: and thou shalt not cause the land to sin, which the LORD thy God giveth thee [for] an inheritance.

hardness of heart shown by  “dealt treacherously” and “violence” against spouse
Malachi 2
13) And this have ye done again, covering the altar of the LORD with tears, with weeping, and with crying out, insomuch that he regardeth not the offering any more, or receiveth [it] with good will at your hand.  14) Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet [is] she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.  15) And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.  16) For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for [one] covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.

ANSWER: God allows divorce to protect the hated party of the marital agreement from abuse and mistreatment due to the hardness (hatred) of a spouse’s heart.Malachi describes this as “dealing treacherously” with a person’s spouse. 

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QUESTION #4:–  Does God allow remarriage following divorce?

The allowance – she may go and be another man’s wife
Deut 24:1-4
1) When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give [it] in her hand, and send her out of his house.  2) And when she is departed out of his house, she may go and be another man’s [wife].  3) And [if] the latter husband hate her, and write her a bill of divorcement, and giveth [it] in her hand, and sendeth her out of his house; or if the latter husband die, which took her [to be] his wife;  4) Her former husband, which sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that [is] abomination before the LORD: and thou shalt not cause the land to sin, which the LORD thy God giveth thee [for] an inheritance.

The allowance – let him give her a writing of divorcement (this allowed her to remarry)…. That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery (if fornication is present, remarriage DOES NOT CAUSE ADULTERY)…
Matt 5:28-32
28) But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.  29) And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast [it] from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not [that] thy whole body should be cast into hell.  30) And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast [it] from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not [that] thy whole body should be cast into hell.  31)  It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:  32) But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.  (Matt 19:3-9)

The allowance – a brother or sister is not under bondage in such cases.
1Cor 7:10-16
10) And unto the married I command, [yet] not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from [her] husband:  11) But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to [her] husband: and let not the husband put away [his] wife.  12) But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.  13) And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.  14) For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.  15) But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such [cases]: but God hath called us to peace.  16) For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save [thy] husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save [thy] wife?

ANSWER:  In both Testaments, the Lord allows for remarriage following divorce in the cases of “loss of favour”, “fornication” and “departure”.

As we can clearly see, to understand the Bible teachings concerning divorce and remarriage we must come to an understanding of the Biblical grounds of “loss of favour”, “fornication” and “departure”.  As we continue our study we will be looking at which each one involves by taking a more detailed look at several of the passages we have referenced in this study.

SUMMARY:

What we have seen so far can be summarized as follows:

In lesson #1:
1. Marriage is a covenant relationship
2. The parties of the covenant are the husband and wife
3. God is the witness to the making of the covenant, He is not a party in the covenant
4. God as witness will hold each party accountable to keep the promise they made to each other.
5. Marriage is described as a “cleaving” and a “one-flesh” relationship
6. Both of these descriptions imply a closeness, unity and intimacy between the couple
7. The marriage union SHOULD NOT BE broken by man but CAN BE broken by man.
8. Man’s responsibility in a marriage union can be summarized as “to love” and “to nourish” and “to cherish” the wife
9. Woman’s responsibility in a marriage union can be summarized as “to be a help meet” and “to be a companion” to the husband.

In lesson #2:
1.   Divorce is the act of destroying, or removing the marital covenant resulting in the covenant being rendered void and going out of existence. The parties of the covenant are held responsible for the breaking of it.
2.   Divorce is allowed in cases of “loss of favour”, “fornication”, or “departure”
3.   God allows divorce to protect the innocent party from abuse and mistreatment.
4.   God allows for remarriage following divorce in the cases of “loss of favour”, “fornication” and “departure”

As we continue our study, we need to try to remember the above points about marriage and divorce.  In our next lesson we will be continuing to look at God’s teachings on divorce.

For a free copy of this series in book form pdf version: please go to: https://settledinheaven.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/mardivremprotected.pdf

For a free copy of this series in book form docx version: please go to: https://settledinheaven.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/mardivremprotected1.docx

Settled In Heaven Ministries Text Blog: https://settledinheaven.wordpress.com

He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous (Prov 2:7)

 Proverbs Concerning: Our Relationship To The Lord:  Prov 3:5-8 

5) Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6) In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

7) Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

8) It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.

INTRODUCTION:

After looking at proverbs that addressed our relationship with the Word of God (vs1-4), Solomon now shares with us proverbs that will enhance our relationship with the Lord…

EXPOSITION:

5) Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  6) In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
1.  Sincere, absolute reliance upon the Lord and His directions.
2.  Not leaning upon human discernment for guidance.
3.  In every area of life recognize His authority and His desires.
4.  He will graciously reveal the route which is to be traveled.
Depending upon the Lord’s will for life instead of fleshly reasoning, along with active submission to His will, facilitates His leadership for life.

“Thou wilt keep [him] in perfect peace, [whose] mind [is] stayed [on thee]: because he trusteth in thee.”  (Isaiah 26:3)
“O LORD, I know that the way of man [is] not in himself: [it is] not in man that walketh to direct his steps.”  (Jeremiah 10:23)
“I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.”  (Psalms 32:8)

7) Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
1.  Recognize the inability for self-guidance.
2.  Acknowledge His authority, ability, sinlessness and chastening hand.
3.  Lay aside wickedness.
Recognizing our helplessness and His absolute control and holiness should motivate us to put off sin.

“Woe unto [them that are] wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!”  (Isaiah 5:21)
“Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.What man [is he that] desireth life, [and] loveth [many] days, that he may see good?  Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.  Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.”  (Psalms 34:11-14)

8) It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
The results of keeping the above (vs 5-7) instructions…
1.  the person is made spiritually whole
2.  food for growth is supplied to his being
By doing all these things (vs 5-7) spiritual health and nourishment are attained.

“He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.”  (Psalms 147:3)

SUMMARY:

On of the great keys to having a close relationship with the Lord is recognizing who He is and who we are.  When we come to an understanding of His importance and our insignificance; His authority and our subordination; His capabilities and our inability, His wisdom and our foolishness, it is only then that we can begin to have a Scriptural, vibrant relationship with Almighty God.

May we all seek the Lord’s enabling grace to have a healthy, growing relationship with Him.

By God’s grace, let us all study these proverbs diligently, giving them the value that they deserve.

May the Lord bless us as we receive this sound wisdom and then “Think On These Things”.

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