FRIDAY, JUNE 23
1 Corinthians 7:10-11
Deuteronomy 24:1-4

"…and let not the husband
put away his wife."

CAN A CHRISTIAN DIVORCE? (II)

Matthew 19:4-6 says, "And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, 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? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." Since God is the one who put husband and wife together, He is the only One who can put them apart. And this occurs at the point of death. Husband and wife must remain together in holy matrimony – till death do them part. Christians must never divorce!

The Pharisees, refusing to give up, proceeded to trap Jesus further. "Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, to put her away?" (Matt 19:7). If Christians are not to divorce, why then is there a law concerning the bill of divorcement in Deuteronomy 24:1? Does this not prove that divorce is permitted by God?

Jesus answered, "…Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so" (Matt 19:8). The reason for the bill of divorcement was man’s "hardness" of heart. God intended the marriage to be joyful and permanent till husband and wife are separated by death. Sadly, man’s rebellion and wickedness defile marriages, causing hurt and damage to one or both parties, thus spoiling God’s original intent for marriage. Divorce is the result of the sin of man. It is not a desire of God. Thus, divorcement causes much shame though God allowed it under His Permissive Will. Husband and wife were never meant to be divorced in the eyes of God. They must come together and seek reconciliation in the Lord Jesus Christ.

THOUGHT: "Till death do us part."
PRAYER: Lord, may husbands and wives learn to love each other as each loves Thee.