Richard Inegbedion

I want to tackle this sensitive topic with care, acknowledging the emotional weight it carries for many. My goal is to provide clarity and comfort, rather than adding to the pain of those who have experienced divorce.

To begin, it’s essential to recognize that divorce itself is not a sin. When navigated in a way that honours God, it can be considered acceptable. While some may hold differing views, I’d like to explore key biblical passages that shed light on this topic.

Let’s start with Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman in John 4:16-18. Instead of condemning her multiple marriages, Jesus showed compassion and understanding. This exchange sets the tone for our approach to divorce, highlighting two crucial lessons:

1. Jesus didn’t condemn the woman for her marital mistakes.
2. He chose not to judge her for living with someone who wasn’t her husband.

This encounter provides valuable insight into Jesus’ perspective on divorce and remarriage. While I’m not advocating for divorce, I believe couples should strive to work towards a successful marriage. Divorce can have devastating consequences, including decreased happiness, economic instability, and emotional turmoil. Seeking guidance before deciding on a partner and seeking professional help or spiritual counselling through prayer can be crucial in avoiding potential pitfalls.

Now, let’s delve into the Bible’s perspective on divorce. In Malachi 2:16, God expresses His dislike for divorce, emphasizing the ideal of a harmonious union between a man and a woman. Jesus’ words in Matthew 19:4-6 remind us of our moral obligation to seek biblical guidance on matters like divorce.

The Bible’s first recorded mention of divorce is found in Deuteronomy 24:1-4. This passage provides specific guidance on divorce, establishing clear instructions for the Israelites. The purpose of a divorce certificate was not only to end the union, but also to protect the woman’s rights and provide her with the freedom to remarry.

The issue of divorce has long been a subject of contention, with scholars and religious leaders weighing in on the matter. Even before Jesus’ time, a heated debate raged between the schools of Hillel and Shammai regarding the grounds for divorce.

According to the Jewish Encyclopedia (1901), the school of Shammai believed that divorce should only be granted in cases of sexual immorality, citing Deuteronomy 24:1 as support. In contrast, the school of Hillel held that a husband could divorce his wife without providing any reason, citing any act of displeasure as sufficient grounds.

Jesus later addressed this issue, surprising the Pharisees with a differing perspective. As recorded in Matthew 19:3-9, He emphasized that divorce should only be considered in cases of sexual immorality. Jesus also stressed the importance of lifelong marriage, highlighting God’s original intention for couples to unite as one.

The Pharisees then asked Jesus why the Torah permitted divorce. He explained that Moses allowed divorce due to the “hardness of human hearts” (Matthew 19:8), implying that divorce was a concession to humanity’s fallen nature, rather than God’s original intent. Jesus’ stance aligned with Shammai’s teachings, emphasizing that divorce and remarriage, except in cases of sexual immorality, constitute adultery. This teaching parallels His emphasis on moral integrity and inward obedience in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7).

In contemporary society, various reasons are recognized as grounds for divorce, including infidelity, conflict, financial stress, and lack of respect. However, Jesus taught that sexual immorality is the sole grounds for divorce, stating, “Whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.” Sexual immorality can take various forms, including adultery, fornication, and other behaviours deemed immoral within a given societal or cultural context. This definition provides a framework for understanding Jesus’ teachings on divorce and sexual immorality.

Moses’ instructions to the Israelites regarding divorce are also noteworthy. He stated that a man could divorce his wife if she was “unclean.” While this term typically referred to ritual impurity, it’s possible that in this context, “unclean” served as a metaphor encompassing various forms of moral impurity, including sexual immorality.

Yahusha’s (Jesus’) teachings on divorce reveal His opposition to the practice, while acknowledging its intricacies and repercussions. He highlighted the potential stigma faced by a divorced woman, who could be considered an adulteress if she remarries, unless the divorce was due to her immorality.

Throughout history, the interpretation of Yahusha’s (Jesus’) statement has been subject to diverse perspectives. Translation inaccuracies may have arisen from the linguistic and cultural gap between the original scriptures (written in ancient Hebrew and Aramaic) and the modern Bible’s translation from Koine Greek.

Relying on Yahusha’s original words, various theories emerge, underscoring the complexity of interpreting ancient texts in a modern context. One theory suggests that if a man divorces his wife for any reason apart from adultery, she may suffer reputational damage and be perceived as an adulteress. Another theory proposes that Yahusha (Jesus) meant that an unjustified divorce would unjustly tarnish the wife’s reputation, implying that divorce is only justified if the wife had already demonstrated adulterous behaviour.

To better understand the context, it’s essential to recognize that divorced women in biblical times faced significant challenges. The patriarchal society of the era gave men more power and influence, as seen in Number’s 3:40. Women’s independence was limited, and marriage was often necessary for financial security and family support.

Consequently, divorce left women vulnerable, without financial means, and facing difficult choices. This societal reality likely prevailed during the Old Testament era. Despite varying interpretations surrounding Yahusha’s (Jesus’) words, God’s intention for marriage is clear: a lifelong, committed union between husband and wife.

My Take

From biblical passages about divorce and remarriage, we can draw the following key insights:

1. The Bible teaches that divorce is not part of God’s original plan for humanity. Instead, husbands and wives should strive to build a harmonious and successful marriage.
2. In cases where a marriage becomes unviable due to sexual immorality, such as adultery, divorce may be considered. In such instances, the husband should initiate the divorce process by providing his wife with a certificate of divorce, allowing her to remarry.
3. Prayer is essential for couples seeking to build a strong and harmonious marriage, aligning with God’s intentions for husband and wife.

May God guide and strengthen your union, and may your relationship continue to flourish under His loving care.