Scripture reading – Matthew 19
Today’s Scripture reading (Matthew 19) begins with a question that has troubled many throughout the centuries and continues to be a cause of debate today. The issue of divorce was a matter of disagreement in Jesus’ day, and the Pharisees approached Him with hopes of pulling Him into the dispute (Matthew 19:1-12). We read, “The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him” (Matthew 19:3a).
Why tempt Christ? They were determined to discredit Him in the eyes of the public and diminish His following. To place Jesus at odds with the Law and their liberal interpretation of the Law concerning divorce, the Pharisees asked:
“Is it lawful for a man to put away [divorce] his wife for every [any] cause?” (Matthew 19:3b)
There were two schools of thought on Divorce in Jesus’ day. One school, Hillel, held a liberal interpretation of divorce and was adhered to by most 1st-century Jews. Hillel, a judge in Israel, taught that a man could divorce his wife for any reason. Yet, a woman was not permitted to divorce her husband. A second school, named Shammai after its founder, represented the conservative, unpopular view on divorce. Shammai argued that divorce was unlawful, except in the case of adultery.
There were two schools of thought on Divorce in Jesus’ day. One school, Hillel, held a liberal interpretation of divorce and was adhered to by most 1st-century Jews. Hillel, a judge in Israel, taught that a man could divorce his wife for any reason. Yet, a woman was not permitted to divorce her husband. A second school, named Shammai after its founder, represented the conservative, unpopular view on divorce. Shammai argued that divorce was unlawful, except in the case of adultery.
Divorce became a widespread practice among the Jewish people, and it seems that some Pharisees were guilty of multiple divorces (often for the most absurd reasons). In contrast, those same men refused to allow a wife to divorce her husband for any cause!
Wisely, rather than take the side of the adherents of Hillel or Shammai, Jesus answered the Pharisees’ question on marriage and divorce by directing them to the authority of the Scriptures (Matthew 19:4-6).
Biblical Principles and Precepts Define Marriage and Divorce
Divorce violates the Creator’s plan and design for man and woman. (Matthew 19:4)
Citing the writings of Moses, Jesus asked the Pharisees, “Have ye not read, that He which made them at the beginning made them male and female?” (Matthew 19:4; Genesis 1:27; 2:24)
Divorce violates God’s design for marriage, which is “one flesh” (Matthew 19:5).
A man is commanded to leave his father and mother and “cleave to his wife” (Matthew 19:5-6a). Thus, a man’s covenant with his wife overshadows all human relationships. A man and woman come together as two distinct lives; however, as husband and wife, they are “one flesh,” physically, emotionally, and spiritually (Matthew 19:6).
Divorce violates the sanctity of marriage.
God decreed what He “hath joined together, let not man put asunder” (Matthew 19:6b). It was God’s design and His command that what He “joined (or yoked) together,” no man, court, or judge had the power or authority to “put asunder” (meaning to separate).
The Pharisees’ Defense of Divorce (Matthew 19:7)
The Pharisees disregarded Jesus’ appeal to consider the Scriptures as their authority in divorce. They asked: “Why did Moses then command [charge; order] to give a writing [certificate; bill; paper] of divorcement, and to put her away [dismiss; divorce]?” (Matthew 19:7) They were not interested in God’s standard, design, or plan for marriage. They looked to justify their sin and diminish the sanctity of marriage. They suggested Moses as a defense for their distorted interpretation of divorce (Deuteronomy 24:1-4).
Jesus Affirmed the Sanctity of Marriage (Matthew 19:8-10)
Jesus answered their question, rebuked and exposed their wickedness as a violation of God’s will and design for marriage (Matthew 19:8). Leaving no room for ambiguity, He spoke plainly: “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” (Matthew 19:9).
Divorce was never God’s plan, and the only grounds for divorce is for “fornication” (i.e., inappropriate sexual conduct with anyone who is not one’s spouse, Matthew 19:9a).
Closing thoughts –
Soon after Jesus’ debate with the Pharisees concluded, the disciples came to Jesus. Reflecting on the only exception for divorce was fornication, they said, “If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry” (Matthew 19:10). Having lived in a culture where divorce was accepted, perhaps the disciples felt restricting the grounds for divorce to fornication was so intolerable that it would be better not to marry.
Jesus answered their assertion that few men might live alone as a single man (i.e., eunuchs). He identified only three exceptions: Men who were born eunuchs (probably a congenital disability, Matthew 19:12a). Men who were made eunuchs due to castration (often required of men who served in king’s palaces, Matthew 19:12b). Finally, men whose lives were so devoted to the LORD that they chose to dedicate themselves wholly to serving“the kingdom of heaven’s sake” (Matthew 19:12c) and live a celibate life apart from the burdens and concerns of pleasing a wife (1 Corinthians 7:32-34).
Remembering that God’s purpose and design for marriage was companionship, our Creator observed Adam and said, “It is not good that the man should be alone” (Genesis 2:18). God, therefore, made one woman for one man (Genesis 2:22). Adam and Eve became “one flesh.” Their union was designed to be inseparable (Genesis 2:24).
Lesson: The LORD witnesses all covenant vows of marriage, and divorce rejects His plan and design for humanity (Malachi 2:14).
Copyright © 2024 – Travis D. Smith
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