1 Corinthians 7:10
Marriage was designed by God for a bigger purpose than just itself. Marriage is a depiction of our relationship with God and Christ’s relationship with the church. Just as we are called to love, study, know and respect our God, we are also to do the same in our relationship with our spouse. As such, our marriage relationship becomes one way we can glorify God here on earth. (That doesn’t mean all Christians must get married. God calls people to the single life for important purposes as well).
But what about couples who get a divorce? First we should remember God says, “I hate divorce,” not to hurt those already suffering from broken marriages but to reprimand unfaithful spouses. Malachi 2:14 says, “The LORD was witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been faithless, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant.” The religious teachers asked Jesus, “Is it lawful to divorce one’s wife for any cause?” (Matthew 19:3). Jesus answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate” (Matthew 19:4-6). Jesus then noted that the Law had allowed divorce only because people had a “hardness of heart” and were bent on doing what they wanted anyway. Please remember divorce was never part of God’s original design (Matthew 19:8).
So why would God say he hates divorce? Well, divorce is destructive, not only to the souls and lives of the couple, but to friends, family and children, if they have any. God hates the pain of divorce. God in his infinite love for us, would never want divorce to tear us apart emotionally or physically. He knows the fallout and collateral damage divorce causes is sometimes irreparable. God’s directives aren’t meant to punish us but to protect us. (However, living in a miserable marriage where there is no peace is not part of God’s divine design either. Both destroy the example of a Christian marriage to those around them and bring no glory to God).
Every marriage has difficult seasons. I believe God will reward those who dig deep, work hard, ask for forgiveness, and keep trying again and again. It’s not always going to be pretty, but when you fight through challenges together, you are stronger on the other side. As Christians, we have the opportunity to live out God’s divine marriage design to those around us. We can lift our spouses up and let them know how important they are to us and God every day.
To those living with the repercussions of divorce or separation, know that God loves you and desires to heal the hurt in your heart and give you purpose and a hope. We have people and groups here to help you. The same is true of people struggling in their marriage. Please reach out, God wants to help and so do we.
Deb Hill
Executive Assistant