The Problem of Divorce
Introduction: Marriage and divorce are always burning
questions, extremely controversial within societies heavily influenced by
Christianity. What are said today are
not my words or opinions but what Jesus said.
I.
The two
views on divorce
A. There are two views that were then and even
now.
1. The closed view that says divorce is never
allowed by God.
a.
This view
of thought was of the Shammai School, very conservative.
2. The more open view that said if there was a
rife that could not be resolved, divorce is acceptable.
a.
This
school of thought was the liberal Hillel School.
B. The religionist, the Pharisees, were trying to
entrap Jesus,
1. To entrap Him, they thought it would hinder or
stop His ministry.
C. Note several things:
1. There has always been a reluctance to express a
difference of opinion, when a great number hold a particular position.
a.
Take for
instance, slavery, smoking, drinking, gambling, cards, movies, television,
dancing
2. Now, is it wrong to face these issues of
marriage and divorce?
a.
No matter
what opinions are prevalent?
b.
There are
always many divorced people
c.
Remember
this, most of them are in need of spiritual help.
d.
If God’s
people don’t open their hearts, who will?
3. Many of these marriages face serious difficulty.
a.
Hardness
and cruelty
b.
Physical
and mental abuse that tear away
c.
No matter
which is at fault, help is needed
4. Note what Jesus did. He did not hesitate to
speak up and teach.
a.
We have to
remember that this was a very controversial issue in that day.
1.
Jesus saw
divorce as hardness of heart, Vs 5.
2. Jesus saw marriage as God’s way since
creation. Vs 6
3. Jesus saw marriage as the most precious bond, a
bond that cleaves. Vs 7
4. Jesus saw marriage as the closest of human
bonds, two becoming one flesh. Vs 8
5. Jesus saw true marriage as a divine, spiritual
bond wrought by God. Vs 9
6. Jesus saw divorce and remarriage as
adultery Vs 10-12.
II.
Jesus
begins to minister in Judea Vs. 1-2
A. Crowds still flocked to see and hear Him.
1. The religionist was still trying to discredit
and stop His ministry.
2.
They had
one gigantic issue to entrap Jesus with, divorce.
3.
Reason:
The Romans may take away their positions if another shows much authority.
B. A closer look at the two schools of
thought. Vs 2-4
1. We have to remember that in Jesus day divorce
was very common; very loose morals.
2.
Moses said
a man could divorce his wife if: “She
finds no favor in his eyes, because he has found some uncleanness in her.
Deuteronomy 24:1
3.
Because of
the varied views, divorce was rampant in Jesus’ day.
C. Jesus’ answer to the Pharisees Vs 6
1. God made them male and female, not males and
females.
2.
God made
one each made for each other, not anyone else.
3.
Vs 7 Man
shall cleave to his wife, create a new family.
4.
Leave
father and mother and become as one. Vs 8
5.
Not two or
three person, but they are one.
6.
“What God
joins together, let not man separate.”
7.
What God
joins together, they are one, not two, and no one can cut asunder. Vs 9
III.
Jesus saw
divorce as hardness of heart. Vs 5
A. Moses in the Old Testament only ‘permitted’
divorce.
1. Man could have as many wives as he wanted.
a.
They were
just property to do with as he desired.
b.
Man’s
heart was hard toward women.
2. Old Testament required a “written contract of
divorce.
B. What Jesus saw in divorce was hardness of
heart.
1. Divorce was a concession, not the will of God.
2.
Divorce
was allowed only because man’s heart was hard, that is sin.
3.
Divorce
was never willed and was not the purpose of God.
IV.
Jesus saw
marriage as God’s way since creation. Vs 6
A. “From the beginning of creation God made them
[adam and Eve] male and female.
B.
Three
points Jesus made.
1. God did not make man and woman plural.
a.
God did
not make males and females, but one for each other.
2. Animals were created en masse, to be together
with any and many.
a.
Man and
woman were created differently and distinctive.
b.
Created as
spiritual beings, much higher than animals.
c.
The truth:
God created all animals en masse:
1. Then God made man and woman, one with one,
created to be together..
V.
Jesus saw
marriage as God’s way since creation. Vs 6
A. Genesis 2:24, Cleaving and leaving, several
truths:
1. One man shall cleave to one wife to create a
new family.
2.
Man leaves
his father and mother, leaving is permanent.
3.
Cleaving
means a spiritual union given by God.
4.
Husband
and wife are not to divorce one another.
a.
When a man
leaves family, he is to “cleave to his wife”
b.
In this
statement there is no hint of separation.
c.
Divorce
tares down the structure of the family.
5. Father – mother – child – family – then just
father and mother
1. This is for life
VI.
Jesus saw
marriage as the closest of human bonds.
Vs 8
A. This is as two becoming one flesh.
1. Cleaving, spiritually by God moulds two into
one.
a.
By God,
they are meshed into one being.
b.
They are
into one another, one body, one flesh, one person.
2. Husband and wife, not joined by two, three or
four persons.
3.
The power
of God is enormous when a couple obeys God.
a.
God
cleaves them together as one person.
VII.
Jesus saw
marriage as divine. Vs 9
A. A spiritual bond wrought by God
1. It is the “cleaving husband and wife” who are
joined by God.
2.
Cleaving
is not just meaning to hold by contact, or sex.
a.
Only God
binds spiritually
3. Note: 1. Cleaving, 2. one flesh, physical
union, 3. what God has joined together, spiritual union
a.
God
rewards obedience, not disobedience.
4. No one can cut asunder what God puts together.
5. Ephesians 5:25-32, Christ and the believer
VIII.
Jesus saw
divorce and remarriage as adultery. Vs 10-12
A. Only one clear reason for divorce, adultery.
1. Remarriage commits adultery.
B. Before Christ adultery was punishable by death.
1. Divorce was allowed if no alternative could be
reached.
C. Jesus makes clear in Matthew 19:8-12
1. Divorce is NOT God’s will
2. Men rebel at the strictness of Christ’
marriage.
3. How many truly cleave, to love 100% as one’s
self?
4. There must be a death to self in order to
cleave and be one flesh.
5. A new life, spiritually joined, glued together
by God supernaturally.
Conclusion:
Restoration: only God knows the truth of a marriage. Man and woman can fake it. To make a marriage they are to be
together as one, not separate. Cleaving
is only possible as each allows God to join them together into a spiritual
union of marriage