PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)
NCE (English); Dip (Computer Studies);
ND/HD (Journalism); Dip, BA (Theology) MA, PhD.
DANGERS OF DIVORCE
MAIN
TEXT:
“The Pharisees also
came to Him, and saying to Him, is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for
just any reason? “And He answered and said to them, “have you not read that He
who made them at the beginning made them male and female, “and said, for this
reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and
the two shall become one flesh?”… Therefore, what God has joined together, let
no man separate”, (Matthew 19:3-6).
INTRODUCTION:
The debate on how to
interpret the Old Testament rules concerning divorce in the day of Jesus
forcefully became a point of challenge by the Pharisees who sought to accuse
Him of false teaching. During this time, various schools of thought held
different opinions on the matter. For instance, a famous rabbi named Hillel
taught that a man could divorce his wife if she did anything to displease him. Another
school of thought headed by Shammai limited grounds for divorce to marital
infidelity. Also, Moses in his teaching had endorsed the legality of divorce by
official documents, (Deu. 24:1-4).
The dispute took a center-stage when
the Pharisees tried to pull Jesus into it. However, Jesus clearly sided with
Shammai, but pointed much deeper, beyond the technicalities of divorce to God’s
original design for marriage, (Matt. 19:3-9). Jesus’ reaction points to the
fact that God says no, to divorce, (verse 4 and 8). Having said this, please
observe that;
DIVORCE
IS AN ACT OF REBELLION AGAINST GOD
Without mincing words, divorce, legal
or not legal, is an act of rebellion against God. This truth is based on the expression
of Jesus,… “What God has joined together, let no man not separate”… (Matt.
19:6). The position is further strengthened by the fact that divorce is not
God’s original plan in the institution of marriage, (verse 7). Also, biblical
indication shows that divorce is a product of man’s self-will and the abuse of Divine
Order, borne out of hardness of heart, (verse 8).
The foregoing implies that Christians
are not called upon to treat divorce as in the Mosaic legislation of (Due.
24:1-4). This was passed on by Jesus in His discussion in (Matt. 19:3-9), and
by it, He rules out such a practice from the Christian faith. In other words,
after Jesus had spoken as above, the Mosaic permission of divorce became a dead
letter. So, in keeping with the new order, the Christian;
i)
wife should by no human legislation separate
from the husband, unless she wants to remain un-married, and without sexual
intercourse, (I Cor. 7:10-11; Luke 16:18);
ii)
husband, likewise, should not divorce his
wife based on the same rule or principle, (verse 10:11; verse 18);
iii)
pastor should also be guided by the same
principle in checking out prospects for Christian wedding, (verses 10-11; verse
18); etc.
DIVORCE
PULLS ONE INTO VOILENCE
Malachi 2 verse 16 shows that God
hates divorce, and at the same time, reveals that a divorcee is a victim of
violence. This portends a serious problem that calls for urgent attention.
Divorce is the ending of a
relationship we call marriage. And, this involves two or more families,
probably with children and other relatives. Naturally, any disengagement from
such a tie is often greeted with violence. In fact, divorce incites bitterness
and rancor that could keep generational of off-springs at variance. This is why
it is important to guide against marital unfaithfulness (or anything) that
could lead to divorce, (Matt. 5:31). By this, therefore, the reader is advised
to take cognizance of the fact that God plans;
(i)
indissolubility of marriage against divorce,
(Matt. 19:8-9);
(ii)
marital faithfulness against infidelity in
marriage, (verse 9);
(iii)
harmony in marriage against separation and
violence, (Mal. 2:16; Matt. 19:6).
DIVORCE
IS SATAN’S INSTRUMENT OF DAMNATION
Please notice once
more that divorce is informed by man’s hardness of heart against God and His Word,
(Matt. 19:8). This, in turn leads to adultery, (verse 9). Recall also that in a
discourse titled, “Woes of Adultery”,
the writer biblically identified adultery as one of the sins that can bar one
out of the kingdom of God, (I Cor. 6:9-10). However, he pointed out that this
is where one fails to repent of it. Every sin is forgivable (including
divorce/adultery) as one repents and refrains from them. But, where one hardens
one’s heart or refuses to repent, God would have no option than to allow one
perish with such a sin, (Luke 13:3). Similarly, let it be remarked that a
divorcee who;
i)
hardens his or her heart against reconciling
with the spouse risks eternal condemnation, (Matt. 19:8; I Cor. 6:9-10);
ii)
lives in adultery wears Satan’s yoke that
could cost one the kingdom of God, (verse 9; Rev. 22:15);
iii)
seeks not the kingdom of God in repentance,
but lives in immorality bargains for eternity in the lake of fire, (matt. 6:33;
Rev. 21:8), etc.
In
conclusion, a keen reader of this gospel discourse
would have noticed that divorce has been depicted as an act of rebellion
against God, a scourge of violence, as well as, Satan’s instrument of
damnation. All these, portray the dangers of divorce which no one can escape
without taking heed to the Word of God. Here, repentance and reconciliation are
paramount. BE INFORMED
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