Divorce—A Christian Way?

[White Stone]

In the beginning, God instituted and blessed the first marriage of mankind—Adam and Eve. The Bible describes the union of the two as becoming one flesh.

Genesis 2:24 “That is why a man will leave his father and his mother and he will stick to his wife, and they will become one flesh.” ​

​

God intended the marriage between mates to be forever, it was originally the plan from the beginning. But since death has taken hold of mankind, the marriage is only valid until the death of the spouse.(Romans 7:2,3)

The marriage validity also changed when the Israelites made a concession that they could divorce their wives. Jesus Christ explains why God allowed the divorce:

Matthew 19:8 “He said to them: “Out of regard for your hard-heartedness, Moses made the concession to you of divorcing your wives, but that has not been the case from the beginning.”​

We can see here the perspective of the Lord Jesus. We can see also why Jesus is not in favor of divorce, because when Jehovah God allowed divorce, it was used for treacherous reasons.

Malachi 2:16 “For I hate divorce,” says Jehovah the God of Israel, “and the one who covers his garment with violence,” says Jehovah of armies. “And guard yourselves respecting your spirit, and you must not deal treacherously.”​

​

While under the Mosaic Law in mind, Jesus tells the Pharisees and those hearing him that you can’t divorce your spouse in any sort of grounds, but only when the spouse committed adultery.

Matthew 19:9 I say to you that whoever divorces his wife, except on the grounds of sexual immorality, and marries another commits adultery.”​

​

We have to remember that divorce was only made valid when the Mosaic Law come into effect, but as Jesus said: “. . .that has not been the case from the beginning.”(Matthew 19:8)

Now that Christians are not under the Law of Moses but under the Law of Christ, he made the law consisting of decrees—which includes divorce— invalid by nailing it to the stake.(Colossians 2:14; Ephesians 2:15) Thus, making the original plan of marriage restored in the New Covenant. And this reflects with the words of Jesus:

Mark 10:9 “Therefore, what God has yoked together, let no man put apart.” ​

 

[SusanB]

As they say, first comes the engagement ring, then the wedding ring and then the suffer-ring.

 

[DR74minus]

As they say, first comes the engagement ring, then the wedding ring and then the suffer-ring.

You're not saying that But? Or are you saying that you're a tiger for punishment? Nah just kidding.

 

[LuisMerino9412]

In the beginning, God instituted and blessed the first marriage of mankind—Adam and Eve. The Bible describes the union of the two as becoming one flesh.

Genesis 2:24 “That is why a man will leave his father and his mother and he will stick to his wife, and they will become one flesh.” ​

​

God intended the marriage between mates to be forever, it was originally the plan from the beginning. But since death has taken hold of mankind, the marriage is only valid until the death of the spouse.(Romans 7:2,3)

The marriage validity also changed when the Israelites made a concession that they could divorce their wives. Jesus Christ explains why God allowed the divorce:

Matthew 19:8 “He said to them: “Out of regard for your hard-heartedness, Moses made the concession to you of divorcing your wives, but that has not been the case from the beginning.”​

We can see here the perspective of the Lord Jesus. We can see also why Jesus is not in favor of divorce, because when Jehovah God allowed divorce, it was used for treacherous reasons.

Malachi 2:16 “For I hate divorce,” says Jehovah the God of Israel, “and the one who covers his garment with violence,” says Jehovah of armies. “And guard yourselves respecting your spirit, and you must not deal treacherously.”​

​

While under the Mosaic Law in mind, Jesus tells the Pharisees and those hearing him that you can’t divorce your spouse in any sort of grounds, but only when the spouse committed adultery.

Matthew 19:9 I say to you that whoever divorces his wife, except on the grounds of sexual immorality, and marries another commits adultery.”​

​

We have to remember that divorce was only made valid when the Mosaic Law come into effect, but as Jesus said: “. . .that has not been the case from the beginning.”(Matthew 19:8)

Now that Christians are not under the Law of Moses but under the Law of Christ, he made the law consisting of decrees—which includes divorce— invalid by nailing it to the stake.(Colossians 2:14; Ephesians 2:15) Thus, making the original plan of marriage restored in the New Covenant. And this reflects with the words of Jesus:

Mark 10:9 “Therefore, what God has yoked together, let no man put apart.” ​

I disagree because he specifically said that a person can divorce if one of the mates is unfaithful. Jehovah did that with Israel. He even spoke about that in the Scriptures.
I don't think that Jehovah feels good with people who mistreat or humiliates their mate either. That should not happen. I don't think He wants them to be tied to someone who beats or treats horribly his wife or her husband. That's horrible. He and Jesus spoke of that for the same reason. There were terrible injustices in Israel. Maybe they cannot divorce, but I think that separation is not a bad choice if horrible things like that happens.
It's horrible and sad, but for that same reason of thinking that they cannot divorce or separate some Jehovah's witnesses have even died killed by their husbands or humiliated by them, or vice-versa, husbands mistreated by their wives. I saw a documentary about that some years ago and it was very very horrible and very very sad. A man killed his wife and beautiful children being one of jws. I don't think that Jehovah would want one of His faithful ones to be close to someone who can kill them or will seriously affect their emotional and/or mental health including their self-esteem or value. Jehovah wanted women and men to be together so they could be happy and complement each other or fill voids or things they themselves alone cannot, not to be mistreated by someone else. That's horrible and sad. I've seen it with my eyes and it's very outrageous. It makes me feel angry and hurt and very sad every time I see it.

 

[Sunshower]

I agree with @LuisMerino9412 You can get divorced or separated when your life or those of your children is in danger. You just can not remarry while the abusive spouse is still alive. But divorce is definitely possible.

 

[White Stone]

. . .when your life or those of your children is in danger. You just can not remarry while the abusive spouse is still alive. But divorce is definitely possible.

Separation is the best way if that is the case. But divorce even on the grounds of domestic abuse is unscriptural. But I wouldn’t stop people if they go ahead, since each one of us will carry his load and face the judgment seat alone with God.

What I want to point is that divorce only come into play when the Mosaic Law came into effect. And we are not under that Law now, just as we do not marry to add another spouse as the Mosaic Law provided. Because if divorce is still allowed in the New Covenant, wouldn’t polygamy also? But that is not the case since the Old Covenant has been nailed to the stake. Thus, the monogamy is restored and divorce made invalid in the New Covenant.

Remarriage though surely is an option when the spouse dies.

 

[White Stone]

As they say, first comes the engagement ring, then the wedding ring and then the suffer-ring.

Marriage was supposed to be a happy and sacred union between mates. But because of the world we live in, in order to have that union, one must follow God’s commandments faithfully.

 

[Zane]

(Mark 10:9) What God has yoked together, let no man put apart.

How do you think God yokes two people together? Is it with that piece of paper we call a marriage certificate? Are the vows or promises two people exchange the means God uses to yoke them together?

I remember being told several years ago by a promiscuous worldly fellow that he avoided virgins. He didn't want to be their first because afterwards they were too clingy and difficult to get rid of.

If you ask someone who has had multiple sexual partners about their first, they will tell you that there is still a spot in their heart for that first one (unless they were too intoxicated or drugged up to remember much, in which case no one holds that special place in their heart).

I am hypothesizing here that Jehovah yokes a husband and wife together with something He built into us when He created mankind. His purpose is for two virgins to fall in love and get married. When that plan is followed a strong foundation of love is activated when they have sexual relations for the first time.

It's not like seeing the sunset over an ocean for the first time, or tasting some exotic food for the first time, or riding your first roller coaster. Those are new and exciting memories, but an actual physical change doesn't occur within you when you experience those types of things for the first time. When you are with your first, something happens to your heart. A permanent bond of love is created for that person. Perhaps that's where the term "making love" comes from.

When someone decides to have recreational sex before marriage, not only do they lose their virginity, but they also lose a great gift from Jehovah. It is only with your first sexual partner that this happens. There are no do-overs. You don't get a second chance to have your first. That built-in yoking only happens the first time and it can't be transferred to someone else. And time doesn't re-set it either.

It's a sad thing when someone wastes that wonderful wedding gift from our heavenly Father on someone they aren't going to spend the rest of their life with. It's best to keep it safe until they get married and they will have an ingrained foundation of love that others who threw that gift away don't have in their marriage. It will make the love they share deeper than they can imagine, and will help them through those difficult or troubled times in their marriage that the yoke-less don't have in their marriage (which attributes to the high divorce rate).

Virginity is not the frivolous thing that the world makes it out to be. It is the yoke that God binds us together with. At least that's my theory.

So, yes: "What God has yoked together, let no man put apart."

 

[kirmmy]

I remember being told several years ago by a promiscuous worldly fellow that he avoided virgins. He didn't want to be their first because afterwards they were too clingy and difficult to get rid of.

There's a lot of interesting in your post and I think you've got a really strong understanding of the subject matter. I enjoyed your comment.

I had a friend as well who was a horn-dog in the world before he came into the truth. He said the same thing but it was because he didn't think it was his right to take their virginity. He was raised in the truth and left for his youthful years so that may have had something to do with it. Or maybe it was for the reason you mentioned in your example but he didn't want to admit it. I think deep down he knew he was soiling something pure and good and avoided it.

It's truly amazing how Jah has built us and it is another nail in the coffin for evolution, IMO. If you think of the naked logic of evolution, why in the world would you have the mechanism you described??? You wouldn't. Evolution would argue; mate, have children and be damned with anything else. Of course, there's probably some smart-ass evolutionary biologist that has an explanation for it, even if it doesn't make much sense.

 

[SusanB]

(Mark 10:9) What God has yoked together, let no man put apart.

How do you think God yokes two people together? Is it with that piece of paper we call a marriage certificate? Are the vows or promises two people exchange the means God uses to yoke them together?

I remember being told several years ago by a promiscuous worldly fellow that he avoided virgins. He didn't want to be their first because afterwards they were too clingy and difficult to get rid of.

If you ask someone who has had multiple sexual partners about their first, they will tell you that there is still a spot in their heart for that first one (unless they were too intoxicated or drugged up to remember much, in which case no one holds that special place in their heart).

I am hypothesizing here that Jehovah yokes a husband and wife together with something He built into us when He created mankind. His purpose is for two virgins to fall in love and get married. When that plan is followed a strong foundation of love is activated when they have sexual relations for the first time.

It's not like seeing the sunset over an ocean for the first time, or tasting some exotic food for the first time, or riding your first roller coaster. Those are new and exciting memories, but an actual physical change doesn't occur within you when you experience those types of things for the first time. When you are with your first, something happens to your heart. A permanent bond of love is created for that person. Perhaps that's where the term "making love" comes from.

When someone decides to have recreational sex before marriage, not only do they lose their virginity, but they also lose a great gift from Jehovah. It is only with your first sexual partner that this happens. There are no do-overs. You don't get a second chance to have your first. That built-in yoking only happens the first time and it can't be transferred to someone else. And time doesn't re-set it either.

It's a sad thing when someone wastes that wonderful wedding gift from our heavenly Father on someone they aren't going to spend the rest of their life with. It's best to keep it safe until they get married and they will have an ingrained foundation of love that others who threw that gift away don't have in their marriage. It will make the love they share deeper than they can imagine, and will help them through those difficult or troubled times in their marriage that the yoke-less don't have in their marriage (which attributes to the high divorce rate).

Virginity is not the frivolous thing that the world makes it out to be. It is the yoke that God binds us together with. At least that's my theory.

So, yes: "What God has yoked together, let no man put apart."

Nice thinking. I agree.

 

[SusanB]

You're not saying that But? Or are you saying that you're a tiger for punishment? Nah just kidding.

My grandfather used to say ”with every pleasure comes pain”. I enjoy being married to Medi-Tator except when I don’t enjoy it. I would be lying if I said marriage was all fun and bliss. Sometimes it is and sometimes it isn’t. But it makes a great life choice with the right partner.

 

[SusanB]

And I should clarify that my marriage is overwhelming wonderful but nothing in this system comes without compromise.

 

[DR74minus]

My grandfather used to say ”with every pleasure comes pain”. I enjoy being married to Medi-Tator except when I don’t enjoy it. I would be lying if I said marriage was all fun and bliss. Sometimes it is and sometimes it isn’t. But it makes a great life choice with the right partner.

Not sure bout the pleasure pain but?

 

[SusanB]

Not sure bout the pleasure pain but?

Just attempting some humor