Biblical Divorce & Remarriage

Now a harlot is not your wife, but yet you can be one flesh with her. The reverse is also true for a wife with a male prostitute. So, what makes a marriage? Malachi 2:14 has the answer,

. . . wife of your youth . . . she is your companion and your wife by covenant. (NASB) Malachi 2:14

The word “covenant” means “commitment” or “vow.” That is, God designed marriage to be a life long commitment between a man and a woman. That was the message God sent to Adam and Eve,

For this cause a man shall leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and they shall become one flesh. (NASB) Gen. 2:24

The Hebrew word for “cleave” is DABAQ. It has the idea of being super-glued together. This is the stuff that marriage is made of - commitment.

Marriage is also friendship between a man and a woman. The Hebrew word for “companion,” HABERET, is a special word. It has the idea of being a “magical friend.” Did you know your wife or your husband is your magical friend? God intended for your spouse to be your magical friend. Marriage should be a friendship.

Conclusion. If you are struggling in your relationship with your spouse, start by confessing your sin to God first and then to your spouse. Remember the beatitudes - memorize them! “Blessed are the gentle. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.” “Blessed are the merciful.” “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” Spend many hours in the Word of God and every day ask God’s Holy Spirit to take control of your life. And do not wait until the marriage is in real trouble to seek a counselor.

Maybe you are already divorced and wondering what God thinks about you. Your heart may be in pain realizing you have sinned. Unfortunately, the consequences cannot be removed, but God will forgive you. 1 John 1:9 says that He is faithful and just to forgive - we just need to confess our sin. And,

As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. (NASB) Psalm 103:12

We who are Christians need to love and encourage those who have sinned. Jesus gave us the example in John 8:3-7,

And the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, and having set her in the midst, they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act . . . But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” (NASB) John 8:3-7