Matt's Marriage, Divorce and Remarriage: Matt 5 & 19

Marriage was God's plan from the beginning. He designed us to marry one person for life. Mark presents God's model. His point: What God has put together man should not separate. Matt 19:3-12 is the parallel account of Mark 10.

Matthew, like Mark, begins with the Old Testament picture of divorce (Matthew 5.31). He continues with Jesus' statement, "But I say to you...", which became mandatory on mankind the historical Friday He died. You and I need to pay attention to verse 32.

Matthew, in both references, sets forth God's condemnation of man disjoining what He has joined. Divorce will lead someone into the sin of adultery. The man who sends the woman away sets her up to commit adultery (5:32).

Both Matthew accounts have the exception clause. The exception rests on one companion being sexually disloyal. The pivotal word in the exception clause is unchastity, according to the New American Standard Bible (NASB). The King James Version (KJV) uses fornication, and the New King James Verson (NKJV) uses sexual immorality. The original Greek Word means "1. illicit sexual intercourse a. adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, intercourse with animals etc. b. sexual intercourse with close relatives; Lev. 18 c. sexual intercourse with a divorced man or woman; Mk. 10:11,..." (StudyLight.org)

What is the point of this textual word study?

If one party of the marriage, "A", has any sexual intercourse outside of the marriage, then "B", the innocent party, struggles to make painful choices. "B" may choose:

• to forgive "A", getting a promise from "A" to join "B" in beginning the task of bolstering the battered relationship, or EDITED TO HERE
• to separate from "A" (or allow "A" to leave), never to consider another mate, or
• to divorce "A" (or allow "A" to initiate the proceedings), never to consider another mate, or
• to divorce "A" (or allow "A" to initiate the proceedings), leaving the option of another mate open for consideration at a latter time.

Because God, in the New Testament age, has chosen to include an exception clause for the sake of innocent parties, some innocent individuals may now remarry without any fear of God's wrath.

Yet even with the exception clause, there is no possible way to describe the continual sharp pain caused by a separation or divorce. Both parties will never be quite the same ever again.

And none of this discussion has looked at the monumental harm done to the children of a shattered family.

GOD KNOWS WHAT IS BEST and divorce is not an option.

- - - - - - - -

What are your comment or question? Type them in the box below. Next, make up a fake name or use your real name. Or you can be 'anonymous'. Click the button. Your done. I will get your ideas out to others ASAP.

You might want to visit TheStruggle on FaceBook and “Like” our page.

Thanks for reading.

Mark's Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage

You and I might look surprised. “What will I do with this question,” we ask ourselves. “If not answered well, people will think we are hard-liners, or spineless, or playing both sides of the fence,” we think.

http://www.ellenwhiteexposed.com/

Jesus didn't hesitate. What question was the test question this time?

Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife? It was a Pharisee question. Again, they were testing him.

Jesus followed his common practice. He turned it back to them. “What did Moses say,” He asked them.

They gave the standard answer any Jew of the first century would give. It said, “To write a certificate of divorce and send her away.” (Mark 10:4).

Jesus' response was one of explanation. “Yeah, because you are so hardhearted he gave you this command. But you remember, it was not the way God planned it. God 'made them male and female. For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother and the two shall be one flesh.'” (my version, Mark 10:6-8).

He added, “So, if God has put them together and made them one, man should not separate them.” (my version, Mark 10:9).

When the disciples were alone with Him, they ask more questions. He told them if he/she divorces a mate to marry someone else, someone commit adultery. (Mark10:10-12)

Is this the complete teaching on marriage, divorce, and remarriage? No.

But what is written should make everyone sit up and pay attention. Notice:

• Jesus was not a hard-liner, spineless or playing both sides. He said what God wanted, not his opinion.
• Jesus was not afraid of the question because He knew what God would say.
• He did not change the teachings of God's covenant with the Jews. He actually reinforced it.
• He pointed out a major problem: the hardheartedness of men. Man tends to do what he wants to do, regardless of God's wishes.
• God made the two into one.
• GOD PLANNED, from the beginning, FOR MARRIAGE TO BE PERMANENT. It was man who created divorce and remarriage, not God.

What should this cause us to do?

• We should take lots of time selecting our life-long mate. There is no hurry. If it is good, then you will have the rest of your lives together. It one of you is not a 'good fit' for the other, better to find it out now, before rather than after marriage.
• He does not authorize the 'trial arrangements'. He calls 'trial arrangements' by another name: fornication. Fornication will put both partners in hell (Gal 5:19-21).
• We must plan, and teach all children, marriage is meant for life with no 'do-overs'.

-------------------

Read more on the subject. Read Matt's Marriage, Divorce and Remarriage: Matt 5 & 19.

How about your comments and questions? Type them in the box below. Create a fictitious pseudonym, enter your actual name, or select anonymous. Click the button. I promise to be fair in my moderations, and post your thoughts quickly.