Divorce and Remarriage - Part I

1. Divorce Is on the Increase

We are told that in some western countries one in three marriages (or cohabiting couples who never officially got married in the first place) will end in breakdown, separation or divorce. Because this break-up rate (‘divorce’) is rapidly increasing the general public's opinion about divorce is also changing. No longer is divorce looked upon as a tragic failure on a couple's part, or the breaking of solemn vows. Divorce is now just one of those things. Comments such as this are common: ‘The couple meant well. They tried to make their marriage work, but failed. It’s happening all the time, all over the world: so what!’


This is by no means an isolated viewpoint. Many hold it and are now asking questions such as: If divorce is the likely end of so many marriages, should couples get married in the first place? What are the advantages of getting married? Bear in mind that the public's attitude towards marriage and divorce are crucial to the moral and economic welfare of a nation. If divorce is accepted by the masses without a qualm, soon every second marriage will end in divorce. What does the Almighty think about marriage: after all it was His idea in the first place. Yahweh’s opinion about marriage is:
Genesis 2:18: “It is not good for man to be alone.”

He instituted marriage at the creation of the world. But what does He think about divorce? The answer is: He absolutely detests divorce.
Malachi 2:14 - 16: “Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant. 15: And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth. 16: For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.”

We can see here that the Almighty God is against divorce or ‘putting away.’: He hates it.

2. Adultery and Fornication

Sad to say the reality of modern married life has turned out very different from the ideal God planned. All around we see broken marriages and families living in silent turmoil. Sexual confusion abounds, especially concerning adultery and fornication. Note the difference between the two:
Adultery is defined in the dictionary as ‘voluntary sexual intercourse of a married person with one of the opposite sex other than his/her spouse.’ The Old Testament Hebrew word for adultery is na’aph. The New Testament Greek word for adultery is Moicheuo..

Fornication 

Is  defined as ‘voluntary sexual intercourse between an unmarried couple.’ The Old Testament Hebrew word for fornication is taznuth. The New Testament Greek word for fornication is porneia. We note in the book of (Revelation) that fornication can be committed even when one of the parties is married. This is as true for married men as it is for married women. If they have sexual relations with a partner other than a spouse, then they are committing fornication.

• Revelation 2:20: “Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.  21: And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. 22: Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.”

Capital Offenses:

According to Scripture adultery and fornication are capital offences: they attract the death penalty. So they are very serious sins. Adultery and fornication are classified with sins such as kidnap, murder, rape, witchcraft and blasphemy.

Leviticus 20: 10: “And the man that committeth adultery with another man's wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.”

When ancient Israel was ruled by pagan emperors, whose officials and soldiers were often guilty of these very sins, Israel's puppet rulers were not allowed to carry out the death sentence on the guilty. As a result adultery, fornication, rape, witchcraft and blasphemy went unchecked. It is the same today. Most countries have removed the death sentence for these sins. Little wonder all these sins are on the increase.

Divorce and Remarriage By Tony Evans In a world where people can easily get a divorce, it often seems that ending a marriage is the only option. But how does God view divorce and remarriage? Exploring real-life issues and questions, Evans reveals three biblical purposes of marriage, the importance of a covenantal relationship, the power of forgiveness, and more. Paperback.

Continued On to ...Divorce & Marriage - Part II