Divorce is a hard subject, one that stirs deep emotions and raises challenging questions. For those who have experienced it or witnessed its impact on loved ones, its pain is undeniable. Yet, amidst the turmoil, we have to consider what does the Bible say about divorce? Through Scripture, we see His profound love for marriage, His grief over broken vows, and His call to faithfulness. This post explores the Biblical view of divorce, drawing from key passages in Malachi, Matthew, and Proverbs to illuminate God’s heart and guide us through this complex issue. Please note this is a general view of the subject and I am not addressing divorce because of abuse or abandonment in marriage. I will do that in a later post.
God’s Grief Over Broken Vows in Malachi
The prophet Malachi delivers a piercing rebuke in Malachi 2:13-16, confronting the people of Israel—husbands and even priests—for their casual disregard of marriage. These men were divorcing their wives, treating sacred vows as disposable. Malachi 2:13 paints a vivid picture: “And this second thing you do. You cover the Lord’s altar with tears, with weeping and groaning because he no longer regards the offering or accepts it with favor from your hand.” The Amplified version expands this: “And this you do with double guilt; you cover the altar of the Lord with tears [shed by your unoffending wives, divorced by you that you might take heathen wives], and with [your own] weeping and crying out because the Lord does not regard your offering anymore.” Neglected wives wept at God’s altar, heartbroken by cruelty, while their husbands’ sacrifices were rejected. Why? Faithlessness in marriage disrupts our relationship with God. This echoes 1 Peter 3:7: “Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.”
Malachi 2:14 presses further: “But you say, ‘Why does he not?’ Because the Lord was witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been faithless, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant.” The husbands were seemingly surprised at God’s rejection, but Malachi reminds them that God Himself witnessed their marriage vows. Marriage isn’t just a human promise—it’s a covenant sealed by God. Verse 15 reinforces this: “Did he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union? And what was the one God seeking? Godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and let none of you be faithless to the wife of your youth.” This points back to God’s original design in Genesis 2:24: “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” Marriage is about oneness—spiritually, emotionally, and physically—a union meant to reflect God’s faithfulness and a covenant relationship. The question that comes is: How do you tear apart one flesh without violence?
Malachi 2:16 delivers the heavy truth: “For the man who does not love his wife but divorces her, says the Lord, the God of Israel, covers his garment with violence, says the Lord of hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not be faithless.” The Amplified version underscores it: “For the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I hate divorce and marital separation and him who covers his garment [his wife] with violence.” God hates divorce—not out of harshness, but because it shatters His beautiful plan, inflicting harm on husbands, wives, children, and the community of faith. In this case, some Israelites tried to justify their actions by citing the Mosaic law in Deuteronomy 24:1-4, but Malachi exposes their hearts. Claims like “God doesn’t want me married to this person” or “God brought someone better” don’t hold up—God doesn’t honor faithlessness.
Jesus’ Clarity on Marriage and Divorce: Matthew 19
Centuries later, Jesus confronts a similar tension in Matthew 19:3-9. The Pharisees approach Him with a trap: “Is it lawful to divorce one’s wife for any cause?” (verse 3). They’re referencing Deuteronomy 24:1-4, where Moses permitted divorce under certain conditions, fueling a debate. Some argued a man could divorce for any reason; others insisted only adultery justified it. Jesus sidesteps their game, redirecting them to God’s intent. In verses 4-6, He says, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” Jesus shifts the focus from divorce to marriage, recalling the first union of Adam and Eve. Marriage isn’t a flimsy contract—it’s a sacred bond God Himself unites, one He expects us to honor.
The Pharisees press Him in verse 7: “Why then did Moses command one to give a certificate of divorce and to send her away?” They misread Moses as promoting divorce, but Jesus corrects them in verse 8: “Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so.” Divorce wasn’t commanded—it was permitted due to human stubbornness, a “heart dried up, hard and tough.” Sometimes the offending spouse’s heart is hardened, refusing reconciliation. Other times, the wounded spouse won’t forgive, even when repentance is offered. Often, it’s both. But God never intended it this way—divorce is a concession to our brokenness, not His design or will.
Jesus then clarifies in verse 9: “And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.” He defines the exception: sexual immorality (encompassing all forms) is the only ground where divorce—and remarriage without sin—is permitted. Without this cause, remarriage is adultery because God still recognizes the original union. Yet, Jesus doesn’t mandate divorce even here—it’s allowed, not ordained.
Why God Hates Divorce
Proverbs 6:16-19 lists what the Lord despises: “haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.” Divorce aligns with this list. It breaks one of the most solemn vows a person can make, inflicting deep harm on spouses, children, the church, and its witness. Beyond the immediate pain, it can symbolize something darker—apostasy, a turning away from God Himself. God hates divorce because it contradicts His nature of steadfast love and covenant-keeping.
Conclusion: God’s Heart in Our Brokenness
Divorce is never God’s desire. He permits it in cases like sexual immorality because of our fallen state, but He doesn’t celebrate it. His heart is for marriage—a union of oneness, faithfulness, and godly legacy. For those navigating the pain of divorce, Scripture offers both conviction and comfort. God sees the tears, knows the hardness of hearts, and calls us to guard our spirits against faithlessness. Whether we’re upholding a marriage or seeking healing from its loss, His Word stands as a guide—pointing us back to His design and His grace.
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