Scriptures on Divorce

Scriptures on Divorce

There are a number of scriptures on divorce in the Bible. However, it is not because God condones divorce as much as He understands the reality of divorce.

God Despises Divorce

First off, here are a few scriptures that show us that God despises divorce, and that, from the beginning, it has never been God’s intention that people divorce.

“And he answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you? And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away. And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept.” – Mark 10:3-5 (King James Version)

“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.

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.” – Malachi 2:15-16

I believe that God hates divorce for the following reasons:

Sin and self-centeredness is the source of it.

It destroys the foundation of a society, the home.

It defiles His creation.

It leaves children angry.

It leaves women destitute.

It hurts the chances of their being a godly seed. (Malachi 2:15)

It allows men to forsake their responsibilities.

It sends out a message that God’s power is not strong enough to unify a man and a woman.

It taints His creation.

God Only Regulated Divorce, He did Not Command It

Jesus was quick to point out that divorce was only regulated by God. It was never intended to be a part of the marriage experience. Jesus was adamant that divorce only exists because of sin and self-centeredness in the heart of man.

“Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.” – Matthew 19:6-8 (KJV)

God Reconfirms His View on Divorce

In I Corinthians 7, Paul dealt with the issues of fornication, divorce, and remarriage. In I Corinthians 7:9-11, he said,

“But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn. And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.”