A biblical passage many pastors seem to avoid is truly a troubling one. Part of the reason for avoidance is the fact that what Jesus is teaching is hard to swallow. Granted many of our Lord's statements could cause his opponents eyes to roll. The passage I speak of is found over in Matthew 19:8 - 9: "Jesus replied, 'Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery'"(NIV, bolding added).
In the Old Testament women essentially had no rights. As a result the
re was concern that if a woman was in a marriage where she was not wanted, there was the possibility of harm that would come to her. Divorce, then, in certain instances was allowed. Although there were numerous cases of polygamous relationships in the Old Testament, that was a far cry from what God had intended marriage to be: a life covenant between a man and a woman.
re was concern that if a woman was in a marriage where she was not wanted, there was the possibility of harm that would come to her. Divorce, then, in certain instances was allowed. Although there were numerous cases of polygamous relationships in the Old Testament, that was a far cry from what God had intended marriage to be: a life covenant between a man and a woman.By the time Jesus is quoted by Matthew, the Pharisees were questioning the inception of the divorce laws. It is at this juncture that Jesus gives us the so-called "loop hole": if a spouse has committed adultery, the innocent party may remarry. However, the reason for this option was the phrase - "hardness of heart". What is that?
The term "hardness of heart" is the Greek word sklerokardia which translated "the foreskin of he heart" referring to the phrase in Jer. 4:4. We see in the Scriptures the use of "hardness of heart" to refer to giving over to an attitude that was inclined to oppose God, such as the Pharaoh in Egypt in Ex 4. Later on the application was used in relation to the marriage covenant. It is this later meaning we are addressing.
Consequently, in order for a person(s) to contemplate divorce, there is a good chance of circumstances that have occurred that have devalued the relationship in the eyes of the couple.
One of the most selfish things a mate may do to his/her spouse is to be unfaithful. Having counseled many couples through the years who have suffered through the agony of adultery is far from the magic Hollywood portrays sordid lifestyles to be. The needless fall-out also deeply effects children and extended family members.
Nevertheless, when the mate who was sinned against allows God's healing to do the work of uncovering their heart, God's grace is truly actualized. No where in Scripture have I ever come across any passage that mandates a couple who have experienced adultery must divorce. If you doubt that, you may want to review Hosea who married Gomer, a hooker who plied her trade as a prostitute after they were married. Yet, God wanted Hosea to experience what exactly it was like to have your covenant partner be unfaithful as His people were. And Hosea's redemptive love for Gomer is analogous to God's love for His own people.
The dilemma is tough. One of the most heart wrenching things is to hear accounts of people who have had their mates commit adultery. The incredible thing, however, is seeing people who God has turned around as evidenced by their change in mind, heart and action. (That is what we used to call repentance.) If we trust God to lead our lives, to heal us when we are ill, and be the One to go to when our world is crumbling, is there anything askew with trusting Him to turn an errant mate around?
No comments:
Post a Comment