Sermon on the Mount – Divorce in the Bible • FOUNDED IN TRUTH – Messianic Livestream

In this session from Founded in Truth Fellowship, Matthew Vander Els guides the congregation through a challenging topic within the Sermon on the Mount: divorce. He begins by acknowledging the inherent difficulty in interpreting scripture, emphasizing that the Bible is not a simple checklist but a source of wisdom requiring critical thinking and an understanding of individual circumstances. The sermon aims to delve into the complexities surrounding divorce within biblical teachings, a subject that has profoundly impacted countless lives and continues to be a source of division and pain.

The speaker cautions against a superficial reading of the Bible, using the example of Malachi 2:16, often quoted as “God hates divorce.” He points out that a literal translation of the Hebrew raises questions, such as God speaking in the third person and the unclear phrase “him who covers his garment with violence.” By examining footnotes and modern translations like the CSB, a different interpretation emerges: “The man who hates and divorces his wife,” says the Lord God of Israel, “does violence to the one he should protect.” This revised understanding highlights that it is the act of a man hating and then divorcing his wife without just cause that is condemned, rather than divorce in all circumstances.

To gain a proper understanding, the speaker stresses the importance of context, urging listeners to read the surrounding verses and the broader narrative. In the case of Malachi, the preceding verses reveal God’s displeasure with the men of Judah divorcing their wives for selfish reasons, lacking covenantal integrity. This misinterpretation of scripture has historically led to the condemnation of divorced individuals and the trapping of people in fractured or abusive marriages. The key takeaway here is that just because a verse is familiar does not guarantee it is being understood correctly.

Moving into the Torah, the speaker examines Exodus 21:10-11, a passage that outlines the minimum requirements a man must provide for his wife: food, clothing, and marital rights. These stipulations were particularly significant in a patriarchal society where women were often seen as property. The context of this verse involves a man taking a servant girl as a second wife, ensuring the first wife’s rights were not diminished. This passage establishes a standard for marriage that prioritizes the dignity and well-being of the wife. Failure to consistently provide these necessities constituted a breaking of the covenant, effectively ending the marriage, granting the woman freedom without any financial repercussions. This suggests that the violation of these fundamental marital obligations could be seen as grounds for the marriage to be considered ended.

Deuteronomy 24:1-4 is the other primary passage in the Torah addressing divorce. However, this section does not detail the grounds for divorce but rather discusses the procedure of divorce (writing a certificate and sending the wife away) and the rules regarding remarriage. The text mentions “some indecency” (ervat davar) as a reason for divorce, but it does not specify what constitutes indecency.

This ambiguity surrounding “some indecency” became a major point of debate in the first century, particularly between the schools of Rabbi Shammai and Rabbi Hillel. Rabbi Shammai took a narrower view, interpreting indecency as some form of sexual infidelity. In contrast, Rabbi Hillel adopted a much broader “any cause” view, suggesting that a man could divorce his wife for virtually any reason if she displeased him. This led to extreme interpretations, such as divorce for burning toast or talking too loudly.

Against this backdrop of differing interpretations, Jesus addresses the issue of divorce in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:31-32) and later in Matthew 19:3-12. In Matthew 5, Jesus states, “anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.” This introduces an exception clause, “sexual immorality,” which in Greek is “porneia.” However, the meaning of porneia itself is not precisely defined, potentially encompassing various forms of sexual unfaithfulness or even broader breaches of the marital covenant.

In Matthew 19, the Pharisees question Jesus, seeking his opinion on divorce for any cause, intending to trap him in the ongoing debate between the Hillelite and Shammaite schools. Jesus, instead of directly addressing Deuteronomy 24, refers back to Genesis 1 and 2, highlighting God’s original design for marriage as a lifelong union where two become one. He emphasizes the intention for humans to have a deep, loving connection and to rule and reign together as image bearers of God. Marriage, in its ideal form, reflects God’s covenant nature and should be built on love, mercy, forgiveness, and peace.

When the Pharisees point to Moses’ command regarding certificates of divorce (Deuteronomy 24:1), Jesus responds that Moses permitted divorce because of the hardness of their hearts, but this was not the original intention. He reiterates that divorce is permissible only in cases of sexual immorality (porneia), and remarriage after an unwarranted divorce constitutes adultery. The speaker emphasizes that the lack of a precise definition for porneia encourages careful consideration of the circumstances and the breaking of covenantal boundaries within the marriage. Porneia could potentially include neglect, abuse, or other fundamental violations of the marital oath outlined in Exodus 21.

The speaker concludes that Jesus is not providing a simple checklist for divorce but rather calling for a higher view of marriage as a sacred covenant. While not explicitly stating that divorce is never permissible outside of porneia, Jesus highlights the seriousness of breaking this covenant and the likelihood of a hardened heart being involved. The focus is on preserving dignity, well-being, and the original intent of marriage. Even Paul, in 1 Corinthians 7:15, acknowledges the permissibility of separation when an unbelieving partner leaves, emphasizing peace for the believer. Ultimately, marriage should be a relationship built on value, respect, faithfulness, and mutual upliftment. Seeking a reason for divorce should prompt introspection about one’s own heart and the state of the marriage covenant.

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Application for Everyday Life

• Approach scripture with humility and a willingness to look beyond surface-level interpretations. Consider the historical, cultural, and literary context of biblical passages.
• Recognize that marriage is intended to be a lifelong covenant built on love, respect, and mutual care. Reflect on the vows made and the inherent value of the marital bond.
• Strive to uphold the fundamental obligations within a marriage: providing emotional support, physical care, and relational intimacy, drawing from the principles in Exodus 21.
• When facing marital difficulties, prioritize reconciliation and working through issues rather than immediately seeking a way out. Remember the sacred nature of the commitment.
• Understand that while scripture acknowledges grounds for divorce in specific circumstances (e.g., sexual immorality), these should be approached with seriousness and discernment. Avoid seeking justifications for divorce based on trivial reasons.
• If divorce is being considered, honestly assess the reasons and whether they represent a fundamental breaking of the covenant and a threat to well-being and dignity. Recognize the potential involvement of a hardened heart.
• In situations of abuse or severe neglect, prioritize safety and well-being. The principles of covenant love are violated when harm is inflicted.
• Remember that God’s desire is for marriages to reflect His own covenantal nature, characterized by faithfulness, love, and mercy. Strive to embody these qualities in your relationships.