God hates divorce

[dalconn]

God does hate divorce according to Malachi 2:16, but not for the reasons we hear in most churches (“it breaks his law”). The reason is much deeper, more intimate, more affectionate. God knows that divorce deeply wounds, hurts, and attempts to destroy his precious plan for His children. Divorce endeavors to steal, kill, and destroy God’s creation. Divorce impacts spouses, children, grandparents and even our workplace in negative and destructive ways That’s why God hates divorce.

The church must be a place of comfort, protection, healing, and restoration for those who have experienced divorce or the effects thereof. Jesus is our life and the light of men so lets practice compassion for those who suffer and fulfill God's Word.

ISAIAH 61:1-3
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,[SUP][a][/SUP]
[SUP]2 [/SUP]to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
[SUP]3 [/SUP] and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor

 

[Sirk]

Divorce is often worse than death.

 

[dalconn]

Divorce is often worse than death.

So true, I've been there

 

[Sirk]

So true, I've been there

The hard thing about it is that it is easy to isolate yourself....to feel judged and like a failure. So many heart wrenching things come up when divorce happens.

 

[Sirk]

It's pretty funny dalcon that I started a thread with the same title and premise awhile back. Great minds think alike!

http://christianchat.com/christian-family-forum/126179-god-hates-divorce.html

 

[Dan_473]

all true! and I'm not in favor of divorce by any means...

at the same time, if a woman (or man) is being physically abused... or if the children are in physical danger...

or one of the partners has been unfaithful...

sometimes a separation is the best avenue... but then, sometimes, if no divorce is filed for, both partners still have access to each other's money, the children, etc.

my feeling, these situations can be hard...

 

[kote]

malachi 2:16 for the lord god of israel says that he hates divorce.

 

[mokie22yrold]

[No message]

 

[mokie22yrold]

I know. I'm divorced

 

[tourist]

I know. I'm divorced

Yes, but He doesn't hate you.

 

[JasonNosneh]

God hates all sin but God is also merciful and forgiving through the blood of Jesus Christ.

 

[Dino246]

malachi 2:16 for the lord god of israel says that he hates divorce.

That is the scripture referenced in the original post (OP). Perhaps you'd like to add more to the discussion?

 

[KennethC]

God does hate divorce because of the issues it does lead into.........

However Jesus and Paul both gave teachings on the subjects and stated clearly in certain circumstances it is allowed, and thus does not make it a sin or make the people involved guilty of adultery if they remarry later to other people.

Churches today have gone way to far in making it a sin in all area's, and trying to say if you remain in that relationship you are condemned to hell for continuing in adultery. This is perverting God's word !!!

David was guilty of adultery with Bathsheba, yet they remained together and had other kids.........

Their understanding would place David in hell then, which we know will not be true !!!

 

[Dan_473]

so, I just want to throw this out there...

if a woman (or man) is being abused by their spouse, what is the biblical thing to do?

abused children?

 

[Dino246]

so, I just want to throw this out there...

if a woman (or man) is being abused by their spouse, what is the biblical thing to do?

abused children?

Malachi 2:16 also says, "and I hate a man's covering himself [or his wife] with violence as well as with his garment," says the Lord Almighty.

I don't know of a direct biblical precedent for dealing with a violent spouse or parent. So there may not be a "biblical thing to do" and we need to do some extrapolation, applying sound biblical principles to areas the Bible does not directly address. In this case, we must recognize that God hates both divorce and abuse. So there must be a response (at least one!) which is consistent with God's character and will.

I believe that separation with the requirement of change is the answer. No change, no reconciliation. We can debate about whether there is a time limit on the separation (no change in X time means divorce). That spousal and child abuse are indictable offenses in many countries should be considered: abusers should face legal and relational consequences. Change does not mean apology, or merely serving a legal sentence.

Far too many churches take the first part of the verse only and ignore the second. Many people have been brutalized and even killed by an abusive spouse/parent because the victim spouse was told by their church to "remain faithful" (stay with the abuser). We uphold the sanctity of marriage above the safety of the people in the marriage; that isn't a good idea and it isn't biblically-sound.

 

[skylove7]

Malachi 2:16 also says, "and I hate a man's covering himself [or his wife] with violence as well as with his garment," says the Lord Almighty.

I don't know of a direct biblical precedent for dealing with a violent spouse or parent. So there may not be a "biblical thing to do" and we need to do some extrapolation, applying sound biblical principles to areas the Bible does not directly address. In this case, we must recognize that God hates both divorce and abuse. So there must be a response (at least one!) which is consistent with God's character and will.

I believe that separation with the requirement of change is the answer. No change, no reconciliation. We can debate about whether there is a time limit on the separation (no change in X time means divorce). That spousal and child abuse are indictable offenses in many countries should be considered: abusers should face legal and relational consequences. Change does not mean apology, or merely serving a legal sentence.

Far too many churches take the first part of the verse only and ignore the second. Many people have been brutalized and even killed by an abusive spouse/parent because the victim spouse was told by their church to "remain faithful" (stay with the abuser). We uphold the sanctity of marriage above the safety of the people in the marriage; that isn't a good idea and it isn't biblically-sound.

Real good post Dino
I read twice
God bless you

 

[Consumed]

People will constantly bring up and talk about physical abuse in regards to marriage and divorce, but they tend to ignore emotional and mental abuse. While it doesn't sound like a "big deal" and they remember the old "sticks and stones" sayings, I can tell you right now that mental and emotional abuse can potentially be far more damaging than physical. I was in an emotionally abusive relationship and it caused a lot of problems for me socially and mentally. A girl I recently dated was in a much worse one, that lasted much longer and completely lacked the ability to show affection or appreciation for others. She could feel it, but she had a difficult time just saying the words. Even though I was patient, and willing to work with it, she recognized that she had a lot of work to do on herself to be fully prepared to be in a proper relationship.

On top of the things I mentioned, believe it or not, PTSD and suppressed memories can be involved.

 

[gtgarner]

I believe that 99% of people who get divorced know that God hates it....so that's obviously not a sufficient deterrent.

So...what is a sufficient deterrent? Knowing how much its going to cost you and others in the future? Imagining answering questions about your divorce to God when you see him face to face? I don't know.

To me divorce is the result of a culmination of a sea of sins - that are rarely ever discussed.

 

[Grace777x70]

If us Christians would only see who we truly are in our new creation in Christ...there would be no divorce...we are trying to live the Christian life and no one can..only Jesus can live it...We need to live from our inner man of the heart and have our minds renewed.

 

[Starsdance]

Yes, God hate it.