'For the Lord God of Israel says that He hates divorce, for it covers ones garments with violence', says the Lord of hosts. 'Therefore take heed to your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously' (Malachi 2:16)
The other day i was with some colleagues when someone announced that divorce proceedings from his wife was ongoing. I asked him why he wanted to divorce his wife and he simply told me that the marriage was not just working out; that his estranged wife had begun taking him for granted.
Dear Brothers, there are so many people caught up in this issue of divorce or separation. some
married couples have a history of unresolved problems which degenerates into divorce or separation. As a married Christian, one is not expected to divorce. Some people may argue to the contrary saying, 'well there is no harm in getting divorced if its what will make them happy'. It is generally agreed that there is rarely a perfect marriage and one made in Heaven is seemingly utopian especially in these times. Married folks will always disagree sometimes and have their ups and downs; But by the grace of God, they can make it work. With guidance from the Word of God on marriage, couples can steer their boat from the stormy waters of divorce and separation. God does not make mistakes and with Him all things are possible (see Luke 1:37) so long as one was not forced into the marriage in the first instance.
The pharisees had a similar argument with Jesus, stating that the Law of Moses permitted a man to put away his wife if he so desired and issue her a certificate of divorce. see ( Mathew 19:3-9) However Jesus response was clear when he said, 'but I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery' (Mathew 5:32)
We can see clearly that the Lord dislikes divorce. whatever we are enduring in our marriages, for the sake of salvation; divorce should not even be an option. There are some marital unions that have genuine issues, perhaps the husband is physically violent towards his wife; has drinking problems or the wife is contentious, and always nagging over trivial things; as a result tension and resentment is created in the home.
In this kind of situation, the two can separate for a while especially if a life is being threatened.Counseling should then be sought by the couple while remaining faithful to their marital vows. Thereafter, they should come back together and live as husband and wife for it was written; 'Now to the married i command, yet not i but the Lord. A wife is not to depart from her husband. But even if she departs, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife' (1 Corinthians 7:10-11)
Dear Brothers, let us try to live with our wives with patience and understanding (see 1 Peter 3:7) And to the wives, live with your husbands in an atmosphere of Love, care and complete submission in all things; trusting his judgements and having respect for his headship role in the family even as Christ is the Head of the Church. see (Col 3:18)
For anyone who is married in a bible believing Church and exchanges marital vows before God, His ministers and the congregation; such one should also know 'that whatever God does, it shall be forever, nothing can be added to it, And nothing taken from it. God does it, that men should fear before Him' (Ecclesiastes 3:14)
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