Rev. David Holwick (Bible study)
Ledgewood Baptist Church
December 9, 1990
Deuteronomy 24:1-4
DIVORCE IN THE BIBLE
I. Old Testament passages.
A. Leviticus 21:5-6,13-14. Regulations for priests.
1) Among those priests cannot marry are divorces. But note that
widows are also unacceptable. As a sign of spiritual
purity they must marry virgins.
B. Deuteronomy 24:1-4. (Most explicit divorce proceedings in OT.)
1) Moses is not inventing divorce, but recognizes current
practice and is trying to moderate it.
2) One particular problem is in view - remarriage with same
person after a sinful divorce.
3) Divorce is a legal proceding, just like marriage.
a) Husband writes a bill of divorce.
b) He puts it in her hand. (Common OT term for divorce is
"putting away" a wife)
c) She is sent away.
4) Grounds of divorce: "some indecency."
a) Liberal Jewish view (Hillel): burnt toast.
b) Conservative view (Gamaliel): adultery only.
c) Best view: anything short of adultery. The man is in
fact sinning by thus divorcing the woman; note how she
is "defiled" in verse 4. Nevertheless, such a divorce
is valid and not to be reversed.
5) The intent of the verses may be to protect the woman
economically, since the bill of divorce would sever his lien
on her dowry. Note that in Deut 22:17-19,29 the wronged
woman cannot be divorced. It would not be a happy home life
but she would have economic security.
C. Jeremiah 3:1-11.
1) The principle of Deuteronomy 24:1-4 is quoted. (3:1)
2) The nation of (northern) Israel is spiritually unfaithful to
God. Prostitution imagery. (3:1,2,6)
3) God waits for her to return. (Physical or emotional separation
in view?)
4) Because of her adultery God gives her a bill of divorce and
"sends her away." (3:8). (Judah also divorced?)
>> God Himself can be considered a divorced person.
5) Even after the divorce, God waits for Israel to return to Him
and acknowledge her guilt. Reconciliation remains
available. (3:12-13)
D. Hosea 2. In the book of Hosea the prophet's troubled family
situation mirrors God's relationship with (northern) Israel.
1) Because of adultery, God no longer considers Israel his wife.
(2:2) Note that divorce has replaced stoning for adultery,
even in the Old Testament. God sets the example.
2) God anticipates that Israel will return to Him, her first
husband. (Another violation of Deuteronomy 24:1-4?)
3) God romantically "allures" Israel (2:14) and remarries her.
(2:16,18-20) [Compare Ezekiel 16]
E. Ezra 10:2-3,11.
1) Jews are ordered to divorce their foreign wives. This is for
spiritual, not racial, reasons. (Compare 1 Cor 7:10-17,27)
In the New Testament, Christians are forbidden to marry
non-believers, though if they were already married they are
not to instigate divorce.
F. Malachi 2:13-16.
1) God is the witness to the marriage vows.
2) When these vows are broken, God withholds spiritual blessing.
a) Note strong emphasis on marriage covenant, and union of
man and wife.
3) God hates divorce.
a) The reference to violence may allude to wife abuse
("himself" could be translated "her", and covering with
a garment is symbolism from marriage.
II. The New Testament.
A. Matthew 5:31-32.
1) Not a quote from Deut. 24:1-4, but a popular misapplication
of that passage.
2) Unfaithfulness/fornication. Different interpretations:
a) Inserted by Matthew himself - Jesus allowed no exemptions.
[Liberal critical view, adopted by Barclay and others.]
b) Any sexual sin. [Stott]
c) Premarital sex only. [Boise]
d) Incest, or marriage within the prohibited boundaries
(in other words, cousins). [Guelich]
3) Improper divorce (motivated by something other than fornica-
tion; as in Deut 24?) results in adultery.
a) Implication: Proper divorce does not result in adultery.
b) Alternate view: All divorce leads to adultery. Jesus is
making an impossible demand here, similar to outlawing
lust (5:28). The pure ethics of Jesus' kingdom require
a new heart. However, restored relationships are
possible. [Guelich]
4) Note Jewish perspective here. Only wives can be caused to
commit adultery. Divorce was largely a male option.
B. Matthew 19:3-11.
1) Jesus' opponents focus on "some indecency" in Deut. 24 and
interpret it as "any and every reason."
a) Jesus disagrees by pointing out God's original intention
in Genesis 2:24, "united...one flesh."
b) People should not separate what God has joined. (19:6)
Divorce, not re-marriage, breaks the original marriage.
2) Jesus' opponents focus on Moses "command" to divorce. (19:7)
a) Jesus corrects them - Moses permitted divorce, he did not
command it. It was a concession to the hardness of
human hearts.
b) Improper divorce leads to adultery - on the part of the
man!
c) Fornication is an exemption, but not the focus of the
passage. (19:9)
3) Jesus' disciples (who accepted easy divorce) see this as a
blow against marriage. (19:10)
a) Jesus replies that singleness requires a gift from God.
C. Mark 10:2-12.
1) Jesus' opponents question him on legality of divorce.
a) Jesus responds, "What did Moses command?" He is thinking
of Genesis 2:24, not Deut. 24:1-4.
b) Although his opponents refer to Deut 24, they properly
see it as permission instead of command.
D. 1 Cor 7:10-17,27.
1) Married Christians must not divorce.
a) Paul refers to explicit teaching of Jesus.
b) If they separate, they must stay single or reconcile.
c) Both husband and wife are prohibited from taking action.
2) Where one spouse is a non-believer, maintain marriage.
a) Divorce must only be instigated by the non-Christian.
b) If the non-Christian wants to leave, they should be
allowed to do so.
3) Overall principle: retain your current position.
E. 1 Timothy 3:2,12; Titus 1:6.
1) Elders and deacons must be husband of one wife.
a) Divorced Christians not allowed to be leaders?
b) Those divorced before becoming Christians not allowed
to be leaders?
2) Meaning of "one wife."
a) They must not be divorced for any reason.
b) They must not be improperly divorced.
c) Polygamy is in view.
d) Remarriage for any reason, including death, is in view.
1> Note that 1 Timothy 5:9 has a similar requirement
that church-supported widows have "one husband."
Obviously any remarriage is in view there.
