Ezra 9 and 10

Everyone has used FAQ's in the past for many reasons: Maybe you don't understand an event so FAQ's. Maybe you can't get something to work: FAQ's. The big one maybe you just got something and don't know how it works and you don't want to read the manual! FAQ's 

Sometimes we look at the large Bible sitting there and think: Boy I really should read this. I know it would be great! I really want to know it forward and back, but I just don't want to put the work into it.   

Reading through the Bible in a year takes discipline, desire, and dedication! Why? Satan does not want you and I to read it, even though we want to read it! Even though we want to grow closer to Christ! Even though we want God to speak to us through His word (and He will). 

We still put other things before it! So let's take a deep breath! Grab the dusty bible! Read Ezra chapter 9 and 10 and you can skip this blog! In light of what I just said I'm going to blog in a FAQ's style of chapter 9,10. 

If you have fallen behind in you're reading "STOP IT" start today and look forward and not back! 

   

Question: "What does the Bible have to say about divorces and remarriage?"

Answer: First of all, no matter what view one takes on the issue of divorce, it is important to remember Mal 2:16 "I hate divorce, says the LORD God of Israel." According to the Bible, marriage is a lifetime commitment. "So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate" (Mat 19:6). God realizes, though, that since marriages involve two sinful human beings, divorces are going to occur. In the Old Testament, He laid down some laws in order to protect the rights of divorcees, especially women (Duet 24:1-4). Jesus pointed out that these laws were given because of the hardness of people's hearts, not because they were God's desires (Mat 19:8).

The controversy over whether divorce and remarriage is allowed according to the Bible revolves primarily around Jesus' words in (Mat 5:32) and 19:9. The phrase "except for marital unfaithfulness" is the only thing in Scripture that possibly gives God's permission for divorce and remarriage. Many interpreters understand this "exception clause" as referring to "marital unfaithfulness" during the "betrothal" period. In Jewish custom, a man and a woman were considered married even while they were still engaged or "betrothed." According to this view, immorality during this "betrothal" period would then be the only valid reason for a divorce.

However, the Greek word translated "marital unfaithfulness" is a word which can mean any form of sexual immorality. It can mean fornication, prostitution, adultery and so on. Jesus is possibly saying that divorce is permissible if sexual immorality is committed. Sexual relations are an Holy part of the marital bond: "the two will become one flesh" (Gen 2:24, Mat 19:5,Eph 5:31). Therefore, any breaking of that bond by sexual relations outside of marriage might be a permissible reason for divorce. If so, Jesus also has remarriage in mind in this passage. The phrase "and marries another" (Mat 19:9) indicates that divorce and remarriage are allowed in an instance of the exception clause, whatever it is interpreted to be. It is important to note that only the innocent party is allowed to remarry. If you read this blog today respond to it by saying I got it! Although it is not stated in the text, the allowance for remarriage after a divorce is God's mercy for the one who was sinned against, not for the one who committed the sexual immorality. There may be instances where the "guilty party" is allowed to remarry, but it is not taught in this text.

Some understand (1 Cor 7:15)as another "exception," a loophole allowing remarriage if an unbelieving spouse divorces a believer. Although, the passage does not mention remarriage, but only states a believer is not bound to continue in a marriage if an unbelieving spouse wants to leave. Others make claims that abuse (spousal or child) is a valid reason for divorce even though it is not listed as such in the Bible. While this may very well be the case, it is never wise to assume or presume the Word of God.

Sometimes lost in the debate over the exceptions rule is the fact that what does "marital unfaithfulness" means? It's an allowance for divorce, not a requirement for it. Even when adultery is committed is the case, a couple can, through God's grace, learn to forgive and begin rebuilding their marriage through FORGIVENESS. God has forgiven us of so much more then anything we can do to another. We can most certainly follow His example and even forgive the sin of adultery (Eph 4:32). However, in many cases, a spouse is unrepentant and continues in sexual immorality. That is where Matthew 19:9 can most likely be applied. Test If you read this blog today respond to it by saying I got it! Many also look to quickly remarry after a divorce when God might desire them to remain single for a time. God sometimes calls people to be single so that their attention is not divided (1 Corinthians 7:32-35). Remarriage after a divorce may be an option in some circumstances, but that does not mean it is the only option.

It is sad that the divorce rate among professing Christians is nearly as high as that of the world. The Bible makes it ridiculously clear that God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16) and that reconciliation and forgiveness should be the stamp of a believer's life (Luke 11:4; Ephesians 4:32). Although God recognizes that divorce will occur, even among His children. A divorced and or remarried believer should not feel any less loved by God, even if the divorce or remarriage is not covered under the possible exception rule of Matthew 19:9. God often uses even the sinful disobedience of Christians to accomplish great good in our lives.  

--
Chuck Goulart
President
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203-943-0961

"Effective leadership is not about making speeches or being liked; leadership is defined by results not attributes."