“For I say unto you, that EXCEPT your RIGHTEOUSNESS shall EXCEED THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES, ye shall in NO CASE ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN…” Matthew 5: 20 (Emphasis mine)
Today’s edition is another interesting and yet a controversial subject. This has to do with marriage, adultery, fornication and divorce in relation to kingdom righteousness. Yesterday, we defined the keywords that we are highlighted in the last biblical text for consideration.
“It hath been said, whosoever shall PUT AWAY (Divorces) HIS WIFE, let him give her a writing of divorcement: But I say unto you, that whosoever shall put away his wife, SAVING FOR THE CAUSE OF FORNICATION, causeth her to commit adultery: and WHOSOEVER SHALL MARRY HER THAT IS DIVORCED COMMITTETH ADULTERY”. Matthew 5:31-32, KJV, (Emphasis & insertion mine).
Some of the Jews in the era before the advent of Jesus, were very hostile to their wives and thereby resorted to divorce upon the least offenses from their wives. Others too, per their selfish reasons also divorced their wives. The women were treated as if they were just some sort of ‘property’ that one can own and dump at any time they felt necessary. After all they had a verse in the Torah to support their acts of divorce. These acts of divorce became the order of the day. It was these acts treachery against their wives that necessitated the prophecy Malachi 2:14-16.
Even though God had registered his displeasure of divorce in the book of Malachi, they still used the law as the basis for their acts. These acts spilled over into the New Testament era. The Pharisees and the Scribes were those who were facilitating the divorce processes. Because of their hypocritical disposition like some of us today, they stood on one end the scripture where it favours their parochial interests to execute their tasks.
Therefore, it was expedient for Jesus to correct that mindset right at the beginning of his ministry, after He had spoken about the beatitudes. It was not just a mere coincidence for Jesus to speak about the acts of divorce and their consequences. He actually did that on purpose.
Jesus as the Word of God personified, explained the basis of divorce and its consequences. He did not just quote the law but explained the law to the latter. The explanation implies that; divorce can only be necessitated when one party is involved in fornication. Per yesterday’s definition of fornication, it involves adultery, homosexuality, incest and bestialism. He further explained that whoever marries that divorced woman in particular also commits adultery by extension.
The Pharisees were not happy with Jesus’ interpretation. So, they tried to seek for a redress by entrapping Him with the Mosaic law. Let us consider and analyze Matthew 19:3-9.
“Then some Pharisees came and tested Him by asking, “Is it lawful for a man TO DIVORCE HIS WIFE FOR ANY REASON?”
Jesus answered, “Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female, ‘and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and BE UNITED TO HIS WIFE, and THE TWO WILL BECOME ONE FLESH’? So, they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what GOD HAS JOINED TOGETHER, LET MAN NOT SEPARATE.” “Why then,” they asked, “did Moses order a man to give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?” Jesus replied, “MOSES PERMITTED YOU TO DIVORCE your wives BECAUSE OF YOUR HARDNESS OF HEART; but it WAS NOT THIS WAY FROM THE BEGINNING. Now I tell you that WHOEVER DIVORCES HIS WIFE, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman, COMMITS ADULTERY…” (Emphasis mine)
Jesus was unequivocal with his statements. This time he went back to the beginning of creation to establish God’s original intention for marriage. Afterwards, He reiterated that, any man who divorces his own wife and remarry another woman also commits adultery. This time it is not about marrying an adulterous woman but any woman after divorce. This points to the fact that marriage is not something to trifle with. It is a serious business with greater responsibilities and consequences just like our walk with God.
Marriage is symbolic of our relationship with God. As matter of fact, the way we treat our spouses is a reflection of how we treat God. Think about it. God sees us as His spouse, he expects us to trust Him, love Him, submit to him and remain faithful to Him. In return, He loves, protects, blesses and above all forgive us ALL our sins. Divorce is not the intention of God but as a result of the stubborn nature humanity.
Beloved, as kingdom citizens, who are trying to practice kingdom righteousness, it expedient we learn and try to play our role as a good spouse to the Lord and thereby reflecting all the good attributes towards the Lord in our various marriages and divorce will not be an option to be considered. This was what Jesus was Jesus was trying to put across yet people and the Pharisees could not grasp it.
Apostle Paul caught this revelation, and simplified it for us in Ephesians 5:21-33. Let us ponder on this scripture and I am certain that our relationship with God will be moved to the next level. God bless us all.
“SUBMIT to one another OUT OF REVERENCE FOR CHRIST. Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is THE HEAD OF THE WIFE as CHRIST IS THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH, His body, of which He is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, LOVE YOUR WIVES, just as CHRIST LOVED THE CHURCH AND GAVE HIMSELF UP FOR HER to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to Himself as a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless. IN THE SAME WAY, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. Indeed, no one ever hated his own body, but he nourishes and cherishes it, JUST AS CHRIST DOES THE CHURCH. For we are members of His body. “For this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” THIS MYSTERY IS PROFOUND, BUT I AM SPEAKING ABOUT CHRIST AND THE CHURCH. Nevertheless, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.” NIV, (Emphasis mine)
PRAY WITH ME
Lord Jesus, I thank you this day for my life. From this day forward, I have resolved in my heart to submit to your will and love you. By extension I will learn to love all those you put around me. I will demonstrate this love and submission disposition I have for you to my spouse. Holy Spirit, please guide me and help me to achieve this. This I pray in the precious name of Jesus! Amen!
Author: REV. SOLOMON LUTTERODT