Christian Divorce Issues Like the Gordian Knot
Divorce is a subject that resonates deeply with many individuals, either through personal experience or a profound sense of empathy. It carries a substantial emotional weight and frequently remains concealed within a tumultuous sea of feelings. Although I haven’t personally navigated the challenging waters of divorce, my journey has been intricately entwined with it through my wife’s experiences. This profound connection kindled a fervent curiosity about this complex topic.
Divorce, within the broader spectrum of social issues, is an intricate and sensitive matter that necessitates a delicate touch. For those who haven’t encountered divorce on a personal level, comprehending its profound implications can be a formidable challenge. Consequently, discussions concerning divorce necessitate a tactful approach, as the potential to inadvertently inflict emotional wounds upon those affected looms ever-present.
Christian Divorce Issues that Can’t Be Ignored
Nevertheless, we cannot evade the imperative task of confronting the intricate subject of divorce head-on. It has endured as a significant and continually evolving social concern throughout history. Thus, we must navigate its multifaceted intricacies with compassion and profound insight.
Let us traverse back in time to a pivotal juncture in history: the moment when Jesus departed from Galilee and embarked on a mission to impart his teachings to the people of Judea, a journey that took him across the Jordan River. During this transformative odyssey, the Pharisees saw an opportune moment to present Him with a question of considerable depth: “Is it justifiable for a man to sever the marital bond with his wife?”
It’s vital to clarify that the term “justifiable” in this context pertains to the legality of such an action rather than its ethical appropriateness. The Pharisees, however, were not seeking genuine enlightenment but were, instead, striving to test Jesus, driven by an underlying agenda. Such tests typically originate from preconceived notions, and the Pharisees harbored concerns that Jesus might provide a response that contradicted their firmly entrenched beliefs.
Divorce in the Era of Jesus
In the era of Jesus, Israel was home to two influential schools of thought, each led by prominent rabbis responsible for religious education: the Hillel school and the Shammai school. Initially intertwined, over time, their teachings diverged. The Hillel school was characterized by a more lenient interpretation of Jewish law, whereas the Shammai school adhered to stricter principles.
Even the interpretation of Deuteronomy 24:1-4, a pivotal component of divorce law found within Moses’ Pentateuch, was a subject of profound contention between these two scholarly schools. The opening clause of this divorce law articulates:
“If a man takes a wife and brings her into his house, and she finds no favor in his eyes because he has found some indecency in her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce and puts it in her hand and sends her out of his house…”
The ambiguity surrounding the term “indecency” gave rise to varying perspectives on the grounds for divorce. The Shammai school adhered to a stringent stance, permitting divorce solely in cases of adultery. In stark contrast, the Hillel school adopted a more comprehensive interpretation, allowing divorce for a spectrum of less egregious unfaithful behaviors.
However, an in-depth examination of the penalties for adultery in Deuteronomy 22 revealed that adulterers were to be stoned to death rather than divorced. Thus, adultery was punishable by death, not divorce. Consequently, the term “indecency” within the divorce law encompassed a range of unfaithful behaviors that extended beyond mere adultery.
In light of this revelation, the Hillel school’s position appears more reasonable, although it did leave room for individual interpretation, potentially trivializing the grounds for divorce. It appeared to suggest that a divorce certificate provided a license to dissolve a marital union for nearly any reason.
The Pharisees aimed to assess Jesus’ alignment with the doctrines of either the Hillel or Shammai school regarding divorce. In response to this test, Jesus adopted a strategic approach. He reframed the question, redirecting it back at the Pharisees by asking, “What did Moses instruct you?”
The Pharisees responded with unwavering confidence: “Moses permitted us to issue a certificate of divorce and send her away.”
Jesus’ Interpretation of Moses’ Divorce Documents
Nonetheless, Jesus challenged their understanding of Moses’ intent, affirming, “It was due to the hardness of your hearts that this directive was established.”
The mandate to issue a divorce certificate and allow the departure of one’s wife was a response to the hardness and callousness of men’s hearts in Israel at that time. Men were willing to abandon their wives with little remorse and to curb this behavior, a formalized legal process was instituted to regulate their actions. Before Moses’ law, if a woman was abandoned and divorced by her husband, she faced nearly insurmountable obstacles to remarry, as there was no concrete proof of her divorce. She was compelled to live as if still bound to her former spouse.
The issuance of divorce certificates aimed to mitigate the thoughtless abandonment of wives, granting them the liberty to pursue remarriage. These documents effectively proclaimed, “Behold, you are free to wed whomever you desire.”
The Greek word “aporuo,” employed in the Bible to describe “separation,” originally denoted “to release” or “set free.” In essence, a divorce certificate symbolized a document of liberation, safeguarding a woman’s fundamental human rights.
Even today, there exist situations where husbands subject their wives to relentless mental and physical anguish, accusing them of infidelity, yet refusing to grant a divorce. Regardless of any wrongdoing on the wife’s part, enduring such circumstances is a form of torment. In such scenarios, divorce plays a dual role: it represents a moment of shame and, paradoxically, a pathway to freedom for the woman.
Moses’ insistence on issuing divorce certificates was never intended to encourage divorce. Rather, it was designed to shield women from unjust harm resulting from the unyielding nature of men. Nonetheless, many, including the Pharisees, cited Mosaic law as justification for divorce.
Today’s Divorce
Today’s divorce laws share a comparable objective: to safeguard one party from the obstinacy and deceit of the other. However, the mere existence of divorce laws can sometimes mislead people into believing that divorce is a straightforward and uncomplicated process.
Following the exposure of the Pharisees’ misconceptions about Moses’ divorce laws, Jesus turned to the book of Genesis to illuminate the profound significance of marriage’s foundational meaning.
Amid the tumult of divorce-related crises, it is customary for individuals to seek guidance on divorce procedures. Yet, during these challenging times, it remains crucial to revisit the core essence of marriage, reevaluating it from its inception.
“For this reason, God created them from the beginning as male and female, and for this reason, a man shall leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh; thus, they are no longer two, but one flesh; hence, what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
In essence, we were created by God to fulfill His divine purpose. Marriage stands as the partnership that allows a husband and wife to bolster each other in the pursuit of this greater calling throughout their life’s journey. It stands as a sacred institution, impervious to the caprices of humanity.
The Ten Commandments themselves underscore the profound importance of marriage and family, as evidenced in the seventh commandment: “You shall not commit adultery,” and the tenth commandment: “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife.” Adultery, a grievous transgression, threatens to destroy homes and imperil the well-being of family members. Nevertheless, a couple that revisits the fundamental meaning of marriage, forgives one another, and staunchly defends their home demonstrates remarkable resilience, transcending the pain they’ve endured, for they are touched by the profound love of God.
