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NASB | Malachi 2:14 "Yet you say, 'For what reason?' Because the LORD has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Malachi 2:14 But you say, "Why [does He reject it]?" Because the LORD has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously. Yet she is your marriage companion and the wife of your covenant [made by your vows]. |
Bible Question:
can you get married again if you get a divorce are you still married in the eyes of our Lord? |
Bible Answer: Greetings Captain2074, The more a nation's divorce rate increases, the more God regards the situation as a national scandal. That seems to be the import of Malachi's words concerning divorce (Mal. 2:14-16). Apparently a substantial number of husbands in postexilic Judah were "dealing treacherously" by divorcing their wives. This treachery involved a retraction of their marriage vows, but it also represented treachery against the Lord. What provoked this skyrocketing divorce rate? The books of Ezra and Nehemiah tell of those two leaders challenging the men of the land to "put away" the wives that they had married from among the Canaanites and other peoples of the land (Ezra 9-10; Neh. 13:23-27). These divorces were regarded as a means of national cleansing and a return to the covenant. But is it possible that this policy of dissolving mixed marriages helped to create a jaded attitude about divorce? Could it have contributed to a climate in which divorce became an easy alternative even when both partners were Jewish, evidence of which we continue to see in Jesus' day (Matt. 19:3-9)? Malachi, a contemporary of Ezra and Nehemiah, spoke clearly about God's attitude: "I hate divorce" (Mal. 2:16). The prophet warned the people to "take heed to your spirit." A casual attitude toward divorce was a symptom of a problem with one's heart attitude toward the Lord. Loyalty to Him was what counted. Several Biblical principles suggest that questions about divorce should start with a proper understanding of marriage: 1. Marriage is a holy insitution established by God. (Gen. 1:27; 2:24) 2. Marriage is based on trust and faithfulness. (Matt. 19:6) 3. God hates unfaithfulness. (Mal. 2:16) 4. Divorce is a concession by God. (Matt. 19:8) 5. Grounds for divorce are few. (Ezra 9-10; Matt. 5:32, 19:9; 1 Cor. 7:12-16) 6. There is a place for compassion for the divorced. To answer your question, as much as God hates unfaithfulness and divorce, He shows compassion for divorced people, and is ready to forgive and to restore any who have come short of His expectations when they seek His pardon. Divorce is not the unforgivable sin, even though it is also not something to take lightly. Divorce is an acknowledgment that sin wreaks havoc on God's design. God wants to see marriages succeed, even though He gives grace to those who earnestly seek Him and desire restoration. I believe that you can be married again after first getting a divorce, but only this next time, view marriage as important enough to try all available means to preserve it to the very end! Help may come from friends, church, or profressional counsel. But most of all, help is available from God Himself, who wants to see all marriages succeed. Blessings to you, Makarios |
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Questions and/or Subjects for Mal 2:14 | Author | ||
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captain2074 | ||
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Makarios | ||
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justme | ||
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Makarios | ||
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tthom1122 | ||
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Biblequestion |