What Jesus Did! 'Do Not Divorce!' — Matthew 5:31-32

God said it forcefully, "I hate divorce!" (Malachi 2:16) Jesus' words here are equally emphatic. Jesus' condemnation is specifically directed to men because they were the only ones in Jewish culture in Jesus' time who could divorce a marriage partner. A woman was left with few options other than remarriage or poverty. While God hates divorce, Jesus' ministry demonstrates God's love for those broken by it (cf. John 4). Still, God hates divorce because of the brokenness it creates in the lives of those involved and because of the loss of character in one or both parties that often causes divorce. Based on their love for God, husbands and wives have as their goal two key things: (1) loving each other and (2) learning faithfulness through their relationship with each other. By pursuing a loving relationship and remaining faithful sexually, they are guarding themselves against divorce and are honoring God by maintaining their covenant with him and with each other. In an age where promiscuity and sexual indiscretion run rampant, we must heed the call to sexual purity and loving commitment so that strong families can be built and divorce and its devastation can be prevented.