And Pharisees came up and in order to test him asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” He answered them, “What did Moses command you?” They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and to send her away.” And Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment. But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” Mark 10:2-9
I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark. Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 10:1-12. Excerpts from the third section - titled "Four Major Views on Divorce and Remarriage." - from the commentary provided for this text:
- Per the commentary the four major views on divorce and marriage are Patristic (Church Fathers), Protestant-Evangelical, Betrothal, and Unlawful Marriage View.
- Patristic: Based on Matthew 5:31-32 and 19:9-10 "Divorce is allowed for adultery only. No remarriage is allowed. Those holding this view note the lack of any expressed statement for remarriage, and the nearness of the early church fathers to the apostles."
- Protestant-Evangelical: "Divorce is allowed for adultery and desertion by an unbelieving spouse with no possibility of reconciliation. Remarriage to a believer is permissible for the innocent party."
- Betrothal: "Jewish betrothal was a legal contract that could only be broken by divorce or death. It was more than an engagement but not a sexually consummated marriage. This view better explains the disciples’ reaction. Divorce is allowed only for unfaithfulness during the betrothal period. If adultery was committed after the marriage, then divorce was not allowed for any reason."
- Unlawful Marriage: "This view takes “sexual immorality” in the exception clause to refer to incestuous marriages. Divorce is allowed for those marriages within the prohibited degrees of kinship in Leviticus 18:6-18. Remarriage is usually not allowed, though there seem to be some differences of opinion. However, the technical meaning of “incest” given to “sexual immorality” does not fit the total context of the passage."
It is clear that God's view of marriage must be considered based on text from both the Old and New Testament, starting with Genesis. The text in Mark - vv10:1-12 - is also clear that Jesus pointed the Pharisees to Moses and how God did not change His view on marriage but understood how there would be those who had hardened hearts and how these hearts would twist God's view on marriage to shape their desires vs God. In all of this discussion, it is absolutely clear that God intends for marriage to be for a lifetime and divorce is not condoned. See also my previous post.
Comment and discuss this post.
My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves. You pour out Your mercies in an inexhaustible supply and fountain of grace. Thank You Jesus! I am not deserving of my salvation, nor the mercies or grace You pour out for me. My sin is great and it continues...daily. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.