The Christian and Divorce

 Mark 10:1-2 - his custom = taught them.  Jesus' primary ministry = teaching.
terms:  test - looking to trip Him up, not looking for info
           lawful - according to law of Moses given by God
Compare:  Matt. 19:3 from Deut. 24:1 - "some indecency/uncleanness" - Question:  what constitutes indecency?

Meaning:  according to school of Shammai (a major rabbi) - "morally indecent" - (usually sexual)
                according to school of Hillel (great rabbi) - "anything unsatisfactory!"  - ie:  burned toast - you're outta here!

This question debated 1500 years before Christ and 2,000 years since!

Our Study - not the American view, contemporary view, majority view.
                 = God's View, Biblical view

Jesus' Response - Mark 10:3-9
(1)  Moses permitted because he knew man would do this
(2)  Moses commanded a written legal paper freeing the woman of any marital entanglements

Example:  tradition of the elders = "written on durable material with ink that will not fade"

NOTE:  God's Provision does not mean God's Approval!   He permitted it but did not approve of it.
Mark 10:10-12 - "by Jewish traditional law a woman could NOT divorce her husband (only he could divorce)
here Jesus is elevating women to equal marital status - Jesus was constantly raising women up.

The "exception clause" - Matt. 19:8-9 - "porneia"
"marital unfaithfulness" prob. = "porneia" - Any forbidden sexual behavior" - sinful, unclean, etc.

Complicated further by 1 Cor. 7:12-13, 15

So... Adultery?  Porneia?  Abandonment?  ... ABUSE?? 
and what constitutes Porneia?  Abandon?  Abuse??

Subject raises MANY questions 
BUT ... don't let complexity overshadow simplicity

Some simplicity observed....:

#1.  God's plan for marriage - clear ....
    Leave - Cleave- Become - Remain

#2.  No Marriage is Perfect!  made up of 2 seriously flawed people
      Every Marriage is difficult!  therefore, takes work, sacrifice, self discipline

This does NOT mean a marriage can't be Good, Great!!
Just means not all the time!!

#3.  3 ways to help avoid divorce...
      (1)  never marry - (which may NOT be God's plan for you!)
      (2)  work at your marriage - ie.  work at  (A)  being the mate you should be
                                                                    (B)  meeting your mate's needs
Takes 2 therefore,  victim of Divorce?

      (3)  (young people) Prepare for Marriage long before you enter Marriage!!
             (A)  Work at becoming the person God wants you to be
             (B)  don't date people who aren't doing the same!!
            (C)  Use your head!!  don't let hormones rule!!    (hard to do ... but ... Gen. 4:6-7

#4.  Recognize that divorce is always due to sin! 
(without sin there'd be no divorce!)

#5.  Own up to your part
    ignoring guilt is not healthy!!

#6.  Start from where you are today
Single?  separated?  divorced?  rocky marriage?  good marriage?
All these situations should illicit SAME response.....

ie:  (A)  I'm a sinner
but  (B)  I could do better! 
so   (C)  I will do better!
at marriage preparation.  at marriage I'm in

ADDITIONAL OBSERVATIONS

(1)  All divorce is painful - even when necessary and the right thing to do.

(2)  God hates divorce (Mal. 2:15-16) why?  because it = tearing down what He's (attempting) to build up!!

BUT  (3)  God does not hate Divorcees!!  Even if was your fault, doing ... still is not unpardonable sin!!

Never divorced???  - "but for the grace of God there go I..."
(not divorced because your spouse still puts up with you!!)