A Conversation With Jesus About Divorce Part 2

By Andrew Williams – June 20, 2022

And some Pharisees came up, and, in order to test Him and try to find a weakness in Him, asked, Is it lawful for a man to dismiss and repudiate and divorce his wife? He answered them, What did Moses command you? They replied, Moses allowed a man to write a bill of divorce and to put her away. [Deut. 24:1-4.]
Mark 10:2‭-‬4 AMPC

Good morning fellow disciples.

Is it lawful for a man to dismiss and repudiate and divorce his wife?

Dismiss: to permit or cause to leave.

Repudiate: to refuse to accept, to refuse to have anything to do with, to divorce or separate formally from (a woman to whom one is betrothed or married).

Divorce: to dissolve the marriage contract between.

Now that we know the meanings of these words, let us ask the question again.

Is it lawful for a man to permit or cause his wife to leave?
‘To permit’ implies that the wife wants to leave and the man is in agreement. ‘To cause’ implies that the man is dissatisfied with his wife and is forcing her out of the marriage relationship or the house.

Is it lawful for a man to refuse to accept his wife?
” Refuse to accept” implies that they are married and the man does not want her or accept her for who she is. Regardless of the reason, is it lawful for him to refuse to accept his own wife?

Is it lawful for a man to refuse to have anything to do with his wife?
This reminds us of some husbands and wives who live in the same house but have no relationship or communication with each other. Is it lawful for the man to disown his wife?

Is it lawful for a man to dissolve the marriage contract between himself and his wife?

He answered them, “What did Moses command you? They replied, Moses allowed a man to write a bill of divorce and to put her away.”

We know that their answer was correct. However, when you ask Jesus a question He answers it from a Kingdom of God perspective. So, was it lawful for the man to divorce his wife?

From an Israelite point of view, following the Mosaic law, it was lawful for a man to divorce his wife. However, in any legal system there are stipulations that need to be followed for laws to come into effect.

If those stipulations are met, one can apply the law. So, Is it lawful for a man to dismiss and repudiate and divorce his wife?

That depends on the legal system that you are under.

Prayer: Father God, as I look more closely at what is written I realize the play on words: “What did Moses command you? They replied, Moses allowed a man to write a bill of divorce and to put her away.”

Jesus asked, what did Moses COMMAND you?

They replied, Moses ALLOWED a man to write a bill of divorce and put her away.

Commanding and allowing are two different things.

As we continue to think deeply on this conversation, help us Father God to see Your will for a man and his wife. I pray this in Jesus’ name, amen.