The Greek word 'porneia' (or indeed porneuo) can have a rather broad meaning of
immorality and sexual misconduct in general, or it can have a more
specific use such as indicating fornication or whoredom (meaning prostitution
-- the root 'porn' means "to sell").
Some scholars have understood the word 'porneia' to have a strict
meaning of fornication, that
is in the sense of sexual relations before marriage. If this is the
case, then it can be understood that Jesus
is making a comment regarding the Jewish customs and practice regarding espousal.
Now in Malachi 2, God clearly identifies divorce as 'treachery'. We
read:
"Because the LORD has been witness Between you
and the wife of your youth, With whom you have dealt
treacherously; Yet she is your companion And your wife by
covenant." Malachi 2:14
The treachery comes from breaking the solemn
marriage covenant that was entered into by both man and wife before God.
God is
faithful and does exactly what He promises, with Him there is no
variation or change. What God says He means! Divorce is a total contrast
to the faithful character of God. Love calls for loyalty, longsuffering,
forgiveness etc. (see 1Cor 13). Those who instigate divorce betray this
sacred commitment of love and the unity of man and wife, demonstrating
instead selfishness, unfaithfulness and treachery.
However, the context of Malachi 2 is not primarily broken marriage vows,
but is directed at Israel's broken covenant with God. God is clearly and
directly signifying that covenant breakers with men become covenant
breakers with God. To put it plainly, human treachery within
relationships will be replicated within one's relationship with God.
Thus it is unremarkable that God states emphatically:
"For the LORD God of Israel says that He
hates divorce, For it covers one’s garment with violence," Says
the LORD of hosts. ”
This divorce is clearly seen as something totally
against Divine principles and is abhorrent to God.
It is clear then that
Jesus would not in any way go against this God given principle. With
this in mind Jesus forthrightly said divorce was permitted because of
"hardness of...heart" (Mark 10:5) Sop then we must ask
ourselves:
-
Would Jesus then advocate or condone
such hardness of heart?
-
Would Jesus allow a breaking
of a solemn covenant made before God?
-
Would Jesus advocate
something that God hates?
The answer is simple, of course not!
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