Exodus 21-22 Matthew 19

“Some Pharisees came to Jesus and tried to trick him. They asked, ‘Is it right for a man to divorce his wife for any reason he chooses?’” (Matthew 19:3)

In the latter stages of Jesus’s ministry, it seems that the Pharisees were seeking ways to trick Jesus. They set up situations where they thought any response by Jesus would cause people to fall away from Him. This time they sought to trick Him on the issue of divorce. They wanted Jesus to agree with the easy divorcism that some espoused, or to take a hard line against divorce. He turned their argument around by focusing on what marriage is supposed to be. And marriage, according to Jesus, is one man and one woman becoming one, together for life. Anything outside of that, including most divorces, is contrary to God’s will.

Society has the right to determine laws related to marriage, as we’ve seen in recent years. Sadly, marriage has become a political football, and divorce, among some, appears to be the expectation rather than the exception to the rule. Biblical marriage, as defined above by Jesus, has great benefits for all of society. Divorce today, as back in Jesus’s day, hurts women and children disproportionately. We in the church need to support biblical marriages. We need to help families that are struggling, especially in the area of finances. We need to celebrate those who have committed to a life long relationship under God, and then, have maintained that relationship with God’s help.

Lord, You have ordained that a man and a woman should come together in a life-long commitment called marriage. Help me to stay true to my commitment. Help us in the church to support families who have the desire to honor You through their marriages.

Scripture taken from the New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.