WHAT GOD HAS JOINED LET NOT MAN SEPARATE

March 9, 2016

WHAT GOD HAS JOINED LET NOT MAN SEPARATE

Matthew 19:1–12

Steven Nguyen

Central Truth

In this passage, the Pharisees ask Jesus whether it is lawful to divorce for any cause. Jesus replies that from the very beginning it was not lawful for man and wife to divorce, for what God has joined together let not man separate.

"Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, 'Therefore a man shall leave his father and his 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." (Matthew 19:4-6)

Teaching About Divorce

1 Now when Jesus had finished these sayings, he went away from Galilee and entered the region of Judea beyond the Jordan. 2 And large crowds followed him, and he healed them there.

3 And Pharisees came up to him and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful to divorce one's wife for any cause?” 4 He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, 5 and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” 7 They said to him, “Why then did Moses command one to give a certificate of divorce and to send her away?” 8 He said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. 9 And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.”^{1

19:9
Some manuscripts add and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery; other manuscripts except for sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery}

10 The disciples said to him, “If such is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry.” 11 But he said to them, “Not everyone can receive this saying, but only those to whom it is given. 12 For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let the one who is able to receive this receive it.”

Footnotes

[1] 19:9 Some manuscripts add and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery; other manuscripts except for sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery

As a single man, this passage has changed my perspective on God's design for marriage.

Knowing how God designed marriage and what He intended for it has changed my purpose for dating. I desire to be married one day, so I train myself now to prepare for that day.

I learned three things from this passage.

The first thing I learned is about my own pride. Pride reeked from the Pharisees as they asked Jesus about divorce. They inquired how permanent God intended marriage to be. Jesus' response challenged even their understanding.

As a seminary student, I have to be prayerful to continue to be teachable and humble with the things that I am learning about the Word of God. The Pharisees tested Jesus with their own knowledge. We can sense the pride among them. I can easily do this, too, if I'm not careful.

The second thing I learned is that God intended a man and a woman to be married, and for the two to become one flesh, from the very beginning. When Jesus states, "What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate," it begs the question whether it is even possible for a husband and wife to divorce at all! If they have become one flesh, how can they?

Lastly, the third thing I learned from this passage is that if marriage is permanent, then it's best just to remain single if you can. So if you are able to accept this teaching, do it. See the Apostle Paul's observation in 1 Corinthians 7:7-9.

Understanding God's institution of marriage has taught me to respect marriage and to respect the seriousness of a vow made before the Lord by one man and one woman. I am learning to see God's glory in marriage. It represents Christ and His Church. He gave Himself up for her.

As a single man, this passage has taught me that divorce is not an option. It has changed my perspective on how I date toward the purpose of marriage.

1. Do you view marriage as permanent?

2. How does this passage affect the way you date and/or pursue your spouse?

3. What does it mean to have the gospel at the center of your dating relationship or marriage?

Marriage