Lookin^Up
09-08-2006, 03:06 AM
"The Lord God hath saith, ‘I HATE DIVORCE!’"
How often have we heard Malachi 2:16 thundered from pulpits? Fortunately, since I’ve been attending a church that focuses on healing people’s hurts, I don’t hear it as much anymore, but some televangelists are another matter. The attitude is still out there, firing cannons of judgment at us who were victimized by self-serving spouses. "God hates divorce, so what do you think you’re doing trying to be a minister, you poor excuse for a Christian?"
Of course, the Scripture is true; God does hate divorce, but nowhere does He say He hates divorcés. Malachi 2:16 NIV fully reads, "‘I hate divorce,’ says the Lord God of Israel, ‘and I hate a man’s covering himself with violence as well as with his garment,’ says the Lord Almighty. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith [with the wife of your youth (verse 15)]."
In every instance where God pronounces judgment for sin, or where He turns his wrath against an evil society, there is always a measure of compassion. It’s against His character to not provide a way to escape (1 Corinthians 10:13). Reading the Malachi passage in context, we see that He is telling married people, "Because I hate divorce, you must stay true to your wives. It’s the only way I will answer your prayers and accept your offerings."
But what if it’s too late for that? Are we forever doomed to be out of God’s merciful graces, just because we’re no longer married? Even if we were the unwitting casualty of it? Not according to many verses and passages that speak of God’s love for the downtrodden, of His grace and mercy to all sinners. Even those who had instigated divorce can find Him merciful and willing to forgive, if only they would confess their sin. Forgiving the other person for wrongs done—literally "letting go" so healing can begin—will go a long way in this process.
But can the divorcé ever minister before the Lord? Traditionally, a lot of churches have voiced a resounding NO! But what did Jesus say, He who is supposed to be our Example? What was His attitude toward the Samaritan woman He talked to outside of Sychar? "I’m not going to talk to you because you’ve been married 5 times and now have a live-in boyfriend. You’re lower than low, not worthy of God’s grace, much less to minister." Hardly! He accepted the fact of her past and proceeded to point her to God (John 4:16-30). Not only that, but she became a minister to her own city, bringing the townspeople out to hear what Jesus had to say! Now if Jesus could gloss over one sordid past to save many more people, how can we as the church do any less?
Jesus told the prostitute caught in the act, "Neither do I condemn thee. Go and sin no more" (John 8:11 KJV). He told Matthew, a tax collector—one of the most loathsome occupations in polite Jewish society—to follow Him, and he did (Matthew 9:9). To those who objected to Him eating with Matt’s reprobate buddies, however, He said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners" (Matthew 9:12-13 NIV).
Powerful words, yet words often ignored. Jesus can forgive the prostitute, the gambler, the scoundrel, the murderer, among other wretches; no Christian has a problem believing that. Yet somehow divorce seems much more heinous in people’s minds. Yes, divorced people can minister; they can do great things for God. Show me one minister who has not sinned. Like the Pharisees (John 8:7-9), they’d have to filter away one by one in shame. If anything, a divorcé’s ministry would be all the more powerful because of the depth from which he has risen.
"What God has joined together, let man not separate," said Jesus in Matthew 19:6 NIV. Let’s not get hung up over terminology; in the sense of "mankind," women are included. Our God is a God of unity, not division. Man, on the other hand, is notorious for dividing rather than uniting. What’s worse, man further divides people from the church—the best place for hope and healing—when he discriminates against those whom God has forgiven, against those He has chosen to unite with Himself.
Granted, divorce should never happen. Especially if the divorcing partner lays claim to Christianity, there is never an excuse for it. A prayer for strength and renewed love for the spouse is bound to work wonders in a relationship, but only if that prayer is sincere and God’s answer is followed. Several marriages have been reconciled this way; they are great stories to hear, and probably much better to experience. That is the true meaning of Malachi’s injunction.
Bottom line: when God forgives, it’s as though the sin never happened. It works for divorce as easily as for any other misdeed. Where sin never happened, ministry is bound to follow, as it should.
"[The Lord] has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners … to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor" (Isaiah 61:1-3 NIV, italics mine).
How often have we heard Malachi 2:16 thundered from pulpits? Fortunately, since I’ve been attending a church that focuses on healing people’s hurts, I don’t hear it as much anymore, but some televangelists are another matter. The attitude is still out there, firing cannons of judgment at us who were victimized by self-serving spouses. "God hates divorce, so what do you think you’re doing trying to be a minister, you poor excuse for a Christian?"
Of course, the Scripture is true; God does hate divorce, but nowhere does He say He hates divorcés. Malachi 2:16 NIV fully reads, "‘I hate divorce,’ says the Lord God of Israel, ‘and I hate a man’s covering himself with violence as well as with his garment,’ says the Lord Almighty. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith [with the wife of your youth (verse 15)]."
In every instance where God pronounces judgment for sin, or where He turns his wrath against an evil society, there is always a measure of compassion. It’s against His character to not provide a way to escape (1 Corinthians 10:13). Reading the Malachi passage in context, we see that He is telling married people, "Because I hate divorce, you must stay true to your wives. It’s the only way I will answer your prayers and accept your offerings."
But what if it’s too late for that? Are we forever doomed to be out of God’s merciful graces, just because we’re no longer married? Even if we were the unwitting casualty of it? Not according to many verses and passages that speak of God’s love for the downtrodden, of His grace and mercy to all sinners. Even those who had instigated divorce can find Him merciful and willing to forgive, if only they would confess their sin. Forgiving the other person for wrongs done—literally "letting go" so healing can begin—will go a long way in this process.
But can the divorcé ever minister before the Lord? Traditionally, a lot of churches have voiced a resounding NO! But what did Jesus say, He who is supposed to be our Example? What was His attitude toward the Samaritan woman He talked to outside of Sychar? "I’m not going to talk to you because you’ve been married 5 times and now have a live-in boyfriend. You’re lower than low, not worthy of God’s grace, much less to minister." Hardly! He accepted the fact of her past and proceeded to point her to God (John 4:16-30). Not only that, but she became a minister to her own city, bringing the townspeople out to hear what Jesus had to say! Now if Jesus could gloss over one sordid past to save many more people, how can we as the church do any less?
Jesus told the prostitute caught in the act, "Neither do I condemn thee. Go and sin no more" (John 8:11 KJV). He told Matthew, a tax collector—one of the most loathsome occupations in polite Jewish society—to follow Him, and he did (Matthew 9:9). To those who objected to Him eating with Matt’s reprobate buddies, however, He said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners" (Matthew 9:12-13 NIV).
Powerful words, yet words often ignored. Jesus can forgive the prostitute, the gambler, the scoundrel, the murderer, among other wretches; no Christian has a problem believing that. Yet somehow divorce seems much more heinous in people’s minds. Yes, divorced people can minister; they can do great things for God. Show me one minister who has not sinned. Like the Pharisees (John 8:7-9), they’d have to filter away one by one in shame. If anything, a divorcé’s ministry would be all the more powerful because of the depth from which he has risen.
"What God has joined together, let man not separate," said Jesus in Matthew 19:6 NIV. Let’s not get hung up over terminology; in the sense of "mankind," women are included. Our God is a God of unity, not division. Man, on the other hand, is notorious for dividing rather than uniting. What’s worse, man further divides people from the church—the best place for hope and healing—when he discriminates against those whom God has forgiven, against those He has chosen to unite with Himself.
Granted, divorce should never happen. Especially if the divorcing partner lays claim to Christianity, there is never an excuse for it. A prayer for strength and renewed love for the spouse is bound to work wonders in a relationship, but only if that prayer is sincere and God’s answer is followed. Several marriages have been reconciled this way; they are great stories to hear, and probably much better to experience. That is the true meaning of Malachi’s injunction.
Bottom line: when God forgives, it’s as though the sin never happened. It works for divorce as easily as for any other misdeed. Where sin never happened, ministry is bound to follow, as it should.
"[The Lord] has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners … to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor" (Isaiah 61:1-3 NIV, italics mine).