THE LAW OF MOSES
Having noted the unequivocal teaching that divorce is not allowable for followers of Jesus, now let us consider some of the arguments that have been advanced for allowing divorce and remarriage. It is argued that the Law of Moses was in favour of divorce, and Deut 24:1-4Deut 24:1-4 1 When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house. 2 And when she is departed out of his house, she may go and be another man’s wife. 3 And if the latter husband hate her, and write her a bill of divorcement, and giveth it in her hand, and sendeth her out of his house; or if the latter husband die, which took her to be his wife; 4 Her former husband, which sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that is abomination before the LORD: and thou shalt not cause the land to sin, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance. is cited as evidence. However, a closer look at this passage shows that the opposite is true. In his book, "Marriage And Divorce", Bro. John Carter says on page 36:—
"The accuracy of the translation of both A.V. and R.V., however, appears to be open to question. The American Jewish Translation reads as follows:— 'When a man hath taken a wife, and marrieth her, then it come to pass, if she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some unseemly thing in her, that he writeth her a bill of divorcement, and giveth it in her hand, and sendeth her out of his house, and she departeth out of his house, and goeth and becometh another man's wife, and the latter husband hateth her, and writeth her a bill of divorcement, and giveth it in her hand, and sendeth her out of his house; or if the latter husband die, who took her to be his wife; her former husband, who sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, AFTER THAT SHE IS DEFILED (my capitals), for that is an abomination before the LORD'.Her former husband...may not take her again to be his wife, AFTER THAT SHE IS DEFILED This translation is supported by scholars generally. The Speaker's Commentary gives the rendering: 'If a man hath taken a wife.....and given her a bill of divorcement; and (verse 2) if she has departed out of his house and become another man's wife; and (verse 3) if the latter husband hate her, then (verse 4) her former husband may not take her again'. The attached note declares that the A.V. is undoubtedly wrong in placing a full stop at the end of verse 1 and verse 2. The four verses form only one sentence......thus verse 4 lays down the law on the case. So in the LXX (Septuagint version, Ed.), and the vast majority of commentators. It is thus evident that Moses neither institutes nor enjoins divorce."
The Law of Moses was given for a nation, and God recognized that among the millions of Israel, (just like any other nation), there would be a wide diversity of character, and therefore behaviour. He recognized that among them there would be those who, "for the hardness of their hearts", would put away their wives. He accepted this inevitable situation, but expressed His disapproval by limiting and regulating, the scope for divorce. Thus, the excesses of the surrounding nations were forbidden to Israel. "Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled". As a second relationship "defiles" a woman God cannot regard it as a lawful marriage.We, as voluntary followers of Christ, are commanded to observe a higher moral standard than those who, in Israel, were the "hard of heart" among them. God does not enjoin divorce — He hates it!
The essential point to notice in Deut 24:4Deut 24:44 Her former husband, which sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that is abomination before the LORD: and thou shalt not cause the land to sin, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance., which we have just looked at, is that a woman who marries another man, after she is put away from her husband, is described as "defiled". The Hebrew word means "unclean" (Young), or "foul" (Strong). Hebrew 13:4 tells us that "marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled". As a second relationship "defiles" a woman God cannot regard it as a lawful marriage. Quite clearly, what God did not regard as lawful in the time of Moses, He must regard as at least equally unlawful between brethren and sisters of the Lord Jesus Christ. If a second marriage while the first partner is alive is not a valid marriage, IT MUST BE ADULTERY! What more proof do we want that it is wrong for brethren and sisters to either instigate divorce, or take part in remarriage after divorce?