"BREAK WEDLOCK"?
It is suggested by some that adultery breaks the marriage-bond, and the Authorized Version of Ezekiel 16:38 is quoted, where, speaking of His relationship with the southern kingdom of Judah God says, "And I will judge thee, as women that break wedlock and shed blood are judged". However, the word translated "break wedlock" is the Hebrew "naaph". Any concordance will tell you that it simply means "to commit adultery", and is always translated so elsewhere. God is simply saying that He will judge Judah as women who commit adultery are judged.
If adultery breaks the marriage-bond, whenever a man or woman commit adultery, they bring their marriage to an end, and are then either single again, or married to the one with whom they have committed adultery. They would no longer be bonded in covenant-relationship with their husband or wife. Scripture teaching is clear! ADULTERY DOES NOT BREAK THE MARRIAGE-BOND! Only the death of one of the partners can do that.We do not see those who take this view insisting that such should either remain separate from their partner, or go through a form of re-marriage to them, before they can be reconciled. Nor do they insist that an adulterer is now married to the one with whom they have committed adultery. Why not? Scripture teaching is clear! ADULTERY DOES NOT BREAK THE MARRIAGE-BOND! Only the death of one of the partners can do that.
If we take the analogy of God as a husband to Israel, we see a husband who says to his wife, "I have loved thee with an everlasting love" (Jer 31:3). Israel, However, played the whore, and "took many lovers" (Jer 3:1). In other words, she went after idols. "Surely, as a wife treacherously departeth from her husband, so have ye dealt treacherously with me, O house of Israel, saith Yahweh" (Jer 3:20). "She went after her lovers, and forgat me, saith Yahweh" (Hos 2:13). In the face of such continued desertion, God accepted that such misconduct had separated Zion from Him. "Thus saith Yahweh, Where is the bill of your mother's divorcement, whom I have put away? or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your mother put away" (Isa 50:1). "But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear" (Isa 59:2). God had shown utmost patience with Israel, but they had turned from him to idolatry and would not hear his pleas. The time came when he had to acknowledge that their whoredoms had caused a separation which would take time to overcome. The greatest lesson is that although we may put away our marriage partner, yet so far as God is concerned, the marriage still exists — we are still husband and wife!"For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called. For the LORD hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God. For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer. For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee. For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee" (Isa 54:5-10). Although God had been forced to acknowledge the rift which already existed between Himself and his "wife" by "putting her away", yet HE WAS STILL HER HUSBAND, AND THEREFORE SHE WAS STILL HIS WIFE. "And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce....... Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you" (Jer 3:8 & 14). God is not a covenant-breaker, for He condemns covenant-breakers! He is still married to Israel, and will yet bring her back to Him. He has never closed the door to Israel's return, and in spite of her backsliding, the time will come when God will persuade Israel to return to Him. "Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her (Hebrew "to her heart")......And it shall be at that day, saith the LORD, that thou shalt call me Ishi (My Husband); and shalt call me no more Baali (My Lord)" (Hos 2:14 & 16). Such is the example of God's faithfulness toward Israel! His only thought has been of reconciliation, and He is working to bring about that reconciliation. If our partner strays, then, like the Almighty, we must never close the door, but seek reconciliation. And the greatest lesson is that although we may put away our marriage partner, yet so far as God is concerned, the marriage still exists — we are still husband and wife!