What does Malachi 2:16 mean when God says, 'I hate divorce'?
Malachi 2:16
ESV - 16 "For the man who does not love his wife but divorces her, says the Lord, the God of Israel, covers his garment with violence, says the Lord of hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not be faithless."
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Asked July 01 2013
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Anonymous (via GotQuestions)
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S. Michael Houdmann
Supporter
In Malachi 2:16 we read, "'I hate divorce,' says the LORD God of Israel." In our society, where the divorce rate is near 50 percent, this wording jars us. We have become so used to divorce that the...
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James Fehr
Supporter
God doesn't make laws just because He's God and has the power to do what He wants. God makes laws for our own good. When you study the Ten Commandments, the first half are for us to love and honour God and the others are so that we don't hurt people. When a divorce happens, someone always gets hurt and that is why God hates divorce. He does not like to see his children go through things that hurt them deeply. I am a father and if someone does something to hurt my kids, it hurts me even more, or at least that's how I feel. I believe that every parent knows how that goes. A family here on earth is a small replica of what Gods family is all about.
Bennie Odiase
Supporter
The marriage covenant and institution was founded by God and on God, as seen in the joining of Eve to Adam in Genesis. Divorce was not God's plan or idea for any couple that He has joined together. In spite of what Adam and Eve went through, it was never recorded that they had a divorce because the foundation of their marriage was God. He made and brought Adam his wife and He conducted the wedding ceremony i.e the joining of the couple....Mathew 19:4-6. Verse 6 of this scripture says " What therefore GOD HAS JOINED together, let no man (the couple inclusive) separate". A God-ordained marriage is a tripartite union and covenant relationship between the couple and God - collectively and individually, with God being at the apex of this union while the couple is joined laterally. So, divorce in this case, is not merely separation among the couple but also separation from God. There are a lot of marriages that are not ordained of God, so it is expected that God will not be involved in the joining, so then whatever God has not joined together can be put asunder because the foundation is faulty. The right foundation is very pivotal to the sustenance of any relationship or thing. As much as God hates divorce, I believe the underlying message is : Avoid divorce by all means and at all cost, by realigning with God's original intent and purpose for our lives. When we embrace the redemptive work of Christ and align with it, we come into a holy union with the Lord the same way Adam was before the fall. His heart was totally taken over by the Lord, so accepting God's will for him in marriage was not a problem. He accepted Eve as God's will for him. As believers, our intimacy with the Lord is very pivotal to our marital destinies in Christ.
Robert Woods
Supporter
Whenever one looks at/studies the Word I find it very important to look at who certain passages of scripture were written to. Malachi was written to the Temple Priests. Mal 1:6 A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? And if I be a master, where is my fear? Saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name? Divorce was allowed under the Law for a few specific things, however, as they always did, the priests had greatly expanded the exceptions and were making much $$ from it. A really good example of why we should pay attention to whom things are written is in Matthew where he writes about who Christ's ministry was for. Mat 10:5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: Mat 10:6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Mat 15:22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. Mat 15:23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. Mat 15:24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Context is very important!
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