Key Passage
Jesus said, “Moses wrote that command for you because you refused to accept God’s teaching.”
— Mark 10:5 ERV (Read Full Text)
Key Thought
What Moses did in allowing the children of Israel a legal means of divorce (see verses 1-4 or yesterday’s WJD!) was done only as a concession. It was not God’s original plan. It was not what was best for the people involved. It was allowed only because of the hard hearts of the people who wouldn’t honor their vows to each other and to God. In a world where people continue to break their vows, refuse to be faithful to each other, and wound their children, the focus shouldn’t become the legality of the concession, but should become a focus on prevention of divorce through healthy and loving marriages and restoration of those broken by divorce.
Prayer
God, I ask first that you help me be a faithful, loyal, and loving person who lives up the vows, promises, and pledges that I make. Second, dear Father, I pray that you use me to encourage others to do the same. Finally, Righteous Father, I ask that you show me the best ways to help restore and encourage those who have been wounded by divorce. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Related Scriptures
You can cry and cover the Lord’s altar with tears, but the Lord will not accept your gifts. The Lord will not be pleased with the things you bring to him. You ask, “Why are our gifts not accepted by the Lord?” Why? Because the Lord saw the bad things you did—he is a witness against you. He saw you cheat on your wife. You have been married to that woman since you were young. She was your girlfriend. Then you made your vows to each other—and she became your wife. {But you cheated on her}. God wants husbands and wives to become one body and one spirit. Why? So they would have holy children. So protect that spiritual unity. Don’t cheat on your wife. She has been your wife from the time you were young. The Lord God of Israel says, “I hate divorce. And I hate the cruel things that men do. So protect your spiritual unity. Don’t cheat on your wife.”
— Malachi 2:13-16
Now I give this command for the married people. (The command is not from me; it is from the Lord.) A wife must not leave her husband. But if a wife leaves her husband she must not marry again. Or she should go back together with her husband. Also the husband must not divorce his wife.
— 1 Corinthians 7:10-11
Be very careful when you go to worship God. It is better to listen {to God} than to give sacrifices like foolish people. Foolish people often do bad things, and they don’t even know it. Be careful when you make promises to God. Be careful about the things you say to God. Don’t let your feelings cause you to speak too soon. God is in heaven, and you are on the earth. So you need to say only a few things to God. This saying is true:
— Ecclesiastes 5:1-2
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