“I hate divorce,” says the Lord God of Israel." - Malachi 2:16 NIV
God could not be clearer—He hates divorce. Scripture actually lists three specific reasons why He feels this way.
First, divorce so often springs from adultery—a complete violation of the marital bonds. God calls this “deal[ing] treacherously” with one’s wife (Malachi 2:14–16). Second, it treats the sacred institution of marriage with contempt, as the couple has disregarded the covenant commitment they made before God (v. 15).
But perhaps God’s greatest reason for hating divorce is because of the harm it brings to children. Scripture refers to “godly offspring,” but it is difficult to have godly offspring with the children of divorce. Why is this? Because these children have seen the most sacred human relationship trivialized and destroyed. They have been disillusioned. And what do children do when they are disillusioned? They become confused and angry and often blame God, and saddest of all, they sometimes blame themselves.
God hates divorce for all the unnecessary pain it causes. But God loves the divorcee and offers His forgiveness and love. God hates divorce for the same reason divorcees and children of divorce hate divorce. He wants to spare us the pain and wants us to know the joy of marriage.
