12 Surprising Teachings about Marriage in the Bible

7. God hates divorce* (but He loves divorced people).

God is full of love, and the Bible doesn’t give many examples of things God “hates,” but divorce is on the list. Because God has so much love for marriage, his heart breaks over the pain of divorce (and our hearts should break too). There are certainly circumstances where divorce may be the only remaining option, but far too many couples see divorce as a first response instead of a last resort.

“For I hate divorce!” says the Lord, the God of Israel. “To divorce your wife is to overwhelm her with cruelty,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “So guard your heart; do not be unfaithful to your wife.” Malachi 2:16

*If you are divorced and/or in a second marriage, please don’t read this and feel judged or shamed. When I read everything the Bible has to say about grace, and the examples of all the great leaders in the Bible who fell far short of God’s standard, I’m comforted in knowing God gives second chances and new beginnings. You can’t change the past, but you can start now and build a new future with each other.
#8 might change your priorities in marriage...