“Suppose a man marries a woman and consummates the marriage but later finds her displeasing, because he has found her offensive in some respect. He writes her a divorce document, gives it to her and sends her away from his house. She leaves his house, goes and becomes another man’s wife; but the second husband dislikes her and writes her a get, gives it to her and sends her away from his house; or the second husband whom she married dies. In such a case her first husband, who sent her away, may not take her again as his wife, because she is now defiled. It would be detestable to Adonai, and you are not to bring about sin in the land Adonai your God is giving you as your inheritance.”-Deuteronomy 24:1-4
There’s one thing about Deuteronomy 24:1 I have to point out.
The verse is not saying that in the Lord’s eyes, it’s perfectly okay for a man to divorce his wife for whatever reason.
The Torah views divorce as a failure of marriage…period.
In other words, while marriage is an institution, divorce is NOT.
Divorce is an improperly broken union that under ideal circumstances should never have happened.
According to the Apostle Paul, the only legitimate reason for a married couple to separate is if one them is not a believer.
“But if the unbelieving spouse separates himself, let him be separated. In circumstances like these, the brother or sister is not enslaved- God has called you to a life of peace.”-1 Corinthians 7:15
However, Yeshua had much harsher words.
“Now what I say to you is that whoever divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery!”-Matthew 19:9
Yikes!
Keep in mind that during Bible times, it was only the men who did the divorcing and because of this, it was only the men who abused their right to divorce.
Finally, understand that according to the ruling here in Deuteronomy 24, it was okay for a man to divorce his wife and remarry her again IF the wife had NOT married another person in the interim.
I’m done.
What about if a spouse turns into an Israel-hating, kill the Jews person?
Have they not then betrayed Yahweh Himself and under such a situation should the spouse depart?
If someone’s spouse hates the people of God, believes ridiculous conspiracy theories about the Jews not being the real Jews, and calls you a sinner for supporting Israel, doesn’t that mean a separation is in order. Also, I noticed the Greek for divorce where you quoted Yeshua actually says put away, not divorced. The words are not the same.
So, Yeshua is saying a man cannot put a way a woman without a divorce (separation without the official divorce) otherwise he will be guilty of adultery. Obviously, polygyny is not a sin, so that verse might not mean what we think.
There are many instances of believers being told to divorce foreign wives who did not honor the God of Israel.
Nehemiah comes to mind, when they had relearned the Torah and realized their error of marrying pagan wives.
But, the question I have is, does hating Israel and wishing for their destruction, all the while supporting God’s own enemies, give good grounds for a divorce?
I look forward to your thoughts.
I would prayerfully say yes.
But notice I said “prayerfully”.
Always seek the Lord in such matters.
I can only offer my thoughts, not the final decision on the matter.
I pray your spouse turns around.
Israel and the Jewish people are the apple of God’s eye.
That will never change for all eternity.
Wish you well.