Marriage, Divorce, And Remarriage

Prima Facie is Latin for "on its face" (at first appearance). Evidence at first glance that proves its proposition (open and shut case). Only the man is permitted to initiate a divorce (Deuteronomy 24:1). Only the woman was bound to the law of her husband (Romans 7:2; 1 Corinthians 7:39). Only the man is given permission to marry when loosed (1 Corinthians 7:27). Only the woman is commanded to remain unmarried or reconcile after separation/divorce (1 Corinthians 7:11). Only the widow (not the widower) requested permission to remarry (1 Corinthians 7:39; 1 Timothy 5:9). Men had different roles in the marriage. It was designed that way from creation. Man was not created for the woman, but woman for man (1 Corinthians 11:9). Jesus told the Pharisees and Scribes that, "from the beginning [divorce] was not so" (Matthew 19:8). Marriages were designed to be for life ("till death do us part"). However, Moses permitted man to put away his wife for sexual uncleanness (Matthew 19:9). But this was allowed because of the hardness of man's heart towards his fallen wife. Man abused this limited permission and started putting away their wife for just any reason (Matthew 19:3). Jesus tried to correct this application; however, why are believers still today divorcing for irreconcilable differences? This book looks at contracts and covenants to get a better understanding of marriage, divorce, and remarriage in the Bible.