"The Pharisees also came unto Him, tempting Him, and saying unto Him, is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?"  Matthew 19:3

This was the question presented unto Jesus Christ by the forever unbelieving Pharisees concerning the issue of divorce.  First of all, let me say that the Pharisees were a hypocritically self-righteous people who emphasized strict interpretation and obedience to the Mosaic Law.  Therefore, it is highly probably that they already knew of Moses' commandment concerning divorce, but were trying to find occasion to show that Jesus was not a prophet of God.

Matthew 19:8 - Moses allowed divorce because of the hardness of the peoples' hearts, because he knew they would not be faithful in marriage.  Moses, always moved to do what he thought best for the people, gave them permission to get divorces, but it was really NOT the will of God.  The people were committing fornication and adultery, causing undue stress and frustration upon the other spouse, but divorce was not the pattern that God wanted to establish for His people.  It has been, and will always be, the will of God for a man to leave his father and mother and to cleave unto his wife until separated by death.

"Therefore shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh."  Genesis 2:24

Every marriage will endure disagreements and differences of opinion, but that is NOT justification to file for divorce.  Some have claimed that they just don't love the other spouse anymore, but that is NOT just cause for divorce.  She may have gained a few pounds and is not as attractive as when you were first married, but that is NOT just cause for divorce. 

Leviticus 18:20 tells us that we are not to commit adultery with our neighbor's wife.  Leviticus 20:10 tells us that, whoever commits adultery with another's wife, shall be put to death.  Numbers 5 gives us details of the procedure that was to be followed if a husband suspected that his wife had cheated on him with another man.  This speaks about the "spirit of jealousy" and the responsibility of the priest in determining if she had been dishonest or not.

"But I say unto you, that whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committed adultery."  This command spoken by Jesus Christ is pretty clear. Jesus made this allowance if the other spouse had been martially unfaithful, but it was still NOT the will or desire of God for us.  Matthew 5:32

GOD HATES ADULTERY - Exodus 20:14 and Deuteronomy 5:18. 

Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 6:15-16 that to commit adultery or fornication was the same as becoming one body with a harlot.  Anyone who commits this sin sins against God, against their spouse, and also against their own body.  There is NO glory given to God in these circumstances.

"The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord."  1 Corinthians 7:39

This is an extremely powerful scripture, for it expresses the TRUE mind of God concerning marital boundaries.  Romans 7:1-3 reflects that same opinion, and is pretty clear about it.  The wife is bound to her husband as long as he is alive, and, as long as he is alive, she is forbidden from marrying any other.  The vow was taken promising to remain together until separated by death.  Otherwise, she shall be considered an adulteress, and whoever marries her commits adultery.

To get on the marriage-divorce merry-go-round blasphemes the name of Jesus Christ.  It's an indictment that there's no power in God to keep our marriages together, and that's just simply not true.  As we come to Christ, He makes us new creatures, and the lust of the flesh that makes us hate our spouse enough to divorce them should be crucified in us.

"And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: but and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife."  1 Corinthians 7:10-12

Paul was pretty specific in this commandment, teaching that we are not to separate from one another.  However, recognizing that some would eventually do so, they should remain unmarried or go back to their spouse, if possible, to be reconciled. 

For those who were married to someone who is not a Christian, we are commanded to remain married, even to them if they are happy to remain married to us.  1 Corinthians 7:13-16 lets us know that, many times, the unbelieving spouse can be won to Christ if we continue to abide with them.  We are commanded not to marry those who don't worship our God, but if you are already married to someone like that, and if they are not verbally or physically abusing you, you are commanded to remain with them. 

Strife and contention arises when we are out of God's order.  Husbands are commanded to love their wives, even as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it.  Wives are commanded to submit themselves unto their own husbands, as they would unto the Lord.  Ephesians 5:22-33 and Colossians 3:18-19 gives specific details on how we are to treat one another, and if we follow these, there will never be any reason for divorce. 

I do not approach this subject like an ostrich whose head is hidden in a hole.  There are those circumstances where a spouse is being subjected to physical abuse, and some to the extent that one fears for their life.  When this happens, it's obvious that the other spouse is not pleased to dwell together.  Their actions speak louder than any words they can offer, and we should exercise wisdom and expediency in getting out of potentially death threatening situations. 

MY CONCLUSION:  God hates divorce and never wants it to happen among us.  However, He realizes that all of us won't submit ourselves to His word as we should.  There will always be disobedient ones in the midst, and to them, the law of God means nothing.  They are going to do whatever pleases their flesh, no matter what God says.  But to those who love God and desire to please Him, we must strive with all our might to fulfill His will. 

Even if the spouse has committed adultery, fornication, or something even worse, God wants us to exercise longsuffering and forgiveness.  God's mind always leads towards reconciliation FIRST.  We should fervently pray for strength in dealing with such circumstances, because divorce is NOT the will of God. 

If you have been divorced and are feeling condemned because of it, God's forgiveness is there for you.  The reasons for your divorce are not relevant, for God's love covers the multitude of sins.  All you have to do is repent and vow to obedience to the will of God.  He creates all things new, and you are no exception to the rule. 

"What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder" Mark 10:9