Has G-d Divorced Israel?

taken from sermon by Rabbi Ken Alpren
Summary by: Teresa Bennett, Pharm.D.
August 21, 2010

D’varim Deuteronomy 24:1-4
"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. 2 She leaves his house, goes and becomes another man's wife; 3 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. 4 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.”

G-d’s purpose in marriage was defined with the original marriage of Adam and Eve as described in Genesis 2:18, “ADONAI, G-d, said, "It isn't good that the person should be alone. I will make for him a companion suitable for helping him." and Genesis 2:24, “This is why a man is to leave his father and mother and stick with his wife, and they are to be one flesh.”

It is G-d’s divine plan for us to have a companion and to procreate.

These principles can be applied to His marriage to Israel and to His Bride through Messiah. We are to know Him intimately as first mentioned in Genesis 4:1 “The man had sexual relations with Havah his wife; she conceived, gave birth to Kayin [acquisition] and said, "I have acquired a man from ADONAI." The Hebrew word used in this passage is ‘yada’ which means to know Him. This principle is also revealed in 1Corinthians 6:15-17, “Don't you know that your bodies are parts of the Messiah? So, am I to take parts of the Messiah and make them parts of a prostitute? Heaven forbid! 16 Don't you know that a man who joins himself to a prostitute becomes physically one with her? For the Tanakh says, "The two will become one flesh"; 17 but the person who is joined to the Lord is one spirit.” In this way, we are part of Him and He is part of us.

Secondly, we are to procreate. That is, bring others to know Him. See Proverbs 11:30 and Daniel 12:3. G-d wants us to participate with Him to draw others to Himself which mirrors procreation.

We see in Deuteronomy 24:1, that a wife who displeases her husband is issued a get, or Bill of Divorcement. There is controversy at to the grounds for divorce allowed by Scripture. When is it permissible? We know that G-d hates divorce; it is not what He intended. But there are times when it is permitted due to human circumstances. Messiah answered this directly as recorded in Matthew 19:3-9, “Some P'rushim came and tried to trap him by asking, "Is it permitted for a man to divorce his wife on any ground whatever?" 4 He replied, "Haven't you read that at the beginning the Creator made them male and female, 5 and that he said, `For this reason a man should leave his father and mother and be united with his wife, and the two are to become one flesh'? 6 Thus they are no longer two, but one. So then, no one should split apart what God has joined together." 7 They said to him, "Then why did Moshe give the commandment that a man should hand his wife a get and divorce her?" 8 He answered, "Moshe allowed you to divorce your wives because your hearts are so hardened. But this is not how it was at the beginning. 9 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!" Additionally, Scripture cites abandonment in 1Corinthians 7:15. And although not specifically cited in Scripture, abuse, especially when one’s life is in danger, would be obvious grounds for divorce.

It is also obvious from Scripture that divorce is not an option due to incompatibility or if one is attracted to someone else.

Since there are cases when G-d permits divorce, we should be cautiously aware of self-righteousness and choose grace rather than judgement. In the same way, we should be cautious not to advocate it either, but to always encourage reconciliation.

Hosea waited years before Gomer, his wife was restored to him. See Hosea 2:19-20. G-d loves the divorcee. So should we.

Has G-d divorced Israel or has He remarried her?

Clearly, Deuteronomy 24 does not advocate divorce followed by remarriage. So, either G-d has divorced Israel or He never did. We believe Scripture makes it clear that G-d never divorced Israel. He has never left her nor will He ever leave us. See Isaiah 50:1ADONAI says: "Where is your mother's divorce document which I gave her when I divorced her? Or: to which of my creditors did I sell you? You were sold because of your sins; because of your crimes was your mother divorced.” It is understood in this passage that by the L-rd asking the question, He is saying that a divorce document would not be found because He hasn’t divorced Israel. And Jeremiah 3:8, “I saw that even though backsliding Isra'el had committed adultery, so that I had sent her away and given her a divorce document, unfaithful Y'hudah her sister was not moved to fear - instead she too went and prostituted herself.” These passages indicate a temporary divorce; what we would refer to today as a separation.

G-d’s heart was broken for Israel; and He hasn’t given up on her. His heart is for her return. Jeremiah 3:14, "Return, backsliding children," says ADONAI; "for I am your master. I will take you, one from a city, two from a family, and bring you to Tziyon.”

Experientially, the relationship is as if it were dead, but G-d is wooing her back to Him. We believe this is indicative of where Israel and G-d are now. See Hosea 2:14-20. He is wooing her back because He is betrothed to her forever.

Hosea 2:20, “I will betroth you to me forever; yes, I will betroth you to me in righteousness, in justice, in grace and in compassion; 20 I will betroth you to me in faithfulness, and you will know ADONAI.”

We see clearly that G-d is married to Israel, has pleaded with her not to go away but she does. He disciplines her through a temporary divorce and is wooing her back and will rededicate the marriage with her.

His judgement is not final but He judges in order to bring a restoration of the covenant relationship. He deals with the Bride of Messiah likewise. We are joined with Him in Messiah, we are disciplined because we are sons and daughters and because we are His, He woos us back and the fruit of the discipline is righteousness. See Hebrews 12:6-11, Proverbs 12:1, 1 Corinthians 11:32 and 2 Corinthians 6:14-18

Further Reading: Romans 8:35, 38-39, Romans 11:1-2, 5