Biblical Answer

Why God Allowed Divorce in the Old Testament

God allowed divorce in the Old Testament as a concession to human frailty. The Old Testament, while explicitly forbidding divorce in some cases (Deut 22:13-21, 28-30), made provision for divorce due to the hardness of the human heart (Matt 19:8-9). This concession was not an endorsement of divorce, but rather a recognition that the ideal of a monogamous marriage was not always met. Moses, Jesus, and Paul acknowledged this reality and established restrictions and safeguards to mitigate the damage caused by sin.

The Concession of Divorce

The concession of divorce in the Old Testament was not unique to this practice. God also tolerated polygamy because of the hardness of the human heart (Mal 2:16). The prophet Malachi reported that God hates divorce, viewing it as a form of violence. However, God's allowance of divorce was not a reflection of His will, but rather a concession to human frailty. Jesus pointed out that Moses had not commanded divorce, although his words allowed it (Matt 19:7-8). This concession was a limitation on the damage caused by sin, rather than a promotion of divorce.

The Limitation of Divorce

The limitation of divorce in the Old Testament is evident in the guidelines set by Moses in Deuteronomy 24:1-4. While Moses did not endorse divorce, he neither forbade it. Instead, he established rules to govern the process of divorce, recognizing that it was a concession to human frailty. The Pharisees, who sought to justify divorce based on Moses' words, were mistaken in their understanding. Jesus corrected them, pointing out that Moses had not commanded divorce, but rather allowed it as a concession to human frailty (Matt 19:7-8). This limitation on divorce serves as a reminder of the importance of recognizing the complexity of human relationships and the need for compassion and understanding in addressing the challenges that arise. Divine mercy is reflected in the allowances made for human frailty, and in the limitations placed on the damage caused by sin.