Biblical Answer

Why did God allow divorce in the Old Testament?

God allowed divorce in the Old Testament because of the hardness of the human heart. This is evident in the words of Moses, Jesus, and Paul, who all acknowledged that the ideal of lifelong marriage was not always met. In Deuteronomy 24:1-4, Moses set up guidelines for divorce, not endorsing it, but rather recognizing that it was a concession to human frailty. This concession was made to mitigate the damages caused by sin.

The Old Testament passage in Deuteronomy 24:1-4 does not command divorce, but rather assumes that a divorce has taken place and sets up some restrictions and safeguards. This passage is often contrasted with the more general question of what Moses commanded. Jesus pointed out that Moses did not command divorce, although his words allowed it. Divorce was a concession to human frailty, not an expression of the will of God. This nuance is important, as it suggests that God's ideal is lifelong marriage, but He allows for exceptions due to human weakness.

In the Old Testament, God hated divorce and saw it as a form of violence (Malachi 2:16). However, He tolerated it because of the hardness of the human heart. Similarly, God tolerated polygamy because of the same reason. The prohibition of divorce was not always clear in the Old Testament, but Jesus clarified it by teaching that God instituted marriage so that the two should become one flesh, and that divorce is an exception to this ideal. This understanding is essential for Christians, as it highlights the importance of lifelong marriage and the need for Christians to maintain a commitment to this ideal.