BESIDES FORNICATION, ARE THERE ANY OTHER
ACTS THAT ALLOW CHRISTIANS TO DIVORCE
THEIR SPOUSES AT THE PRESENT TIME?

THE PRINCIPLES OF THE LAW OF GOD THROUGH
MOSES STILL REMAIN,  WITH SOME EXCEPTIONS.
Under the Mosaic Law, a husband could divorce his wife for "something indecent* on her part".  (Deut 24:1 NWT). Other translations read: "something shameful in her" (NEB); "found her immodest in some way" (Moffatt); or "found some indecency in her". (RSV).  (This indecency did not include adultery, for adultery under Mosaic Law carried the penalty of death.  Lev 20:10).

CHRIST'S SACRIFICE ABOLISHED DECREES OF THE MOSAIC LAW,
FEAR OF PUNISHMENT AND ENMITY BETWEEN JEW AND GENTILE.

The apostle Paul said of our Lord Jesus: "By means of his flesh he abolished the enmity, the Law of commandments consisting in decrees". (Eph 2:15). The Mosaic Law issued to the Jews included decrees and regulations, and cultivated obedience by fear of its punishments. But the decrees issued through Moses were not the very principles with which God ultimately intended to create a holy people. The Christ's sacrifice abolished the decrees of the old covenant and the enmity they created between Jew and Gentile. The Mosaic Law was but a tutor leading to Christ. (Gal 3:24,25). It is the Law of the Spirit through The Christ which is now to be obeyed, complying with its holy principles by faith. (Rom 8:1,2). It is not a Law based upon fear of punishment for disobedience, which the Mosaic Law proved to be.

Under the Spirit Law of The Christ, "something indecent* on her part" would include the prolonged showing of disrespect to one's husband and/or to the husband's father or other members of his family. Bringing serious reproach upon them is another form of indecency. A husband does not have to tolerate such indecency from his wife. Our Lord's instruction through Paul is applicable in such cases, as neither a husband nor a wife is expected to live under the servitude of indecency.  (See 1 Cor 7:15).

Given that under the Mosaic Law the penalty for a wife's act of fornication was death, what is stated in Deuteronomy 24:1 is in relation to indecencies other than fornication which also merited a certificate of divorce. For it states"…in case the latter man who took her as his wife should die, the first owner of her who dismissed her will not be allowed to take her back again to become his wife after she has been defiled; for that is something detestable before Jehovah..." (Deut 24:3,4).  It is important to note that Deuteronomy 24:2-4 no longer applies under the Spirit Law of The Christ, for only if one's spouse dies can one remarry.  (See Rom 7:2,3).

When shameful disrespect is shown by a wife to her husband, especially to one who is a servant of the Lord, and she continues this shameful conduct over an extended period of time and disregards correction, their marriage has broken down through her indecency. This behaviour merits their separation until she comes back to her senses. Similarly, it is not a requirement that a woman suffer improper behaviour from a husband who treats her and/or their children with prolonged indecency or violence. Under the Law of The Christ a woman is not compelled to remain in servitude to her husband under such circumstances.  (1 Cor 7:15).

OTHER EXAMPLES OF INDECENCY:
Disregarding the headship of one's husband or disrespecting the position of one's wife before God, committing evil acts to dispirit one's spouse, being persistently insolent, scornful, jealous, abusive, violent, etc.

(Cont. on Page 23/7/92B).

23/7/92A.
 

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