“When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house.”
Context: Deuteronomy is part of the Torah, the first five books of the Old Testament, which is also known as the Pentateuch. It contains laws and regulations given by God to the Israelites through Moses. Deuteronomy is specifically a recapitulation of the law for the new generation of Israelites before they enter the Promised Land.
Marriage and Divorce: In this verse, Moses addresses the issue of divorce. It begins with the assumption that a man has taken a wife and married her. However, circumstances arise where the man finds some “uncleanness” in her. The exact meaning of “uncleanness” is not explicitly defined in this verse, but it refers to some form of marital misconduct or indecency. It is important to note that this verse is descriptive rather than prescriptive, meaning it is describing a practice rather than endorsing it.
Writing a Bill of Divorcement: If the man finds some “uncleanness” in his wife, he is instructed to write her a bill of divorcement. This bill would formalize the divorce, serving as evidence that the woman is free from the marriage bond. By giving her the bill of divorcement, the husband is effectively dissolving the marriage and releasing the woman from his household.
Sending Her Out of His House: The husband is further instructed to give the bill of divorcement into his wife’s hand and send her out of his house. This indicates that she is to leave his dwelling and no longer be part of his household. The bill of divorcement provides legal protection for the wife, allowing her to remarry or move on with her life.
Jesus’ Teaching on Divorce: While Deuteronomy allows for divorce in certain circumstances, it is important to consider Jesus’ teaching on this matter. In the New Testament, Jesus affirms God’s original intention for marriage, stating that divorce was allowed in the Mosaic Law due to the hardness of people’s hearts (Matthew 19:8). Jesus emphasizes that divorce should be avoided, except in cases of sexual immorality (Matthew 19:9). He teaches that marriage is a lifelong commitment between a man and a woman.
Cultural Context: It is essential to interpret this verse within its cultural context. At the time, divorce was common in the ancient Near East, and Moses was regulating an existing practice rather than endorsing it as an ideal. This passage aimed to provide some measure of protection for the wife in cases of marital misconduct.
God’s Design for Marriage: While Deuteronomy allows for divorce, it is important to remember that God’s original intention for marriage is a lifelong covenant between a man and a woman. Marriage is meant to reflect the relationship between Christ and the Church (Ephesians 5:22-33). Christians are encouraged to pursue reconciliation, forgiveness, and faithfulness in their marriages.
In conclusion, Deuteronomy 24:1 provides instructions regarding divorce in the Mosaic Law, allowing for the dissolution of a marriage if a man finds some uncleanness in his wife. However, it is crucial to consider Jesus’ teaching on divorce and God’s original design for marriage, emphasizing lifelong commitment and reconciliation.
