WHY DOES GOD HATE DIVORCE?
For many people it is hard to believe that God can hate anything, but He can and does. The holy scriptures make it very clear that He hates divorce and why He does. Malachi 2:14-16 is a good example. Divorce is a hot topic in our society, and sadly, in the church. A Christian was telling me recently about an acquaintance who when going through a divorce received very poor counsel by a religious man. The essence of the Preacher's (loosely used) advice was that it [divorce] would be a decision he would have to live with for the rest of his life. He gave the man no counsel from God's word. Why was he not told that God hates sin and He hates divorce and divorce is sin?
The effects of living through divorce and living in a single-parent homes are taking it's toll on our society. When our previous Vice President challenged Hollywood's portrayal and acceptance of an unwed mother in the figure Murhpy Brown he was ridiculed. Yet the research figures confirm his criticism. For children of broken homes or unwed mothers it doesn't look good. In a 1993 article, titled "Dan Quayle Was Right", Barbara Dafoe Whitehead reports on a vast body of research and offers startling figures. The effects upon these children are varied; from psychological to economic (pg. 47) Children raised by one parent experience trauma that children of a two-parent family do not. Children of broken homes wonder if they are somehow to blame for the troubles and they question if they are loved. They are much more likely to live in poverty than are children of two-parent families (pg. 60-61). Studies show that these children are more likely to suffer severe depression, do poorly in school, drop out, do drugs, and have criminal records (pg. 47). One study is cited which suggest that many of our more serious societal problems-poverty, crime, failing education-have family disruptions at the root (pg. 77). The experience and trauma on these children leaves scars that remain long into adulthood. According to the research, the lasting effects include inability to make commitments, share intimacy, or hold down a job (pg. 55). Nicholas Zill, a researcher, found that "effects of marital discord and family disruption are visible twelve to twenty years later in poor relationships with parents, high levels of problem behavior and increased likelihood of dropping out of high school and receiving psychological help (pg. 66).
Nothing can take the place of the God-designed two parent, unbroken, family. The intact family offers "greater security and better outcomes than its fast-growing alternatives: single parent and stepparent families" (pg. 80). Even without the research we Christians have understood the value of the intact, unified, and loving family. The Lord has given us His will and that is good enough for us.
...He no longer regards the offering or accepts it with favor from your hand. "Yet you say, ' For what reason?' Because the Lord has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant." (Malachi 2:13b,14)
(Whitehead, Barbara Dafoe. "Dan Quayle was Right." Atlantic Monthly Apr. 1993)
By Dan Mayfield
©1998 Dan Mayfield. Permission granted to use this article in any manner, as long as: 1) the content is not changed and 2) the name of the author is left on the article.
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