Why God Hates Divorce

Malachi 2:16 is often quoted (NKJV): “For the LORD God of Israel says that He hates divorce, for it covers one’s garment with violence, says the LORD of hosts.”

So why does God hate divorce so much?

This verse tells us that it clothes a person in violence, not love. Marriage involves choosing to love another person, even when they are not “lovely” to love. They may act sinfully or selfishly but you choose to love them as Christ has loved you. It’s a choice.

People do NOT fall out of love. They only choose to quit thinking “loving” thoughts about their spouse and really begin thinking “hateful” thoughts about their spouse. Is it any wonder why they would claim to have “fallen out of love” with their spouse when they only think hateful thoughts about him/her?

Those hateful thoughts lead to violence. When someone divorces a spouse, they are suing that person. A divorce is a lawsuit against a spouse. It’s hateful. It’s violent.

The persons getting a divorce quickly become adversaries when they were never intended to be such. Instead of being one flesh, they are pulling apart something that God never intended to be separated. Imagine sawing your body in half at your belly button. That’s what a divorce is and that’s what it feels like.

So, does God hate divorce? Yes. Why? Because it does not bring glory to His name and it hurts, separates, encourages hate, and promotes violence. It will only bring heartache and harm to those family members involved, and that includes MORE people than just the two spouses!!!

-Mark (hating what God hates: divorce)