What are the consequences of remarrying a former spouse according to Deuteronomy 24:4? Setting the Scriptural Context Deuteronomy 24:1-4 outlines a situation where a husband divorces his wife, she marries another man, that second marriage ends, and the first husband considers taking her back. Verse 4 delivers God’s verdict on that possibility. Key Verse Highlight “then her first husband who divorced her is not permitted to marry her again after she has been defiled. For that is detestable to the LORD, and you must not bring sin upon the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance.” (Deuteronomy 24:4) Immediate Consequences Named in the Text • Not Permitted: The original husband is flatly forbidden to remarry her. • Defilement Acknowledged: The wife is called “defiled” for the purposes of returning to the first husband, underscoring the seriousness of covenant bonds. • Detestable to the LORD: God labels such remarriage an abomination, stressing His moral revulsion toward the act. • Corporate Guilt: Israel would “bring sin upon the land,” meaning national accountability follows personal disobedience. Spiritual and Communal Implications • Sanctity of the Marriage Covenant – Marriage is presented as a one-time, lifetime covenant, mirroring God’s fidelity (Malachi 2:14-16). – Treating marriage casually undermines God’s design and invites divine displeasure. • Protection Against Exploitation – The law guards women from being traded back and forth, preventing a cycle of instability and potential abuse. • Holiness of the Community – Individual marital choices affect the entire covenant community; sin is never isolated (Joshua 7:1-12). Confirming Witnesses from the Rest of Scripture • Jeremiah 3:1 echoes Deuteronomy 24:4, using the same scenario to illustrate Israel’s unfaithfulness: “Would that land not be defiled?” • Matthew 19:6 reiterates the permanence of the marriage bond: “What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” • Romans 7:2-3 affirms that remarriage is only licit after a spouse’s death, showing God’s constant standard across covenants. Timeless Principles for Today • God takes vows seriously; believers must weigh marital decisions prayerfully and biblically. • Repentance is always available, yet true repentance does not ignore or override God’s stated commands. • The wellbeing of the wider faith community is intertwined with each family’s faithfulness, reminding us to pursue holiness for the sake of all. |
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