How does Matthew 5:31 connect to God's design for marriage in Genesis? Matthew 5:31 in Context - Jesus cites the common rabbinic rule: “Whoever divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.” (Matthew 5:31) - He is preparing to sharpen that rule (v. 32), but the mere citation already signals that divorce was never meant to be casual or convenient. God’s Blueprint in Genesis - Created as complementary image-bearers: “God created man in His own image; male and female He created them.” (Genesis 1:27) - Charged to steward and multiply together (Genesis 1:28). - Companionship designed by God: “It is not good for the man to be alone.” (Genesis 2:18) - One-flesh covenant: “A man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” (Genesis 2:24) How Matthew 5:31 Looks Back to Genesis - Permanence: Genesis presents marriage as a bonding so strong it forges “one flesh.” By quoting the divorce certificate requirement, Jesus reminds listeners that even Mosaic concessions never erased the original permanence. - Covenant, not contract: God formed the first marriage; people do not merely sign papers but enter a divine covenant. - Protection of the vulnerable: The certificate (Deuteronomy 24:1) shielded wives from capricious dismissal. Jesus points back beyond that safeguard to the Genesis ideal where such dismissal should never arise. Themes Jesus Reaffirms Elsewhere - Matthew 19:4-6: “What God has joined together, let man not separate.” - Malachi 2:16: “I hate divorce,” says the LORD. - Mark 10:9 echoes the same Genesis foundation. Key Takeaways for Today • Marriage is God-initiated, not human-invented. • The one-flesh union is designed to be lifelong, reflecting God’s faithful character. • Any discussion of divorce must first reckon with Genesis—not merely legal allowances. • Husbands and wives honor God’s original design when they cultivate covenant loyalty, mutual service, and sacrificial love. |
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