Today's passage is a brief yet weighty word on marriage. Marriage is part of the core message of the Bible: Jesus' redemption of us, His rebellious and wayward image-bearers, culminates in a wedding feast. We who have been redeemed are His bride who He is in the process of making ready for that time (Ephesians 5.25-26).

A primary reason marriage bears such significance is because it is designed to be a living analogy of Jesus' love for us. It is the foundational human relationship on which families were to be built. What then if we were to treat it lightly, as a mere matter of convenience or comfort that can be done away with when that convenience or comfort is gone? This would tarnish the beautiful story meant to be portrayed, and tear at the heart of those once united. While divorce has become quite commonplace, it was never designed to be so by God's design. In fact, Matthew 19.3-9 adds additional clarity to today's passage, both to why it is so restricted, and why it is allowed in this one case. But even if the adultery case were to be met, these scriptures do not prescribe divorce, rather they indicate it as an option, and Matthew clarifies this was not the intent.

Moreover, Hosea demonstrates that when given the same conditions of an unfaithful bride, God chose to accept us back again and again. This is important to keep in mind, especially because of divorce's modern prevalence. Both divorce and remarriage exist in most church families--many are impacted, both directly and indirectly. While the scripture is clear this is adultery but for an extremely limited case, Hosea like other passages, such as the woman at the well (John 4.4-42) and the woman found in adultery about to be stoned (John 8.2-11), indicate that there is a right way forward wherever we are on our walk, a way to not continue in sin, and mercy to make such a way available. God supplies sufficient mercy and grace to enable us to leave the burden of sin and follow Him.

Wherever you are in relation to this verse, know that you can reach out to others--in your Discipleship Band, Community Group, prayer team, elder team, etc. We, as your brothers and sisters in Christ, desire to support you as you strive after God's will. May the word of God grant us wisdom and discernment, both for ourselves and as we support others, as well as the power to follow Him in obedience through faith.

[Luke 16.18]

18 Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and he who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery.

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ What conditions does this passage indicate are adultery?

+ What does this passage then indicate is the nature of marriage?

+ How does this passage point to God's broader story of redemption?

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ Marriage is certainly not a requirement for salvation, but many of us have been, are, or will be married. Is your approach to marriage one that indicates you are holding it up to God's standard? If not, what steps do you need to take to rectify this?

+ As brothers or sisters in Christ are working through challenges related to marriage and reach out to you for help, how can we uphold this scripture while also upholding scriptures that indicate Jesus' application of mercy? How can we support and encourage them in love without diminishing marriage or fostering sin? Who else can help with such a delicate and sensitive matter?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?