Healthy children come from healthy homes. However, children devastated by divorce must overcome many hurts and scars. Many never get over the anguish and heartbreak of homes split by divorce. A child needs a haven to harbor him and an anchor of godly parents who love him, each other, and their God. When children are denied this security, they receive wounds not easily healed.
Hosea, the heartbroken prophet who personally knew the ravages of sin in his home, says: They sow the wind, And reap the whirlwind (Hosea 8:7). For many years, our society has deemphasized the importance of permanence in marriage, and now the reaping time has come. Safety in our streets starts in the home where children receive a godly upbringing, not in increased police protection. And our restless society will wax worse because we have willingly embraced trial marriages and polygamous behavior.
Malachi speaks roughly to faithless Israel. He clearly calls them to repentance and tells them why they have no happiness, peace, or prosperity: Because the LORD has been witness Between you and the wife of your youth, With whom you have dealt treacherously; Yet she is your companion And your wife by covenant. But did He not make them one, Having a remnant of the Spirit? And why one? He seeks godly offspring. Therefore take heed to your spirit, And let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth (Malachi 2:14-16).
“Are we not all children of the same Father? Are we not all created by the same God? Then why do we betray each other, violating the covenant of our ancestors? Judah has been unfaithful, and a detestable thing has been done in Israel and in Jerusalem. The men of Judah have defiled the Lord’s beloved sanctuary by marrying women who worship idols. May the Lord cut off from the nation of Israel every last man who has done this and yet brings an offering to the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. Here is another thing you do. You cover the Lord’s altar with tears, weeping and groaning because he pays no attention to your offerings and doesn’t accept them with pleasure. You cry out, “Why doesn’t the Lord accept my worship?” I’ll tell you why! Because the Lord witnessed the vows you and your wife made when you were young. But you have been unfaithful to her, though she remained your faithful partner, the wife of your marriage vows. Didn’t the Lord make you one with your wife? In body and spirit you are his. And what does he want? Godly children from your union. So guard your heart; remain loyal to the wife of your youth. “For I hate divorce!” says the Lord, the God of Israel. “To divorce your wife is to overwhelm her with cruelty, ” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “So guard your heart; do not be unfaithful to your wife.” You have wearied the Lord with your words. “How have we wearied him?” you ask. You have wearied him by saying that all who do evil are good in the Lord’s sight, and he is pleased with them. You have wearied him by asking, “Where is the God of justice?””
Malachi 2:10-17 NLT
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