In religious discussions, people tend to quote various sources. Some people lean on what theologians say. Theologians may give what Christians said centuries ago. While consulting Christian writers and scholars throughout the centuries is not fruitless, too often these become the center focus rather than the word of God. To Timothy, the inspired apostle Paul noted: “that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:15-17). Scriptures are writings that were breathed from the mouth of God. We are to live by every word that proceeds from His divine mouth (Matthew 4:4). These writings are not cunningly devised fables, the product of the imagination of man; no, the Holy Spirit moved and bore along holy men of God to produce Scripture (2 Peter 1:20-21). Paul recognized the words he wrote were the commandments of God (1 Corinthians 14:37). Peter recognized Paul’s writings as Scripture among other Scriptures of God (2 Peter 3:15-16). Paul recognized Luke’s writing as Scripture alongside the book of Deuteronomy that came through Moses (1 Timothy 5:18; cf. Luke 10:7; Deuteronomy 25:4). David recognized that he was speaking by the Holy Spirit—God’s word was on his tongue (2 Samuel 23:2).

Romans 10:6-8 addresses the accessibility of the word of God. Perhaps only the most educated can understand certain writings of philosophy or can grasp the array of writings of scholars throughout the centuries in regard to Christian thought. By quoting Deuteronomy 30:11-14, Paul’s point in Romans 10 is that God has not made His commandments too esoteric to ascertain nor too difficult to obey. God made His commands accessible because He wanted Israel to live by them (cf. Leviticus 18:5). He wants the same for us today. Romans 10:17 goes on to say, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” If all you study is the scholars and their debates, you may very well be left in doubt and dismay. No human can speak with such clarity and authority as God; for example, consider His words “Thou shalt not…”. Who else besides God can say that with any authority? Human opinions may not establish much certainty. However, if you focus on the words given by God, it will produce faith. A strong faith in God’s word gives so much wisdom and peace that even the best of worldly scholarship from human minds cannot give.

Jesus did not teach as a scribe, nor quote previous rabbis and their tedious debates; rather, He spoke with authority and the people were astonished (Matthew 7:28-29). Jesus did not study at the rabbinical schools (John 7:15). However, He dwelt among us as the Word made flesh (John 1:14). Jesus has the words of eternal life (John 6:63, 68). The common people heard Him gladly (Mark 12:37). Indeed, no one has ever spoken like Jesus (John 7:46). His words will last forever (Matthew 24:35) and judge us in the last day (John 12:48). Let’s keep what God has said as our focus. His word is the authority, producing faith, correcting us when we are wrong, and outfitting us for every good work. The Bible makes us wise to salvation. It will judge us in the end.

When asked about divorce, Jesus said, “Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder” (Mt. 19:4-6). The Lord Jesus considered marriage to be a binding covenant between a man, a woman and God. To be treacherous and break the covenant of marriage displeases God (Mal. 2:14-16). Instead of continuing Mosaic legislation regarding divorce and remarriage, Jesus said, “Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery” (Mt. 18:8, 9). Jesus remarked on the difficulty this would pose for people to receive this saying.

Saul offered his daughter, Michal, to David to wife that David might die at the hand of the Philistines (Sam. 18:24). Yet, David paid the dowry for Michal and she became his wife (1 Sam. 18:27). Michal loved David and even deceived her father in order to give David time to escape from Saul’s attempt to take David’s life (1 Sam. 19:11-17). However, while David was on the run, Saul gave Michal to Phaltiel, the son of Laish (1 Sam. 25:44).

After the death of Saul, there was a war between the house of Saul and the house of David.  Abner, the commander of Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, had a falling out with Ishbosheth and proposed forming a league with David.  David agreed to the proposal, but had a condition: Michal must return to him (2 Sam. 3:12-16).

When Michal was delivered to David, Phaltiel followed behind her weeping. The tears of Phaltiel are no doubt real.  His marriage to Michal had brought an emotional closeness.  The severing of this union caused great pain.  Our heart goes out to Phaltiel, but we recognize the underlying fact that Michal was another man’s wife.  No emotional turmoil Phaltiel may have suffered could change that. 

In what sense does 2 Samuel 3:16 refer to Phaltiel as Michal’s husband?  In the sense that they had a civil agreement that recognized them as married but was not divinely approved. This accommodative manner of referring to the union is similar to the term “married” in Mark 6:17—referring to the arrangement between Herod and Herodias that lacked divine approval. Saul had arranged Michal’s marriage to Phaltiel in violation of her original marital covenant to David. This has been a problem throughout time.  Man, by civil laws, may declare a couple married, but God has not approved of the marriage.  Why?  Because God considers the former marriage covenant still binding.  Romans 7:1-3 uses marriage as an illustration of how the law is binding upon a person until death. This is why Jesus in Matthew 19:9 said that marrying another is adultery, because God still considers the original marriage covenant binding. Matthew 19:9 gives fornication as the sole exception. If one’s spouse is guilty of fornication, then one may put away the fornicator and marry another who is eligible for marriage.

The issue of divorce and remarriage was hotly debated and emotionally charged back in Bible times and it is today as well.  With the number of families not living according to God pattern for the family on the increase, this issue will not go away any time soon. Will we stay with God’s word?