“Jesus replied, ‘Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning.’”
Matthew 19:8
We know our perfect God to issue perfect laws. Psalm 19:7 says, “The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul.” But in Matthew 19:8 Jesus seems to say the Law of Moses did not reflect the will of God. He’s not being contradictory. Rather, He’s making a distinction between a concession and a command. The command was never there for a man to divorce his wife, but if in his hard-heartedness it was going to happen, Moses put limitations on the practice.
God had said to Adam of the forbidden tree, “When you eat of it, you will surely die” (Genesis 2:17). Adam’s sin—and the sin of everyone—deserves death. So any law God gives and any punishment that law prescribes is a concession, an admission of our hard-heartedness. It’s a lesser punishment to teach us His will and to limit the spread of wickedness while withholding ultimate judgment.
To further accommodate our frailty and show God’s love, Jesus bore on the cross the ultimate punishment that was due us. Accordingly, we look to God in grateful service and obedience.
God had said to Adam of the forbidden tree, “When you eat of it, you will surely die” (Genesis 2:17). Adam’s sin—and the sin of everyone—deserves death. So any law God gives and any punishment that law prescribes is a concession, an admission of our hard-heartedness. It’s a lesser punishment to teach us His will and to limit the spread of wickedness while withholding ultimate judgment.
To further accommodate our frailty and show God’s love, Jesus bore on the cross the ultimate punishment that was due us. Accordingly, we look to God in grateful service and obedience.
Scripture Focus
Deuteronomy 24:1-4
Insight
“Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.” (Romans 10:4)
Bible In A Year
- Jeremiah 35-36
- Psalm 119:121-176
- 1 Corinthians 13
