Did God divorce Israel?

Istherenotacause · May 24, 2003

Much has been interjected in a thread on "divorce and pastorship" in the general discussions section. Dr. Bob informed that the thread hadn't caused much to be learned by that thread, so he was going to close it. I feel like this topic needs much discussion to represent the truth according to the scriptures concerning divorce due to the high divorce rate and how too many resort to divorce as the only way out, instead of forgiveness and repetenence.

If God actually did divorce Israel for her adulterous affairs according to Jeremiah 3 then what about the law concerning re-marrying her that is put away?

I suggest that he only forwarned Israel by introducing the bill of divorcement, a bill not yet becoming a law, allowing her to see for herself the devastating effects her disregard of the LORD's mercy towards her and His longsuffering.

Hasn't the LORD given us His example concerning restoration to whom has transgressed the Law?

Please, all replies are appreciated, but leave out any name calling, like, "judgemental" for instance.

In His Holy Service,

Brother Ricky

Gavin · May 24, 2003

Dear Ricky,

The divorce of Israel story leads on to a wonderful story of restoration ending in the divine romance. It is told in the story of Gomer. She finds her beloved, her "Ishi" at the end. She finds Him in the valley of Achor/tribulation. -Hos.2:14-16 http://endtimepilgrim.org/gomer.htm

Similarly the 7 feasts of Israel are waypoints on the journey home for the scattered people of God. This epic journey too is a love story. http://endtimepilgrim.org/7feasts.htm

Blessings,

Gavin

LadyEagle · May 24, 2003

Yes, Ricky, God did divorce Israel for her adultery. But God did not divorce Judah.

Remember, there were two kingdoms, the Northern Kingdom and the Southern Kingdom.

That also does not mean God will not seek Israel back to Himself - as in the book of Hosea.

KenH · May 24, 2003

Originally posted by SheEagle9/11:
That also does not mean God will not seek Israel back to Himself - as in the book of Hosea.
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As He seeks all of His creatures back to Himself - Gentiles and Jews - as in the Bible.

Istherenotacause · May 24, 2003

Here is where I find the account of God supposedly divorcing Israel, I never find in this portion of scripture God marrying Judah:

Jeremiah 3:1 They say, If a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and
become another man’s, shall he return unto her again? shall not
that land be greatly polluted? but thou hast played the harlot with
many lovers; yet return again to me, saith the LORD.

3:2 Lift up thine eyes unto the high places, and see where thou hast not
been lien with. In the ways hast thou sat for them, as the Arabian in
the wilderness; and thou hast polluted the land with thy
whoredoms and with thy wickedness.
3:3 Therefore the showers have been withholden, and there hath been
no latter rain; and thou hadst a whore’s forehead, thou refusedst to
be ashamed.
3:4 Wilt thou not from this time cry unto me, My father, thou art the
guide of my youth?
3:5 Will he reserve his anger for ever? will he keep it to the end?
Behold, thou hast spoken and done evil things as thou couldest.
3:6 The LORD said also unto me in the days of Josiah the king, Hast
thou seen that which backsliding Israel hath done? she is gone up
upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there
hath played the harlot.
3:7 And I said after she had done all these things, Turn thou unto me.
But she returned not. And her treacherous sister Judah saw it.
3:8 And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel
committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of
divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and
played the harlot also.
3:9 And it came to pass through the lightness of her whoredom, that
she defiled the land, and committed adultery with stones and with
stocks.
3:10 And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah hath not turned
unto me with her whole heart, but feignedly, saith the LORD.
3:11 And the LORD said unto me, The backsliding Israel hath justified
herself more than treacherous Judah.
3:12 Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return,
thou backsliding Israel, saith the LORD; and I will not cause mine
anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the LORD, and I
will not keep anger for ever.

BUT!

3:13 Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed
against the LORD thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the
strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice,
saith the LORD.
3:14 Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD;

**for I am married unto you**

and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and
I will bring you to Zion:
3:15 And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall
feed you with knowledge and understanding.

Please some one explain how it is that the LORD has divorced Israel yet here He says he is married to her?

Would this be the very scripture that defines marriage and re-marriage concerning divorce? Or is it that the LORD never divorced Israel, but only introduced the "bill" of divorcement, the same as we do in our judicial system of passing laws by the introduction of bills?

Please, all replies are appreciated,

Brother Ricky

Gavin · May 25, 2003

Dear Ricky,

The OT is full of prophecy about the full restoration of BOTH houses of Israel including the royal house of Judah and the house of David within who will enrich us all so greatly when they return at the end of this present age. -Zech 12:7-13:1 and Joel 2:28-32

Blessings
Gavin

Isaiah 54: 1 - 17

1 "Sing, O barren, You who have not borne! Break forth into singing, and cry aloud, You who have not labored with child! For more are the children of the desolate Than the children of the married woman," says the Lord. 2 "Enlarge the place of your tent, And let them stretch out the curtains of your dwellings; Do not spare; Lengthen your cords, And strengthen your stakes. 3 For you shall expand to the right and to the left, And your descendants will inherit the nations, And make the desolate cities inhabited. 4 "Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed; Neither be disgraced, for you will not be put to shame; For you will forget the shame of your youth, And will not remember the reproach of your widowhood anymore. 5 For YOUR MAKER IS YOUR HUSBAND, The Lord of hosts is His name; And your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel; He is called the God of the whole earth.

6 For the Lord has called you Like a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, Like a youthful wife when you were refused," Says your God. 7 "For a mere moment I have forsaken you, But with great mercies I will gather you. 8 With a little wrath I hid My face from you for a moment; But with everlasting kindness I will have mercy on you," Says the Lord, your Redeemer. 9 "For this is like the waters of Noah to Me; For as I have sworn That the waters of Noah would no longer cover the earth, So have I sworn That I would not be angry with you, nor rebuke you. 10 For the mountains shall depart And the hills be removed, But My kindness shall not depart from you, Nor shall My covenant of peace be removed," Says the Lord, who has mercy on you.

11 "O you afflicted one, Tossed with tempest, and not comforted, Behold, I will lay your stones with colorful gems, And lay your foundations with sapphires. 12 I will make your pinnacles of rubies, Your gates of crystal, And all your walls of precious stones. 13 All your children shall be taught by the Lord, And great shall be the peace of your children. 14 In righteousness you shall be established; You shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; And from terror, for it shall not come near you. 15 Indeed they shall surely assemble, but not because of Me. Whoever assembles against you shall fall for your sake. 16 "Behold, I have created the blacksmith Who blows the coals in the fire, Who brings forth an instrument for his work; And I have created the spoiler to destroy. 17 No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their righteousness is from Me," Says the Lord.

Frogman · May 25, 2003

Isaiah 50:1 ¶Thus saith the LORD, Where is the bill of your mother's divorcement, whom I have put away? or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your mother put away.
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I agree with you bro. Ricky that God has not put Israel away, but that He is teaching to them mercy, repentance and forgiveness.

look at the last phrase here; it seems to me God is speaking to individuals here, though care must be taken, if one accepts that God has 'put away' Israel, which by the way requires no 'bill of divorce'

H7971
שׁלח
shâlach
shaw-lakh'
A primitive root; to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications): - X any wise, appoint, bring (on the way), cast (away, out), conduct, X earnestly, forsake, give (up), grow long, lay, leave, let depart (down, go, loose), push away, put (away, forth, in, out), reach forth, send (away, forth, out), set, shoot (forth, out), sow, spread, stretch forth (out).

This is speaking nationally of Israel, but it is said for the 'your iniquities' your mother has been put away, What is being said is that Israel is dispersed, she is sent forth, but not 'put away' in the sense of divorce as we know it, or else some would attempt to justify divorce (putting away) the mother and wife because of the sins of the children, O the depth of the depravity of man's heart.

Just some of my thoughts. I believe what Christ has said, that from the beginning it was not so.

God Bless.
Bro. Dallas Eaton

Headcoveredlady · May 25, 2003

A bit off topic, Dr. Gavin, I am enjoying your website. I saved it to favorites and am digesting is slowly. Thanks for putting that information out. I am a pre-trib/dispensationalist myself, but your website is very thought provoking.

Gavin · May 25, 2003

Thank you for the words of encouragement. If we delve into the scriptures with an open heart and mind it actually can get quite exciting. Hollywood is boring by comparison. Their romance and adventure is 3rd rate. Ours is beyond comprehension. That was the serendipity I discovered.

Blessings,
Gavin

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