One of the biggest characteristics of our society today, is the ever increasing number of divorces granded for every cause.

But can you divorce for every cause? The very same question was asked to Jesus.

Let's see what is happening today and also let's see what were some of the causes of divorce in the times of the Bible.

A publication from the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers called "Making Marriage Last" lists the most common reasons why people divorce:

• Poor communication,
  
• Financial problems,
  
• A lack of commitment to the marriage ,
  
• A dramatic change in priorities,
  
• Infidelity,
  
• Failed expectations or unmet needs,
  
• Addictions and substance abuse,
  
• Physical, sexual or emotional abuse,
  
• Lack of conflict resolution skills,
  

Another study by the Creighton University Center for Marriage and Family suggests that time, sex and money are the three biggest reasons for divorce.

In the times of the Bible things were a little different. A wife's disobedience to her husband was considered sufficient grounds for divorce (something which is still true in some countries of the world), as we will see in the example of Ahasuerus, king of Persia.

Esther 1:3 In the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, [being] before him:

Now during that feast the king wanted to show off :) He decided that everybody, the court, the people and the diplomats should see what a beautiful wife he had, so he called for her

Esther 1:11 To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she [was] fair to look on.

She refused!

Esther 1:12 But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by [his] chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.

I know it might sound strange to our ears today, but that was quite an insult back on these days, so the king decided to get some legal advice about the situation.

What the problem was apart from disobedience? The setting of a wrong example for the people.

Esther 1:17 For [this] deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all women, so that they shall despise their husbands in their eyes, when it shall be reported, The king Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she came not.

The legal suggestion was:

Esther 1:19 If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she.

This is divorce! Just the fact that they mention remarriage means that there is dissolution of the first.

There is another example from the Bible, this time it is David, the king of Israel. After fighting for the ark of the Covenant, he manages to bring it back to Jerusalem.

2Samuel 6:14-15 And David danced before the LORD with all [his] might; and David [was] girded with a linen ephod.So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.

There was a big welcome-back party and everybody was happy, having fun and rejoicing. David danced before the Lord while his wife Michal despised him in her heart for doing so.

2Samuel 6:16 And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.

He later returns to his home, after fulfilling his obligations to the Lord and to His people - he was a king, do not forget that - and he has a chat with his wife.

2Samuel 6:18 And as soon as David had made an end of offering burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts.

2Samuel 6:20-23

Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel to day, who uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself!

And David said unto Michal, [It was] before the LORD, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel: therefore will I play before the LORD.

And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honour.

Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death.

What does this mean? they had no more sex and they divorced. Have in mind that it is after this event that David had the Bathsheba afair.

What was the reason for this divorce? She ridiculed him in connection with his outward expression of thanksgiving unto the Lord and the joy he had for the return of the Arc back home.

We can see that there are still some similarities with today. Lack of communication, not knowing each other's heart, lack of respect, false expectations etc.

Where the reasons right or wrong? They were facts recorded in the bible and the Pharisees knew them when they approached Jesus with the big question:

Matthew 19:3 The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?

They did not discuss the question of divorce itself. The issue that was in their hearts and minds was one: Can I divorce for every cause?

This has not changed, especialy in the religiously inclined. People will have their nose in another's business and conduct, they will try to find if it's right or wrong, if it was done in the right grounds, if he was OK, if she was OK.

They didn't seem to care that much about the righness of the putting away for every cause, rather they were concerned as to the legality of it. Many people today have the same attitude. No concern about the problem of divorce, no concern about the real causes of it, no concern about the need of fellowship, no care about the women, no care about the broken hearts. Just being legal...

In the Old Testament days, divorce was really allowed for every cause, unfortunately :( Not because God said so as we will see later on, but because it was convinient for them.

People still search for something in God's law to put a stop to the granding of divorce on inconsequential and trivial grounds. and there is something: the answer of Jesus Christ to the above question!