Why does God say He hates divorce?

In Malachi 2:10-16, God confronts His people for breaking faith in their marriages. Dr. Toby Holt explains why marriage matters so deeply to God — and what He means when He says He hates divorce. God charges His people with "treachery" — unfaithful both in marrying those who worshiped false gods and in betraying "the wife of your youth." Marriage is a covenant God designed, picturing Christ's faithful love for His church. That is why breaking it grieves God so deeply. Yet the chapter ends in hope: Christ loves His people with a faithfulness that never fails.

Questions this study answers:

1. Why does God take marriage so seriously? Because marriage is a covenant He designed, and it pictures Christ's faithful love for His church. Breaking it is no small thing to God.

2. What does it mean that God "hates divorce"? He hates the betrayal and broken faith that tear apart what He joined together. He grieves the harm done to families.

3. Is there hope for those affected by broken marriages? Yes. The chapter points to Christ, whose faithful love never fails, and who offers forgiveness and healing to all who turn to Him. "'For the LORD God of Israel says that He hates divorce…' Therefore take heed to your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously." — Malachi 2:16 (NKJV)

Dr. Toby Holt is President of New Geneva Theological Seminary, and his sermons have been downloaded more than 1.9 million times on SermonAudio. Find more verse-by-verse Bible teaching at newgeneva.org; support this ministry at newgeneva.org/give.