“And this have ye done again, covering the altar of the Lord with tears, with weeping, and with crying out, insomuch that he regardeth not the offering any more, or receiveth it with good will at your hand. Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the Lord hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant. And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth. For the Lord, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the Lord of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously. Mal 2:13-16)”
“Has not the LORD made them one? In flesh and spirit they are his.” The term “one” (ʾeḥāḏ) is the same word used in Genesis 2:24 to refer to the man and woman becoming “one flesh.” In other words, divorce rips apart what God has created (cf. Mt. 19:6). This could be why Malachi compares divorce to covering oneself with violence.[1]
“The wife of your youth…” This suggests that “the men were divorcing their aging wives in favor of younger women.”[2]
“I hate divorce…” The Hebrew literally states, “He hates divorce.”[3] Regardless of how we translate this verse, it is clear that “God is against the person who breaks one’s marriage vows.”[4]
“Guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith.” Divorce harms the person who is divorcing their spouse.[5]
[1] Baldwin, J. G. (1972). Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 28, p. 262). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
