LAWS BETWEEN PEOPLE. Deuteronomy 24 It was never God's intention, and it is not now, for married people to divorce. However, people still do. Divorce occurs, and its effects are felt in families, communities, countries, and gatherings. There were those in Israel who divorced their spouses for very minor reasons. That was what the Lord Jesus Christ addressed when the Pharisees asked him to comment on what Moses said here. The Lord clearly explained that, according to scripture, adultery was the only valid reason for divorce. Most people who divorce today are not believers, so the practice of divorcing a spouse on a whim continues. The divorce of a man and woman was meant to be a permanent act, preventing the same people from remarrying.
Moses said they were not able to remarry the same person after having been with someone else. The seed was adulterated and would not be allowed to be mixed. A casual attitude toward marriage is not consistent with the vows that are made. Separation and divorce over trivial matters still did not permit remarrying the same person. That light view of the ordinance of marriage was not right, so divorce was final, permanent, and there was no going back. It is important for every person to approach marriage with the reverence of the Lord seriously. He initiated the institution, and He recognized the end of a marriage. The relationship of Christian marriage is illustrated by Christ's love for the church and His willingness to give His life for His spiritual bride.
Marriage was established by God and was meant to involve one man and one woman for life together. The death of one spouse ends the marriage vows they made. Although God hates divorce, it still occurs. Due to human sinfulness, hearts can grow hard toward each other. When believers in Jesus Christ are born again, the Holy Spirit enters them, and hearts are softened. A new nature enables them to endure life's difficult experiences and find the strength to overcome challenges. Marital happiness was highly valued in Israel, and it should be just as important to us.
When people first get married, it is important to take time and care to build their relationship on strong principles. Newly married couples face distractions and pressures as they learn to adapt to each other’s preferences and habits. Outside influences from two different families also play a role. The model one partner grew up with may be very different from what the other learned from their family. Combining these distinct backgrounds and creating a unique, functional relationship requires time, prayer, understanding, discussion, and compromise. Over time, a new family unit is formed, incorporating elements from both families, but ultimately establishing a new social unit between the two individuals. The next of kin shifts from parents to the spouse.
There are burdens to face in the first year as this blending process occurs, and roles are defined through practice and the give-and-take of the relationship. The strengthening of a new marriage happens when the division of labor becomes clear to each person, and our expectations are adjusted to what is realistic. It’s not only "sweetness and light," but as days and weeks go by, pleasure and expectations are built within a framework of what is real and workable for two people. The idealized dreams of childhood fade, replaced by real life with unexpected joys and pleasures that take the place of those dreams. For these reasons, a man needs to be with his wife and be free to bring her the happiness and security she deserves.
Sometimes, we need to borrow a specific item or some money from a friend or neighbor for a certain task or need. An object of equal or greater value is given as a pledge to ensure the return of what was borrowed. The security item should be returned when the borrower returns the borrowed item in good condition. However, the borrower could not demand the pledge of security by going and taking it directly. The lender must be satisfied that the item loaned was returned in good condition before returning the pledge. The lender also has the right to inspect the returned item without the borrower watching. Once the lender is satisfied, he will voluntarily return the security item to the borrower. The core principle remains: the borrower is like a servant to the lender and is subject to the lender's decision. God knows the reasons for everything we do, and He is wise and does not hide any part of the dealings between Himself and others.
Crimes in almost every society that are considered extreme are known as "capital crimes." Kidnapping is one of the most heinous among them, especially when a child is involved. When one person holds another against their will for ransom, security, or any other reason, the full extent of the law will be used against that kidnapper. Age does not affect the penalties imposed on the offender. A child is as important as a well-to-do man.
In Israel, the death sentence was imposed on the kidnapper. In many parts of the world today, that punishment still exists. Every person holds equal value in God's eyes. He cares just as much for a child just beginning life as He does for those nearing the end. We must see each person as God sees them. This perspective will motivate us to help meet their needs and protect both their physical and spiritual lives.
Jeopardizing people's lives by spreading deadly diseases without regard for their well-being is wrong. The spread of disease has become a global issue due to the ease of travel worldwide. Someone in Africa infected with the Ebola virus can be anywhere in the world within a day. The bird flu in China can spread to North America in a day; within a week, thousands could be stricken with it. AIDS was a serious epidemic that killed thousands and still affects many after thirty years. It was God's way of handling infectious diseases to isolate the infected until they recover. It is selfish and wrong for someone to continue their activities for business or pleasure while exposing others to the risk of catching their disease.
Another aspect of interpersonal relationships that can cause serious issues is the employer-employee relationship. Regardless of who they are, workers should be paid a fair wage and be able to rely on receiving it on time. Day laborers should be paid at the end of their workday. Anyone who contracts to work for another should give a good day's work for a day's pay. This practice should be consistent among all Christians. An employer shouldn't expect more from an employee because they are a brother in Christ. Similarly, an employee shouldn't expect higher pay or favors than anyone else doing the same work. A guiding principle for our labor is, "Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do it heartily as unto the Lord, knowing that from the Lord ye shall receive the reward."
Children raised in our home should have been taught to do what is right, but they don't always follow that. When a son or daughter encounters problems of their own making and faces harsh consequences because of them, we must let them bear those consequences. Spoiled children often never learn that every action—good or bad—has consequences. We do our children a disservice if we allow them to continue in sin and get away with it. The laws of the country will not overlook what indulgent parents often overlook.
The same applies if a parent has a lifestyle, such as an addiction, that results in serious consequences. The son or daughter may be able to use their influence to help free the parent because of a duty they feel toward the adult child. However, it is not appropriate for us to attempt to influence legal decisions that should be resolved legally. The law should be allowed to run its course to uphold societal standards, and a person's reputation and integrity should not be sacrificed due to wrongful actions by a parent or child.
The welfare of strangers who come among us must not be ignored by the citizens of a community. To demand some form of compensation from the homeless or foreigners before offering assistance to meet their needs is to forget that all we have and are is a gift from the Lord. "What dost thou have that thou didst not receive?" We owe our life, our breath, and everything to the Lord, who has provided for us. We should be willing to provide for others.
An effective way to provide for the poor in Bible times was to glean in a field or orchard after the harvest. Owners were to leave behind forgotten sheaves of grain and fruit that remained on the trees after harvesting, so that those in need could collect them for their own use. The poor were free to enter a person's field and gather the leftover grain or, in the orchards, the olives, figs, or nuts that were still there. It was similar to a “make work” project where strangers, widows, orphans, and foreigners had the chance to work honestly for their own food even if they did not own land.
This initiative encourages those in need to take responsibility for meeting their own needs. It is better to give a person the opportunity to work rather than a handout that may only partially satisfy a true need and simply momentarily soothe our conscience. By providing a job opportunity, we meet a need, restore a person's self-respect, and achieve a meaningful goal. The poor will always be among us, and we will always have a duty to help those less fortunate than ourselves.
The relationship between individuals must be nurtured and approached with respect for everyone involved. In situations that require action, we need God-given wisdom and human common sense. There are ways to prevent problems in marriages, neighborhoods, workplaces, and among those who are struggling. The Lord knew what challenges we would face and provided us with instructions beforehand on how to handle them in the best possible ways. He grants us grace when needed, strength when needed, and faith when needed. All these are essential when we interact face-to-face with others.
We are not alone in this world. We all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory. Some fellow humans will need our help, and when that time comes, remember that circumstances can change quickly, and we may need assistance ourselves. When you help another, don’t make unreasonable demands or set impossible deadlines for repayment. Understand that a person’s personal and physical limitations will guide what to expect. Don’t make his debt feel like a chain around his neck or use it as leverage against him. Never avoid a matter for which you are responsible. Difficulties must be faced before the issue is resolved. Promises and payments are obligations we must fulfill. When we stay current with them, a clear conscience allows us to rest peacefully.
We can’t ignore the fact that there will always be poor people. When we are aware of their conditions and possibly the reasons for their hard times, there will likely be some things we can’t overlook. We don’t have the ability to meet every need of every person, but there are always ways to help when we can offer meaningful assistance in the moment. Leave the corners of a field or a sheaf we have forgotten. Don’t take every fruit or vegetable from your garden or orchard. In other words, take steps to ensure the poor survive by doing what you can to help them use what you have to give them. Make available to them that which they can obtain for themselves.
Throughout our lives, we will need to consider other people’s problems. This happens in every generation and affects people of all ages. At some point, everyone will need help of one kind or another. We may not be able to meet every need or change the course of events for others, but in Christ’s name, we will offer help and say, “In Jesus’ name.”