I haven't finished the thread yet but it seems your main point revolves around the misinterpretation of the Hebrew word shalach in the OT and its Greek equivalent apoulo in the NT which were loosely translated as divorce...they are not referring to a divorce as we know it, but rather to a husband 'separating' from his wife without an actual writ of divorcement being written.
I know you don't agree with that interpretation Quest but if you do a thorough study on all the times those words are used you will see the correct contexts. This is an excellent site that goes into detail on the Matthew 19 passage as well as others that refer to 'divorce':
Book of Matthew 19, ( Matt 19 ) Bible Study on Divorce (Putting Away) and Remarriage.
[FONT=Arial][SIZE=2]As we study the Greek and Hebrew words in Matt 19 and Malachi 2 we will learn that "divorce" was NOT what Jesus was teaching about, but rather, "putting away" which is far different than divorce...
Understanding what happened in Malachi 2:10-16 is KEY to understanding Matthew 19:3-12 ( Matt 19 ).
Malachi 2:16a reads, "For the Lord God of Israel says that HE HATES DIVORCE (putting away)." Why did God hate "putting away?" Why was His heart so stirred to anger over the "putting away" incidents?
The Hebrew word shalach translated "putting away" (and sometimes "divorce") means: a separation or to separate; it does NOT mean divorce nor has it ever meant divorce — EVER!
"Putting Away" (from shalach and apoluo) NEVER Meant Divorce!
For example, shalach is used 878 times in the Old Testament and only 13 times related to a marriage or intimate relationship, which means; 865 times it is used in other situations. To show you that shalach never meant divorce nor does it in any way, here are five random examples from the Old Testament. Shalach word in bold:
- Genesis 8:7: (Noah on the Ark) ...of the ark which he had made. And he sent forth a raven, which went forth to...
- Genesis 24:7: (God giving Abraham the Promised Land) ...Unto thy seed will I give this land; he shall send his angel before thee...
- Exodus 5:1: (Moses delivering Israel from Egypt) ...the LORD God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto...
- Joshua 6:25: (Rahab hid the Spies) ...day; because she hid the messengers, which Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.
- 2 Kings 5:10: (Naaman healed) ...of the house of Elisha. And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and ...
Shalach's New Testament equivalent: apoluo, though at times is translated divorce never meant divorce nor does it mean divorce but rather, a separation.
For example, apoluo is used 94 times in the New Testament and only 18 times related to marriage or intimate relationships. Which means it is used 76 times in other situations. To show you that apoluo never meant divorce, here are five random examples form the New Testament. Apoluo word in bold:
- Matthew 14:15: (Jesus feeds the Five Thousand) ...desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go ...
- Luke 8:38: (Man with/ 2000 plus Demons) ...that he might be with him: but Jesus sent him away, saying, Return to thine
- Luke 13:12: (Woman with the Issue of Blood) ...her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. And he laid ...
- Acts 4:23: (Lame man healed at the Gate Called Beautiful) ...this miracle of healing was shewed. And being let go, they went to their own company, and...
- Acts 15:33: (Judas & Silas Leaving Antioch) ...And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the...