Have You Not Read?

Matthew 19:4-6

4 And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who made themat the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? 6 So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”

The Pharisees had just tested Jesus by asking Him if it was lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason. Rabbis would debate under what circumstances a man could divorce his wife. They disagreed on the interpretation of Deuteronomy 24:1, which speaks of a man divorcing his wife because he found some uncleanness in her. Rabbi Hillel said uncleanness included ruining dinner, going out with her hair down, speaking to another man in public, or if she was too loud. In short, if she did anything he didn’t like, he could divorce her. Rabbi Akiba said a man could divorce his wife if he found a woman he liked better or who was more beautiful. And Rabbi Shammai said uncleanness referred to sexual immorality. So no matter how Jesus answered, it would bring criticism from opposing opinions. Jesus pointed them to the Scriptures, and His response differed from all of the rabbis’ interpretations. Jesus reminded them of creation saying God made a man and woman, confirming that marriage is between two people, specifically two members of the opposite sex. They are joined together as one flesh, i.e., one body. Jesus concluded by saying, “What God has joined together, let not man separate.” He was saying divorce is never approved by God. Since the two have become one body, to divorce your wife would be equivalent to cutting off your own limbs. This is the picture Jesus wanted them to understand since God esteems marriage so highly.

The conversation about marriage will continue in the following verses, but for now, focus on Jesus’ response. He pointed out where the Pharisees erred. He asked them, “Have you never read…?” When you start following the interpretation of men who try to justify their own selfish, carnal desires, then you will be led astray. The solution to not being led astray is to go back to the Bible and read what it says. God’s word is straightforward. There is no hidden code that has to be unraveled. The Lord wants you to know His heart, and He reveals it in the Bible. His word is written so you would understand what He wants for you. His desire for you is to be holy. If you are in Christ, then you are declared holy. However, there is also a practical holiness that occurs as you become more like Jesus, but you have to do a couple things. First, you have to ask Him to make you holy. Second, you have to be willing to obey what He says. Finally, you have to know what He says. You learn that from reading His word. Don’t err like the Pharisees of Jesus’ time who followed the misguided teachings of men. Read the Bible regularly so the Lord doesn’t have to ask you, “Have you not read?”