19:8 Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from
the beginning it was not so―(8) He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives:
but from the beginning it was not so.‖
An interesting subject here: if divorce is wrong in YHWH's sight, why did He allow for divorce in the Torah
(which is, of course, His revelation to us)? One could also ask, why did YHWH allow for multiple wives? Or
why did YHWH allow for slavery? Also, why does he give instructions for soldiers when at war?
Although the Torah does not speak in favour of divorce, polygamy, slavery or war, it does set up rules for
how to deal with these things. Why is this?
The answer lies in the principle that the Torah was given because of sin. The Torah is dealing with a sin
situation that has been in effect for quite some time. Recognising that man has an evil inclination (called the
yetzer hara in Hebrew) and is going to sin, the Torah at its most basic level keeps man in check so that he
doesn't go too far from YHWH's ways. This is one reason why Torah is still in effect today: it is for our
protection by El Shaddai because He cares about our welfare and wants us to walk the right path with Him.
The Talmud says of this:
Kiddushin 21b: ―The Torah is only speaking against the yetzer hara.‖
YHWH, who understands our weaknesses, knows that an outright "No" can provoke our desire to sin; hence,
the Torah commands regulating certain issues. However, continued study into the deeper meanings of the
Torah will then teach man that although YHWH allows for these things, they are not reflective of His perfect
character.
One of the things Messiah was/is promised to do, as expressed in Messianic Judaism, is to reveal these
deeper meanings of the Torah so that YHWH's people can better conform themselves to the image of YHWH
and work as His partners toward tikkun. We saw Y‘shua do this in chapters 5 through 7 of this Gospel. Here,
He continues to do the same.
1 9:9-11 Whosoever shall put away his wife
―(9) And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry
another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery. (10) His
disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry. (11) But he said
unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.‖
There were two main schools of thought regarding divorce at this time. The school of Rabbi Hillel (see
Glossary section for more info on him) allowed for multiple reasons that a man could divorce his wife. The
school of Rabbi Shammai rules that divorce was only an option in case of fornication. Here, Y‘shua sides
with Shammai's view. (Both of these rabbis lived a couple generations before Y‘shua began teaching.)
19:12 Which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake
―(12) For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some
eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves
eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.‖
More than likely, the term "eunuch" is an incorrect translation. The word for eunuch in the Aramaic
manuscripts of this passage is M'HAIMNA, which can also mean "believer" or "faithful one". This would make
better sense.
19:13-19 If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments
―(13) Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and
the disciples rebuked them. (14) But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me:
for of such is the kingdom of heaven. (15) And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence. (16) And,
behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
(17) And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou