Understanding Divorce

Marriage in Alahayim's Sight

To understand divorce, let’s first understand what marriage is in the sight of Alahayim:

Mark 10:6-9

But from the beginning of the creation Alahayim made them male and female. 7 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; 8 And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. 9 What therefore Alahayim hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

Alahayim is a spirit, {Jhn 4:24} and joins man and his wife together spiritually unto Him, their Alahayim.

John 4:24

Alahayim is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Alahayim joined man and his wife to make them one spirit and flesh with the intent that a holy seed of believing children would come from them:

Malachi 2:15

And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a holy seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.

Since they are spiritually joined, it must be a spiritual reason for them to be divided and those spiritual reasons can only be identified in the law as it is spiritual {Rom 7:14} and the word of Alahayim is able to cause spiritual division. {Heb 4:12}

Romans 7:14

For we know that the law is spiritual...

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of Alahayim is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Seeing as though Alahayim, in love, joined man and his wife together spiritually with the intent of holy children (seed) coming from them, the only grounds for division of what Alahayim (who is spiritual Himself) joined together is "dealing treacherously" in unrepentant spiritual fornication (uncleanness) by evidence of unwillingness to do the work to change and obey Alahayim's law which would keep the marriage together by working with the spirits of love and long-suffering for the salvation of the family:

Testament of Gad 4:6

... the spirit of love worketh together with the law of Alahayim in long-suffering unto the salvation of men.

For these reasons, when operating in the spirit of Fornication unrepentantly transgressing the spiritual law, it is grounds for divorce between a man and his wife as the spirit of Fornication withdraws a soul from the law (that was meant to keep spouses joined together unto Alahayim) separating it from Alahayim (and one's spouse) unto idols.

Testament of Reuben 4:6

For a pit unto the soul is the sin of fornication, separating it from Alahayim, and bringing it near to idols, because it deceiveth the mind and understanding, and leadeth young men into Hades before their time.

Testament of Judah 18:1

My children, the love of money leadeth to idolatry; because, when led astray through money, men name as alahayims those who are not alahayims, and it causeth him who hath it to fall into madness.

Testament of Judah 17:2-3

Beware, therefore, my children, of fornication, and the love of money, and hearken to Judah your father. 3 For these things withdraw you from the law of Alahayim, and blind the inclination of the soul, and teach arrogance, and suffer not a man to have compassion upon his neighbour.

Testament of Solomon Chapter 34, 38

...The fourth: "I am Jealousy... 38. Likewise, also the fourth said: "I cause men to forget their sobriety and moderation. I part them and split them into parties; for Strife follows me hand in hand. I rend the husband from the sharer of his bed, and children from parents, and brothers from sisters. But why tell so much to my despite? I have an angel that frustrates me, the great Balthial."

1 Clem. 6:3

Jealousy hath estranged wives from their husbands and changed the saying of our father Adam, This now is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh.

Testament of Reuben 7:4

4 For in fornication there is neither understanding nor holiness, and all jealousy dwelleth in the lust thereof.

Between the spirits of fornication and jealousy spouses are separated from coming together in love.

The Pollution of Marriage

Alahayim put men and women together in marriage to make them one spirit as well as bone and flesh. Seeing as though Alahayim joined them together spiritually, they can only be divided (separated or divorced) spiritually by operating in the spirit of Fornication {uncleanness} against Alahayim {Wis 14:12, 27} and one another: {1Co 6:18}

1Co 6:18

Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.

Just confirming when a man commits fornication, he is also sinning against his own body, which is also his wife who is his bone and flesh. Likewise, a woman in fornication is disobeying the Most High and trespassing against her husband:

Ecclesiasticus 23:23

For first, she hath disobeyed the law of the most High; and secondly, she hath trespassed against her own husband; and thirdly, she hath played the whore in adultery

These precepts help show fornication is disobedience to the law of Alahayim and also a sin/trespass against one's spouse in adultery. Let's understand what "committing adultery" is:

Understanding "Uncleanness"

(Committing Adultery)

The Acts of Thomas 83

Abstain: First of all adultery, for this is the beginning of all evils,

The reason adultery is the beginning of all evils is that one is operating in spiritual fornication hearkening to idols which is adultery against Alahayim and the cause of all evil. This is because sins come about by being enticed by one's lust after a provision (thought from an idol) for the flesh draws the soul away from Alahayim (pride) and His law (fornication) unto the law of the Devil (lusts of the flesh), and when the lust has conceived in one's heart, it brings forth sin. [Ja 1:14-15] This in short helps understand how adultery is the beginning of all evils because of the spiritual fornication one commits by hearkening to idols to perform some evil work.

Wisdom of Solomon 14:12, 27

For the devising of idols was the beginning of spiritual fornication, and the invention of them the corruption of life. 27 For the worshipping of idols not to be named is the beginning, the cause, and the end, of all evil.

Exo 20:14

Thou shalt not commit adultery.

Definition:

H5003

נאף

Strong's: A primitive root; to commit adultery; figuratively to apostatize:

BDB: 1a2) idolatrous worship (figuratively)

Apostatize: renounce a religious or political belief or principle.

Through precepts and understanding the Hebrew words, "adultery" is not only a physical act but a spiritual work that is manifested in idolatrous worship renouncing the religion and principles of Alahayim to serve idols in spiritual fornication. Precepts confirm idolatry is a work in the spirit of adultery against Alahayim:

Eze 23:37

That they have committed adultery, and blood is in their hands, and with their idols have they committed adultery...

Jeremiah 3:9

And it came to pass through the lightness of her whoredom, that she defiled the land, and committed adultery with stones and with stocks.

This shows adultery in spirit is falling into idolatry. Committing adultery in idolatry consists of: (1) polluting one's flesh in unlawful intercourse, (2) polluting the mind and defiling one's heart in idolatry by lusting after someone who isn't your spouse, as well as (3) operating in spiritual fornication by sinning in general doing things like unto the heathen (unbelievers) against the commands of Alahayim (as idolatry is the cause of all evil):

Matthew 5:27-28

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Hermas Mandate 4

1[29]:9 Not only," saith he, "is it adultery, if a man pollute his flesh, but whosoever doeth things like unto the heathen committeth adultery.

Adultery is a product of the spirit of Fornication as one has to be operating in the spirit of Fornication to "commit adultery."

Hermas Mandate 4

1[29]:4 I say to him, "Sir, permit me to ask thee a few more questions" "Say on," saith he. "Sir," say I, "if a man who has a wife that is faithful in the Lord detect her in adultery, doth the husband sin in living with her?"

1[29]:5 "So long as he is ignorant," saith he, "he sinneth not; but if the husband know of her sin, and the wife repent not, but continue in her fornication, and her husband live with her, he makes himself responsible for her sin and an accomplice in her adultery."

1[29]:9 Not only," saith he, "is it adultery, if a man pollute his flesh, but whosoever doeth things like unto the heathen committeth adultery.

The precepts confirmed "polluting the flesh" in the spirit of Fornication through unlawful intercourse is adultery as well as doing things that are contrary to the ways of Alahayim following after the vain customs of the heathen are committing adultery in the sight of Alahayim. The angel speaking with Hermas said "doing things like unto the heathen" is committing adultery because they worship and serve idols which is spiritual fornication causing them do all evil against the Law of Alahayim. This helps us understand spiritual adultery is sinning or doing evil in general. The scriptures confirm idolatry is also a pollution of ourselves as well because of the transgressions they lead us to commit to help understand adultery in spirit is sinning against the law in general:

Ezk 37:23

Neither shall they defile themselves any more with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions

Ezk 14:11

That the house of Israel may go no more astray from me, neither be polluted any more with all their transgressions;

This helps see, idolatry, unclean meats, and transgressing in general defiles us as that’s how we get polluted and it’s reckoned as "adultery" with Alahayim. Yache was teaching us about coming out of the spirit of adultery as well, not just the act of unlawful intercourse by example of showing it's not just adultery in unlawful intercourse, but also our heart's intent toward a woman can get us into adultery for example:

Matthew 5:27

Yache gave us understanding of the spirit of the law to keep us from the spirits that causes adultery all together by understanding that adultery starts within our minds and hearts with any idolatrous thought, inclination or desire that draws us away from the commandments of Alahayim in hatred.

Mat 15:18-19

But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

Testament of Judah 17:2-3, 5-6

2 Beware, therefore, my children, of fornication, and the love of money, and hearken to Judah your father. 3 For these things withdraw you from the law of Alahayim, and blind the inclination of the soul, and teach arrogance, and suffer not a man to have compassion upon his neighbour. 5 And he hindereth the sacrifices of Alahayim; And he remembereth not the blessing of Alahayim, he hearkeneth not to a prophet when he speaketh, and resenteth the words of holiness. 6 For he is a slave to two contrary passions, and cannot obey Alahayim, because they have blinded his soul, And he walketh in the day as in the night

Testament of Gad 5:1

Hatred, therefore, is evil, for it constantly mateth with lying, speaking against the truth; and it maketh small things to be great, and causeth the light to be darkness, and calleth the sweet bitter, and teacheth slander, and kindleth wrath, and stirreth up war, and violence and all covetousness; it filleth the heart with evils and devilish poison

Testament of Gad 4:1

1 Beware, therefore, my children of hatred; for it worketh lawlessness even against the Lord Himself. 2 For it will not hear the words of His commandments concerning the loving of one’s neighbour, and it sinneth against Alahayim.

Understanding Adultery

Pro 6:32-33

But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul. 33 A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.

The spirit of Fornication leads a man in this lack of understanding to get a reproach unto himself:

Testament of Reuben 7:4

4 For in fornication there is neither understanding nor holiness, and all jealousy dwelleth in the lust thereof.

Testament of Rueben 4:6-7

6 For a pit unto the soul is the sin of fornication, separating it from Alahayim, and bringing it near to idols, because it deceiveth the mind and understanding, and leadeth young men into Hades before their time. 7 For many hath fornication destroyed; because, though a man be old or noble, or rich or poor, he bringeth reproach upon himself with the sons of men and derision with Beliar.

The ways a man who lacks understanding can commit adultery are as follows:

Mat 5:27-28

Mat 19:9

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.

Lev 20:10

And the man that committeth adultery with another man's wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.

Hermas Mandate 4

1[29]:9 Not only," saith he, "is it adultery, if a man pollute his flesh, but whosoever doeth things like unto the heathen committeth adultery.

A Man can "Commit Adultery" by:

Transgressing the commandments to do things like unto the Heathen in idolatry.{Hermas Mandate 4}
looking at a woman who is not his wife to lust after her {Matt 5:27-28}
Marrying another woman after divorcing his initial wife (who was not detected in fornication). {Matt 19:9}
After putting away his believing wife because she wouldn't repent of her fornication, he doesn't abide alone for her one opportunity to repent and be reconciled to him, but instead, he marries another woman during that time of his initial wife's one opportunity for reconciliation. {Hermas Mandate 4}
Departing from an unbelieving wife who was pleased to dwell with him and didn't commit fornication, yet he marries another woman after departing. {I Co 7:10-16; Matt 19:9}
Intimate relations with anyone that is not your own wife is fornication. {I Co 7:2; 6:16-18}
Intimate relations with another man's wife is adultery. {Lev 18:19; 20:10; sir 9:9}

A Woman can "Commit Adultery" by:

Sinning against the law like unto the Heathen in idolatry:

Ezekiel 23:36-37

Ahayah said moreover unto me; Son of man, wilt thou judge Aholah and Aholibah? yea, declare unto them their abominations; 37 That they have committed adultery, and blood is in their hands, and with their idols have they committed adultery...

Jeremiah 3:9

And it came to pass through the lightness of her whoredom, that she defiled the land, and committed adultery with stones and with stocks.

A woman can commit adultery by intimate relations with a stranger that is not her lawful husband.

Eze 16:32

But as a wife that committeth adultery, which taketh strangers instead of her husband!

Sirach 23:22-23

Thus shall it go also with the wife that leaveth her husband, and bringeth in an heir by another. [23] For first, she hath disobeyed the law of the most High; and secondly, she hath trespassed against her own husband; and thirdly, she hath played the whore in adultery, and brought children by another man.

She can also commit adultery in her heart by looking at another who isn't her husband to lust after them (or with the intent of getting the stranger to lust after her):

Ecclesiasticus 26:9

The whoredom of a woman may be known in her haughty looks and eyelids.

Proverbs 6:25-26

Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids. 26 For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life.

Testament of Reuben 5:3-4, 1-2

3 For moreover, concerning them, the angel of the Lord told me, and taught me, that women are overcome by the spirit of fornication more than men, and in their heart they plot against men... 4 For a woman cannot force a man openly, but by a harlot’s bearing she beguiles him. 1 For evil are women, my children; and since they have no power or strength over man, they use wiles by outward attractions, that they may draw him to themselves. 2 And whom they cannot bewitch by outward attractions, him they overcome by craft.

A Person can commit an Abomination by:

(The spirit of Fornication leading them, a person can commit an abomination by the following:

(for men and women) Having same kind relations.{Lev 18:22; 20:13, Rom 1:26-27}
Sleeping with a wife or any woman (or uncovering their nakedness) during her issue of blood (menstrual). {Lev 18:18; 20;18}
Uncovering the nakedness of his near kin according to the law. {Lev 18:1}
A man remarrying his ex wife who he put away for uncleanness (fornication) after she has married another man and then returned back unto him.{Duet 24:1-4}

Understanding Fornication

The Spirit of Fornication is seated in the nature and senses from youth if one is drawn by the love of pleasure in evil to let her overcome one's mind:

Testament of Rueben 3:3; 2:9

First, the spirit of fornication is seated in the nature and in the senses; 2:9..with which through love of pleasure sins enter in. Wherefore it is..the first in that of youth, because it is filled with ignorance, and leadeth the youth as a blind man to a pit, and as a beast to a precipice.

Testament of Reuben 7:4, 1-3

4 For in fornication there is neither understanding nor holiness, and all jealousy dwelleth in the lust thereof. 1 Beware, therefore, of fornication; and if you wish to be pure in mind, guard your senses from every woman. 2 And command the women likewise not to associate with men, that they also may be pure in mind. 3 For constant meetings, even though the unholy deed be not wrought, are to them an irremediable disease, and to us a destruction of Beliar and an eternal reproach.

Testament of Judah 16:1

And now, I command you, my children, not to love money, nor to gaze upon the beauty of women; because for the sake of money and beauty I was led astray to Bathshua the Canaanite.

Testament of Rueben 4:1

1 Pay no heed, therefore, my children, to the beauty of women, nor set your mind on their affairs; but walk in singleness of heart in the fear of the Lord, and expend labour on good works, and on study and on your flocks, until the Lord give you a wife, whom He will, that ye suffer not as I did.

If one has pleasure in the works of the spirit of Fornication to be given to the love of pleasure, being enamored with the beauty of others will be a struggle and would lead to being "love sick" with desire in insatiability for someone who isn't your spouse:

Ecclesiasticus 9:8

Turn away thine eye from a beautiful woman, and look not upon another's beauty; for many have been deceived by the beauty of a woman; for herewith love is kindled as a fire.

This can be in thoughts, cares, and vexations for someone who isn't your spouse as Fornication is trying to overwhelm the mind with Insatiability to fulfill the desire in Covetousness:

The Acts of Thomas 27
the service of the belly casts the soul into thoughts, cares and vexations, taking thought lest it come to be in want, and have need of those things that are far from it.

And if overtaken with pleasure, Fornication will continue working in the person until inflamed with their evil desires being enamored with another's beauty unable to resist committing the act of polluting their flesh by sleeping with someone who isn't their lawful spouse, feeling like they won't be judged for it as they're blinded by the passions of Fornication and Lust blinding their inclination (with Hatred blinding the soul) from seeing things in truth. This can happen to a man or woman:

Ecclesiasticus 23:16-27
Two sorts of men multiply sin, and the third will bring wrath: a hot mind is as a burning fire, it will never
be quenched till it be consumed: a fornicator in the body of his flesh will never cease till he hath kindled a
fire. 17 All bread is sweet to a whoremonger, he will not leave off till he die. 18 A man that breaketh wedlock, saying thus in his heart, Who seeth me? I am compassed about with darkness, the walls cover me, and no body seeth me; what need I to fear? the most High will not remember my sins: 19 Such a man only feareth the eyes of men, and knoweth not that the eyes of the Lord are ten thousand times brighter than the sun, beholding all the ways of men, and considering the most secret parts. 20 He knew all things ere ever they were created; so also after they were perfected he looked upon them all. 21 This man shall be punished in the streets of the city, and where he suspecteth not he shall be taken. 22 Thus shall it go also with the wife that leaveth her husband, and bringeth in an heir by another. 23 For first, she hath disobeyed the law of the most High; and secondly, she hath trespassed against her own husband; and thirdly, she hath played the whore in adultery, and brought children by another man. 24 She shall be brought out into the congregation, and inquisition shall be made of her children. 25 Her children shall not take root, and her branches shall bring forth no fruit. 26 She shall leave her memory to be cursed, and her reproach shall not be blotted out. 27 And they that remain shall know that there is nothing better than the fear of the Lord, and that there is nothing sweeter than to take heed unto the commandments of the Lord.

Being overcome with Fornication (idolatry) and Lust leads to sinning in general and can lead to same kind relations for men and women:

Romans 1:21-23

Because that, when they knew Alahyim, they glorified him not as Alahayim, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible Alahayim into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

Wisdom of Solomon 14:27

For the worshipping of idols not to be named is the beginning, the cause, and the end, of all evil.
Romans 1:24, 26-31

Wherefore Alahayim also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 26 For this cause Alahayim gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of Alahayim, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

Fornication causes whomever is under Her dominion, not only to sin in general, but also to sin against their own body by the act of fornication (relations with someone who isn't your lawful spouse) to pollute their flesh:

1 Corinthians 6:18
[18]Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication
sinneth against his own body.

(As we know, a wife is the body of the man, so if a man commits fornication, he also sins against his wife because she is his bone and flesh. On the other hand (so long as they aren't partaking in unlawful intercourse), a man cannot commit fornication by laying with his own wife, which is his flesh, nor can a woman commit fornication by laying with her own husband, even in a multi-wife household as Leah and Rachel were not fornicators when they slept with their own husband, Jacob, at their respective times.

1Co 7:2

Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.

The spirit of Fornication also leads a woman to plot against a man to deceive his mind by outward attractions or craft (manipulation/witchcraft) unto fornication and it causes a woman to lust after another in her mind who is not her husband:

Testament of Reuben 5:1-7

1 For evil are women, my children; and since they have no power or strength over man, they use wiles by outward attractions, that they may draw him to themselves. 2 And whom they cannot bewitch by outward attractions, him they overcome by craft. 3 For moreover, concerning them, the angel of the Lord told me, and taught me, that women are overcome by the spirit of fornication more than men, and in their heart they plot against men; and by means of their adornment they deceive first their minds, and by the glance of the eye instill the poison, and then through the accomplished act they take them captive. 4 For a woman cannot force a man openly, but by a harlot’s bearing she beguiles him.

Sir 26:9

The whoredom of a woman may be known in her haughty looks and eyelids.

Testament of Reuben 6:1-4

1 Flee, therefore, fornication, my children, and command your wives and your daughters, that they adorn not their heads and faces to deceive the mind: because every woman who useth these wiles hath been reserved for eternal punishment. 2 For thus they allured the Watchers who were before the flood; for as these continually beheld them, they lusted after them, and they conceived the act in their mind; 3 for they changed themselves into the shape of men, and appeared to them when they were with their husbands. 4 And the women lusting in their minds after their forms, gave birth to giants, for the Watchers appeared to them as reaching even unto heaven.

A woman’s desire is suppose to be unto her husband, so the desire for a stranger besides him is the spirit of Fornication at work seeking to withdraw her from her husband and the Lord;

Genesis 3:16

Unto the woman he said, … thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

1 Corinthians 7:34

… she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.

Ephesians 5:22

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

A woman’s desire is suppose to be unto her husband and how she may please him being subject unto him as unto the Lord, so the desire for another or the desire to please another besides her husband is the spirit of fornication at work and it is shown in how she adorn herself and dresses or how she carries herself with the intent to entice others to desire her. A woman can be in the spirit of Fornication for:

Plotting against someone in her heart (by means of outward attractions or craft {manipulation/witchcraft}) to turn them unto fornication, gain control of them, get supply out of them, or get an advantage over them.
Lusting after someone in her mind that is not her husband.

For further edification on the spirit of Fornication and her works, please visit the website tab "Flee Fornication"

https://www.hebrewreaders.com/flee-fornication

Is Divorce Lawful?

Mark 10:2-3

And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him. 3 And he answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you?

Let's see what Moses commanded to know the answer as to whether it is lawful for a man to put away his wife or not:

Deuteronomy 24:1

When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness H6172 in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house.

Definition:

H6172

ערוה

BDB Definition:

1) nakedness, nudity, shame, pudenda 1a) pudenda (implying shameful exposure) 1b) nakedness of a thing, indecency, improper behaviour

Strong's Definition:

figuratively (disgrace, blemish):...unclean(-ness).

Yes, it’s lawful for the right cause of uncleanness {fornication} wherein a wife is "doing things like unto the heathen" (sinning) unrepentantly by evidence of continuation in improper behavior for a man to put away his wife according to the law of Moses. For understanding this, a man of understanding trusts in the law and it's what he meditates on in his life for guidance so as to go in the ways of the commandments:

Ecclesiasticus 33:3

A man of understanding trusteth in the law; and the law is faithful unto him, as an oracle.

Ecclesiasticus 6:37

Let thy mind be upon the ordinances of the Lord and meditate continually in his commandments: he shall establish thine heart, and give thee wisdom at thine owns desire.

The man of understanding's mind is upon the ordinances of the Lord to walk in the wisdom of it. When he gets a wife, he is marrying a woman that will be "a help like unto himself" to walk after his mind in the law.

Ecclesiasticus 7:26

Hast thou a wife after thy mind? forsake her not...

Ecclesiasticus 36:24

He that getteth a wife beginneth a possession, a help like unto himself, and a pillar of rest.

By precept, the uncleanness that would cause a woman not to find favor in a man of understanding's eyes are as follows:

Ecclesiasticus 7:26

Hast thou a wife after thy mind? forsake her not: but give not thyself over to a light woman.

Ecclesiasticus 25:26

If she go not as thou wouldest have her, cut her off from thy flesh, and give her a bill of divorce, and let her go.

By precepts, he would be seeking to have a woman after his mind to go in the way he would have her according to the commandments. Yet, if he can't build with her in that direction by her respecting him to go as he would have her, she won't find favor in his eyes because of the uncleanness (the spirit of Fornication in idolatry) at work in her wherein she is continuing in it unrepentantly. In such an instance, he would have to put her away as her works show she is "a light woman" who won't respect him to submit to him as her husband, so he must forsake her as she is not after his mind. On the other hand, if she was after his mind, he wouldn't forsake her to put her away. {Sir 7:26} Also, the grounds for separation being uncleanness (operating in the spirit of fornication) is for men too. If a woman's husband is showing he isn't pleased to dwell with her by operating in the spirit of fornication being a stumbling block to her walk in the faith, she also has to separate from him on the grounds of fornication lest she be a partaker in his sins:

Hermas Mandate 4

1[29]:9 Not only," saith he, "is it adultery, if a man pollute his flesh, but whosoever doeth things like unto the heathen committeth adultery. If therefore in such deeds as these likewise a man continue and repent not, keep away from him, and live not with him. Otherwise, thou also art a partaker of his sin.

These are the lawful grounds for separating from her husband because he is operating in the spirit of Fornication, but if she put him away based on her own grounds (though he wasn't operating in the spirit of Fornication) and married another, she would be committing adultery too because she wasn't justly divorced in the sight of Alahayim:

Mark 10:12

And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.

Notice, no mention of "the cause of fornication" is made by Christ to relay that divorcing (outside of the grounds of a spouse operating in the spirit of fornication) and remarrying to someone else is committing adultery because the person wasn't lawfully divorced in the sight of Alahayim. Thus far, Lord willing, you understand Christ was just shedding light on the law of Moses for us to understand what's right in the sight of Alahayim in regards to the legality of divorce and the proper grounds for it. Yache understood and gave the simple edification as to the truth of the Law of Alahayim given to Moses for us to understand divorce is lawful if done on the lawful grounds of fornication (uncleanness).

Matthew 19:3

The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?

Matthew 5:31

It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:

This is not the law of Moses as it is what was "being said" amongst the people, from the Pharisees unrighteous doctrine on divorce wherein they would put away their wives for every cause. On the other hand, Moses said that if "she found no favor in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement" so he gave the reason why one would give a bill of divorce. Christ came to rectify the truth of the law that "the only just grounds in the sight of Alahayim for putting away one's wife was for the cause of fornication (uncleanness), where she is unrepentantly operating in that spirit (or committing the act of fornication polluting her flesh with another person being lead by that same spirit of Fornication to do so)."

Matthew 5:32

But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery:...

Notice, Christ's words aligns with the law of Moses as he came to give the truth of the same Law (not to cause one jot or tittle to pass away) {Mat 5:17-18} to help us understand the "uncleanness found in her" that would cause her not to find favor in her husband's eyes would be "Fornication."

Matthew 5:17-18

Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

This was to help us understand the answer to the Pharisees question, "is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?" was "no, only for the cause of fornication (uncleanness) is it lawful to put away one's wife and give her a bill of divorce" as it is written in the law of Moses. {Duet 24:1}

Matthew 5:32

...and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery

If a man divorced his wife who wasn't in the spirit of Fornication committing adultery by doing things like unto the heathen (sinning) or polluting her flesh by having relations with a stranger besides her lawful husband, the man is causing her to commit adultery with another if she remarries to someone else because she wasn't lawfully divorced in the sight of Alahayim (though the man may have put her away according to his own causes).

Mark 10:11

And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her.

Notice, Christ didn't mention "the cause of fornication" here? It's because if a man just divorces her (and it isn't for the cause of fornication) then marries another, he is committing adultery (sinning) because it's only lawful to put a wife away if a man finds some "uncleanness in her," which means that she is polluted with idolatry in spiritual fornication unwilling to submit herself to her husband, {Eph 5:22} agree with him, {Amo 3:3; Sur 25:1} be after his mind, {Sir 7:26} and go in the way he would have her in obedience to the commandments showing she isn't pleased to dwell with him by her unwillingness to do the work it takes to submit herself to his rule over her for her salvation. {Gen 3:16; Eph 5:23} By the law of Moses and the truth of Christ's teachings, the grounds for divorce is fornication (committing adultery) wherein there has been found some uncleanness (idolatry) in a spouse that they are unwilling to take accountability for (confess), repent of, and forsake to find mercy in the endeavor of unity of the spiritual bond of marriage.

Proverbs 28:13

He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

Ephesians 4:3

Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

With this foundation on the law from the beginning, there are certain judgements in the law and testimonies for different marital situations as well to be covered on this website page:

A Wife vs a Light Woman

Before going into divorce scenarios, this section is to understand the characteristics of a person who is pleased to dwell with you as opposed to someone who isn't truly pleased to dwell with you but may still be seeking to maintain the relationship with you possibly because of the advantages they may feel they have in the relationship.

Ecclesiasticus 7:26

Hast thou a wife after thy mind? forsake her not: but give not thyself over to a light woman.

A wife after you mind, is one that wants to be with you and go in the way of the commandments as you are. On the other hand, a light woman is one who doesn't respect you and wants to go after her own mind though she may still want to maintain a relationship with you for whatever reason it may be.

A Wife After Your Mind

An example of a wife who goes after her husband’s mind is Leah:

Jubilees 36:23

23. For he loved her exceedingly after Rachel her sister died; for she was perfect and upright in all her ways and honoured Jacob, and all the days that she lived with him he did not hear from her mouth a harsh word, for she was gentle and peaceable and upright and honourable. 24. And he remembered all her deeds which she had done during her life, and he lamented her exceedingly; for he loved her with all his heart and with all his soul.

To go after his mind is to let go of her own desire and mindset to take on her husband’s desires and mindset with pleasure so she can go in the way he would have her by giving herself unto him even as a man has to let go of his desires and mindset to put on the mind of Christ with gladness.

Psalms 40:8

I delight to do thy will, O my Alahayim: yea, thy law is within my heart.

Genesis 3:16

Unto the woman he said, …thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

1 Corinthians 7:34

… she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.

A woman’s desire is suppose to be unto her husband and how she may please him. Leah was after Jacob's mind so she was upright and honored him not speaking harshly to him being gentle and peaceable which shows she listened to him and learned from him performing the righteousness of the fruits of the law towards him:

Sirach 26:14

A silent and loving woman is a gift of the Lord; and there is nothing so much worth as a mind well instructed

Sirach 36:23

If there be kindness, meekness, and comfort, in her tongue, then is not her husband like other men.

Proverbs 31:11-12

The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. 12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

A Light Woman

A light woman by precept can be identified as follows:

Sirach 26:24

A dishonest woman contemneth shame: but an honest woman will reverence her husband.

There will be a lack of respect for her husband and dishonesty in her dealings with him hating the shame of having to be honest with him as the covetousness would cause her to act on her desires then be ashamed to be honest about what she has done or is doing.

Acts of Thomas 27

And greed puts the soul into fear and shame; being within the body it seizes upon the goods of others, and is under fear lest if it restore other men's goods to their owner it be put to shame.

Unforunately, that shame of covetousness and lying would make the woman feel like she can't change so she won't listen to her husband's advice to implement whats needful for her repentance. (This can be the case for a man struggling with idolatry too):

Ecclesiasticus 20:26

The disposition of a liar is dishonourable, and his shame is ever with him.

An honest woman will honor her husband by being honest with him to overcome whatever she may be facing, and by getting his understanding to help her, she will become wise herself. On the other hand, a woman who won't be honest to honor her husband in her pride, will continue in the unholy works of Fornication and try to hide her hatred by Deceit, justify what she does in Wrath with Lying, or just be unashamed to stop in her arrogance (which Fornication and Lust teaches). She may also seek to be enabled to continue in it by means of manipulation in the deceit of Anger and Fornication:

Sirach 26:26

A woman that honoureth her husband shall be judged wise of all; but she that dishonoureth him in her pride shall be counted unholy of all.

Her pride will cause contention in the relationship with her husband

Sirach 26:7

An evil wife is a yoke shaken to and fro: he that hath hold of her is as though he held a scorpion.

There is always contention as her pride will cause rifts in the relationship

Sirach 22:5

She that is bold dishonoureth both her father and her husband, but they both shall despise her.

Proverbs 13:10

Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.

Proverbs 19:13

... the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.

Pro 21:9

It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.

The pride will cause rifts in the household where there is a lack of peace as they cannot get on the same page.
Also a symptom of a wife who isn't pleased to dwell with her husband though she may be maintaining him by means of manipulation, is whoredom wherein she is lusting after others or trying to entice others to lust after her:

Sirach 26:9, 11, 24

The whoredom of a woman may be known in her haughty looks and eyelids. 11 Watch over an impudent eye: and marvel not if she trespass against thee. 24 A dishonest woman contemneth shame: but an honest woman will reverence her husband...

In that lack of respect for her husband, not only may she have a lustful eye, but she would dress without shame in apparel that isn't modest with the intent of enticing others to lust after her though she is married:

Proverbs 7:10

And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart.

She also won't be humble and quiet spirited along with not desiring to be a keeper at home as she would desire to be out and about instead:

Proverbs 7:11

(She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house: 12 Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.)

She would be seeking freedom to travel on her own and do as she pleases without her husband, which isn't wise for him to consent unto as its showing she isn't truly pleased to dwell with him:

Sirach 25:25

Give the water no passage; neither a wicked woman liberty to gad abroad.

Sirach 26:8

A drunken woman and a gadder abroad causeth great anger, and she will not cover her own shame.

She may also struggle with drinking and going out without her husband while dressing immodestly without shame which would only cause him frustration with such works of irreverence for him. Another sign of her not being pleased to dwell with her husband is the displeasure that can be seen in her countenance with him and disturbing him from his peace as a quiet man with occasions of contention:

Sirach 25:17, 20

The wickedness of a woman changeth her face, and darkeneth her countenance like sackcloth. 20 As the climbing up a sandy way is to the feet of the aged, so is a wife full of words to a quiet man.

The woman who isn't pleased to dwell with her husband will essentially operate in manipulation by the spirit of anger leading her to do things in an attempt to maintain the relationship by controlling her husband:

Sirach 25:22

A woman, if she maintain her husband, is full of anger, impudence, and much reproach.

For some examples, emotional manipulation, guilt tripping, gaslighting, projecting, false accusations, disrespect, physical abuse or neglect, or hoovering can be means of manipulation to maintain her husband by tearing him down in an attempt for him not to leave her.

Sirach 25:23

A wicked woman abateth the courage, maketh an heavy countenance and a wounded heart: a woman that will not comfort her husband in distress maketh weak hands and feeble knees.

A woman who has no care for her husband wouldn't observe when he needs comfort, as she wouldn't see or place him above herself. The different behaviors discussed here indicate a light woman who isn't pleased to dwell with her husband and are grounds for divorce if she won't repent of her fornication to listen to her husband (or witnesses according to Matt 18:15-17) to do what's needful to change as she isn't going as he would have her:

Sirach 25:26

If she go not as thou wouldest have her, cut her off from thy flesh, and give her a bill of divorce, and let her go.

A Man in Fornication

If a man is operating in such fashions he is also showing his struggle with fornication in which, if he won't repent, he also needs to be put away:

Hermas Mandate 4

A woman ought to have a conversation with her husband if she notices he may be operating in the spirit of Fornication in such fashions. Some symptoms or characteristics of a man doing things like unto the heathen are as follows:

Jeremiah 5:7

How shall I pardon thee for this? thy children have forsaken me, and sworn by them that are no alahayims: when I had fed them to the full, they then committed adultery, and assembled themselves by troops in the harlots' houses.

He may be setting a bad example of a believer to the kids and his hypocrisy is causing the kids to forsake Alahayim for idols. He may also be unthankful for Alahayim’s blessing in his life and only coming unto Alahayim when he is in need, then when he gets what he wants, he forsakes Alahayim in adultery serving idols. He may also literally struggle with fornication polluting his flesh by sleeping with harlots. This struggle with fornication in the jealousy of her lusts can also be shown in lusting after other men’s wives not being content with his own portion:

Jeremiah 5:8

They were as fed horses in the morning: every one neighed after his neighbour's wife.

In the struggle with fornication, he may not only lust after other men’s wives but women in general as lack of contentment in covetousness would be characteristic of hatred for Alahayim in adultery of heart:

Matthew 5:27-28

So he may commit adultery with other men’s wives or in his heart lusting after others in general, whether it be the lust of the eyes or flesh. He may also struggle with keeping himself from evil and confessing his faults due to the workings of Covetousness:

Ecclesiasticus 4:20-21

Observe the opportunity, and beware of evil; and be not ashamed when it concerneth thy soul. 21 For there is a shame that bringeth sin; and there is a shame which is glory and grace.

He may be ashamed to confess his sins trying to hide them in his covetousness, hiding his hatred by deceit instead of being honest to put the work in to overcome his sins being ashamed of having done wrong.

Ecclesiasticus 4:25-26

In no wise speak against the truth; but be abashed of the error of thine ignorance. 26 Be not ashamed to confess thy sins; and force not the course of the river.

He may try to justify himself when he is wrong instead of just confessing his error and appreciating the correction. (This can go for men and women in any aspect of Fornication)

Ecclesiasticus 4:22-23

Accept no person against thy soul, and let not the reverence of any man cause thee to fall. 23 And refrain not to speak, when there is occasion to do good, and hide not thy wisdom in her beauty.

Being a respecter of persons, he may be afraid to speak up when there is an occasion to do good by holding someone accountable for a fault or admonishing them to help prevent them from falling into a transgression.

Ecclesiasticus 4:27

Make not thyself an underling to a foolish man; neither accept the person of the mighty.

He may admire people based on their stature in society or social circles rather than their character making himself an underling to them, though they may not be men of understanding by evidence of departing from evil.

Ecclesiasticus 4:28

Strive for the truth unto death, and the Lord shall fight for thee.

Romans 12:11

Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

He may not be working hard to overcome his shortcomings because of his covetousness making him lazy to do good works to change so the Lord can help him.

Ecclesiasticus 4:29

Be not hasty in thy tongue, and in thy deeds slack and remiss.

He may be hasty to speak on things without counsel and yet not follow through on what he said he will do as there is no fear of accountability when idolatry is at work in the mind:

Wisdom of Solomon 14:29

For insomuch as their trust is in idols, which have no life; though they swear falsely, yet they look not to be hurt.

He may also be emotionally reactive and unstable in the household which would lead to being unable to maintain temperance and poise when matters arise in the family and or business ventures:

Ecclesiasticus 4:30

Be not as a lion in thy house, nor frantick among thy servants.

He may also struggle with covetousness wanting to receive handouts unwilling to work with his own hands and then being unwilling to repay what he has borrowed for his own gain: (These signs pertain to men and women)

1 Thessalonians 4:3, 11-12

For this is the will of Alahayim, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: 11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; 12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.

Ecclesiasticus 4:31

Let not thine hand be stretched out to receive, and shut when thou shouldest repay.

Ecclesiasticus 29:4-6

Many, when a thing was lent them, reckoned it to be found, and put them to trouble that helped them. 5 Till he hath received, he will kiss a man's hand; and for his neighbour's money he will speak submissly: but when he should repay, he will prolong the time, and return words of grief, and complain of the time. 6 If he prevail, he shall hardly receive the half, and he will count as if he had found it: if not, he hath deprived him of his money, and he hath gotten him an enemy without cause: he payeth him with cursings and railings; and for honour he will pay him disgrace.

He may struggle with managing money well altogether because of his pride and desire for control being lead by wrath to spend unwisely in the desire for that which is perishable. The wrath would also lead to cruel dealings within the household. If the man won't repent of his pride, it would lead to him losing what he has (whether family or other things):

Sir 21:4

To terrify and do wrong will waste riches: thus the house of proud men shall be made desolate.

Ecclesiasticus 27:3

Unless a man hold himself diligently in the fear of the Lord, his house shall soon be overthrown.

A man has to do right by Alahayim in humility that his house may be protected from idols overtaking it because there is no hedge of protection by his prayers and good works;

Ecclesiasticus 10:21

The fear of the Lord goeth before the obtaining of authority: but roughness and pride is the losing thereof.

The prideful man will lose authority over his house because of his dealings, and that will open the family up to demons because they have no hedge of protection to pray for them, and to have their prayers be heard because of their sincere works towards the Lord;

Hosea 4:12-13

My people ask counsel at their stocks, and their staff declareth unto them: for the spirit of whoredoms hath caused them to err, and they have gone a whoring from under their Alahayim. 13 They sacrifice upon the tops of the mountains, and burn incense upon the hills, under oaks and poplars and elms, because the shadow thereof is good: therefore your daughters shall commit whoredom, and your spouses shall commit adultery.

Ecclesiasticus 36:25

Where no hedge is, there the possession is spoiled: and he that hath no wife will wander up and down mourning.

If a man doesn’t humble himself, he is liable to end up losing his wife because of his pride making him unwilling to humble himself and dwell with her according to the knowledge of the law. But, if he changes to do everything in the humility and long suffering of the commandments, he'll have his prayers heard because of his humility to submit himself unto the Lord who will send remedy and healing for the family:

1 Peter 3:7

Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

A good humble man’s prayers are effective because of his humility to help get him the help he needs from the Lord to help his family

Ecclesiasticus 35:17

The prayer of the humble pierceth the clouds: and till it come nigh, he will not be comforted; and will not depart, till the most High shall behold to judge righteously, and execute judgment.

Hermas Vision 1

3:2 But the great mercy of the Lord had pity on thee and thy family, and will strengthen thee, and establish thee in His glory. Only be not thou careless, but take courage, and strengthen thy family. For as the smith hammering his work conquers the task which he wills, so also doth righteous discourse repeated daily conquer all evil. Cease not therefore to reprove thy children; for I know that if they shall repent with all their heart, they shall be written in the books of life with the saints."

On the other hand, pride will lead the man to neglect his family in hatred being bitter about what they’ve done or what they’re doing instead of helping them to come out of the struggle that they’re in:

Hermas Vision 2

3[7]:1 "But do thou, Hermas, no longer bear a grudge against thy children, neither suffer thy sister to have her way, so that they may be purified from their former sins. For they shall be chastised with a righteous chastisement, unless thou bear a grudge against them thyself. The bearing of a grudge worketh death. But thou, Hermas, hast had great tribulations of thine own, by reason of the transgressions of thy family, because thou hadst no care for them. For thou wast neglectful of them, and wast mixed up with thine evil transactions.

A man’s decisions to give into pride, hatred and lack of compassion in mercy regardless of what others are doing will give him over to spiritual fornication of some kind by Fornication, Lust and Hatred keeping him from listening or seeing what he is doing that's causing his family hurt as he is the head of the house:

Testament of Judah 17:2-3

He may be inclined unto evil rather than good

and teach arrogance, and suffer not a man to have compassion upon his neighbour.

He may struggle with arrogance and other spirits of pride that would lead him to be self-willed and selfish not being empathetic or considerate of others and how his choices affect others. This can lead to him neglecting to take care of his own household:

1 Timothy 5:8

But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

Testament of Judah 17:4-6

They rob his soul of all goodness, and oppress him with toils and troubles,

He may struggle with anxiety and doing what's right to Alahayim having mental health struggles due to the different spirits that oppress him with toils and trouble unto susceptibility to depression and sorrow.

and drive away sleep from him, and devour his flesh.

He/she may struggle in their sleep because of the spirits that attack them at night not suffering their mind to rest from the frenzy to get good sleep. He also may struggle with maintaining his bodily health with poor decision making, whether in regards to physical activity or his diet, which can lead to major weight loss or excessive weight gain as his mental health is struggling so he'll stop taking good care of his body because of his mental struggles. Envy can lead to excessive weight loss as it doesn't suffer a man to eat or drink while covetousness (greed) and wrath can lead to excessive weigh gain causing a man to desire that which is perishable to over eat as a coping mechanism for his mental/emotional health struggles.

5 And he hindereth the sacrifices of Alahayim; And he remembereth not the blessing of Alahayim,

He may struggle with being thankful or showing gratitude and contentment with what he is blessed with to offer thanksgiving as a sacrifice unto Alahayim from his heart as he isn't content with his portion. He may also struggle to endure the growth process with thankfulness as he doesn't remember the blessings of his iniquities being revealed, so he can turn from them when he is given the awareness as the sorrow would lead to adding sin upon sin, rather than being thankful for the insight to work on growing out of the shortcoming in fervency of spirit and rejoicing in hope believing he can change. [Rom 12:11-12]

he hearkeneth not to a prophet when he speaketh, and resenteth the words of holiness. 6 For he is a slave to two contrary passions, and cannot obey Alahayim, because they have blinded his soul, And he walketh in the day as in the night

He may struggle to listen to Alahayim's ministers and love the words of holiness spoken by them or in His holy scriptures as the spirits he has more pleasure in would not suffer him to take pleasure in the words that reprove their works and would enable him to come out of the strongholds of the hatred they've instilled in his heart towards Alahayim:

Testament of Gad 4:1

If a man is operating in such unrighteous fashions doing things like unto the heathen, his wife ought to have a conversation with him. If he won't repent and put in the work to change, she ought to go through the proper steps to bring accountability according to Matthew 18 and if he continues in his fornication, she ought to put him away lest she be a partaker in his adultery:

Matthew 18:15-18

Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

Grounds for No Reconciliation after Divorce

The Lord wants spouses to work their marriage out with one another in love endeavoring to remain joined together spiritually.

Ephesians 4:1-3

I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

If the cause of problems in the relationship isn’t fornication, a husband and wife ought to work things out instead of a wife departing or husband putting away his wife (either of which for unjust causes):

1 Corinthians 7:10-11

And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: 11 But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.

Being Put Away & Remarriage

On the other hand, when operating in the spirit of Fornication which teaches arrogance, a wife would be bold in her pride dishonoring her husband which would cause him to not to be pleased with her as she is a light woman who doesn’t respect him to go after his mind:

Sirach 26:26

A woman that honoureth her husband shall be judged wise of all; but she that dishonoureth him in her pride shall be counted unholy of all.

Sirach 22:5

She that is bold dishonoureth both her father and her husband, but they both shall despise her.

Sirach 7:26

Hast thou a wife after thy mind? forsake her not: but give not thyself over to a light woman.

In instances where fornication is the cause wherein a brother has to put away his unbelieving wife because she won’t repent in her pride, he has to divorce her as she is spiritually divided from Alahayim and him:

Deuteronomy 24:1

When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house.

If a brother detects his wife operating in the spirit of fornication and she won’t repent to the take accountability, then he must give her a bill of divorce and separate from her sending her out his house. She has three choices when she is sent away from him, either to;

1) humble herself in her time that she abides alone and return unto him to be reconciled, [1Co 7:11]

2) continue in her unrepentance (pride) to remain alone all her days, [Jash 25:17; Jub 19:11]

3) if she desires to remarry, she may continue in her unrepentance (pride) that lead to her being put away wherein she may go be another man’s wife in her fornication: [Duet 24:2]

Deuteronomy 24:2

And when she is departed out of his house, she may go and be another man's wife.

She is in fornication by remarrying as she didn’t repent to be reconciled to her first husband when she had the opportunity. Lord willing she comes to repentance to walk in humility with her second husband. Yet if she doesn’t, her pride would lead to the second husband having no delight in her too because she continued operating in the spirit of Fornication:

Deuteronomy 24:3

And if the latter husband hate her, and write her a bill of divorcement, and giveth it in her hand, and sendeth her out of his house;...

It may be on the other hand where he was pleased to dwell with her because she learned from her experience to humble herself to him and he lived out his days with her or he may have died in his own iniquity unfortunately.

...or if the latter husband die, which took her to be his wife;

Yet in either case, she may not return to her former husband:

Deuteronomy 24:4

Her former husband, which sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that is abomination before Ahayah: and thou shalt not cause the land to sin, which Ahayah thy Alahayim giveth thee for an inheritance.

By the ordinances of the Lord, after a divorce, when a woman remarries, she may not return unto her former husband under any circumstances. This is the law whether she was a believer having one opportunity to repent from fornication to submit herself to her husband seeking to be reconciled, or being an unbeliever who was put away from her husband for fornication, she may not return unto her former husband under any circumstances.

Departure & Remarriage

In another scenario, a woman may depart from her first husband in unbelief, not being pleased to dwell with him to go the way he would have her by submitting to his rule over her.

1 Corinthians 7:15

But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but Alahayim hath called us to peace.

In such instances, if the unbelieving remarries in her fornication, after her husband gives her a bill of divorce in respect of her desire to depart, she may not return unto her former husband.

Deuteronomy 24:4

In closing, if any woman, whether formerly a believer or unbeliever, (whether she is put away for fornication {uncleanness} or departs from her husband in unbelief {fornication} and is given a bill of divorce to be at peace), doesn’t repent to reconcile by submitting herself to her husband but chooses to remarry to another man instead of utilizing the one opportunity of repentance, she may not return unto her former husband, lest the land be polluted:

Jeremiah 3:1

…If a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another man's, shall he return unto her again? shall not that land be greatly polluted?

What Does it Mean to Repent?

Repentance is to change one’s mind and actually do the work to change one’s mindset and behavior due to remorse for the wrong committed being honest (simplicity) and transparent (guileless) in the changing process without deceit because one wants to change by being simple and guileless to overcome wickedness:

Matthew 18:15

Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

Definition:

G191 (Thayer)

ἀκούω

akouō

Thayer Definition: 2b) to attend to, consider what is or has been said 2c) to understand, perceive the sense of what is said 3e) to comprehend, to understand

A person who repents when a fault is brought before them would listen to actually take heed to what you’re saying to comprehend it and understand it to be mindful of not making the same mistake by working on it and appreciating when you may notice they may falter as they are desiring to correct the behavior without getting offended:

Ecclesiasticus 19:13

Admonish a friend, .. if he have done it, that he do it no more.

Proverbs 9:8

...rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.

Luke 17:4

And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

Because he is repentant, he will come to you to confess his fault because he wants to change in simplicity and guilelessness not trying to hide his sin as he desires to overcome it so he'll put the work in and forsake his shortcomings:

Proverbs 28:13

He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

Romans 12:11-12

Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; 12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

Testament of Asher 1:6-7

Therefore if the soul take pleasure in the good (inclination), all its actions are in righteousness; and if it sin it straightway repenteth. 7For, having its thoughts set upon righteousness, and casting away wickedness, it straightway overthroweth the evil, and uprooteth the sin.

In their growing process, there may be instances where they trespass against you and you'll have to bring it to their attention as well (as there are instances they may not be aware of their errors as they are working through destroying ignorance through acknowledgment and repentance). In such instance, they will take accountability if they desire to change when you don't suffer sin upon them by bringing the fault to their atention in love:

Leviticus 19:17

Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.

Luke 17:3

Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.

Definition:

G3340 (Strong)

μετανοέω

metanoeō

met-an-o-eh'-o

From G3326 and G3539; to think differently or afterwards, that is, reconsider (morally to feel compunction): - repent.

Thayer Definition:

2) to change one’s mind for better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one’s past sins

A person who repents actually listens to learn, understand, and change their mind to amend by changing their behavior because they don’t actually have pleasure in continuing in what they did wrong formerly so they'll work to overcome that hurtful pleasure. Because of this, they will be simplistic and guileless in the work to stop the evil because they’ve received your words (seed) and actually want to change so they'll bring forth fruit in patience with themselves by good works to overthrow the evil inclination that lead them astray:

Luke 8:15

But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

Testament of Asher 3:1-2

But do not ye, my children, wear two faces like unto them, of goodness and of wickedness; but cleave unto goodness only, for Alahayim hath his habitation therein, and men desire it. 2 But from wickedness flee away, destroying the (evil) inclination by your good works

Hermas Mandate 4

2[30]:2 He answered and said unto me, "I," saith he, "preside over repentance, and I give understanding to all who repent. Nay, thinkest thou not," saith he, "that this very act of repentance is understanding? To repent is great understanding," saith he. "For the man that hath sinned understandeth that he hath done evil before the Lord, and the deed which he hath done entereth into his heart, and he repenteth, and doeth no more evil, but doeth good lavishly, and humbleth his own soul and putteth it to torture because it sinned. Thou seest then that repentance is great understanding.

Hermas Parable 6

1:4 Ye then that repent, cast away the evil doings of this world which crush you; and, by putting on every excellence of righteousness, ye shall be able to observe these commandments, and to add no more to your sins. If then ye add no further sin at all, ye will depart from your former sins. Walk then in these my commandments, and ye shall live unto Alahayim. These things have [all] been told you from me."

Hermas Vision II

3[7]:2 But herein is thy salvation, in that thou didst not depart from the living Alahayim, and in thy simplicity and thy great continence. These have saved thee, if thou abidest therein; and they save all who do such things, and walk in guilelessness and simplicity. These men prevail over all wickedness, and continue unto life eternal.

Hermas Mandate 2

1[27]:1 He saith to me; "Keep simplicity and be guileless, and thou shalt be as little children, that know not the wickedness which destroyeth the life of men.

Simplicity: the quality or condition of being easy to understand or do or uncomplicated in form or design

Guileless: devoid of guile; innocent and without deception. free from slyness; sincere and straightforward

By precept a person that repents is free from deceit or vain show to cover their hatred, being simplistic (easy to understand in their transparency and mode of action) and guileless (transparent about their struggles in their growing process to their counselor) without trying to deceive or save face with a false self as they are truly working from their heart to overcome all wickedness. In this effort they will actually stop the evil they're doing because their evil deed actually entered their heart which lead them to treat the matter with a sense of urgency not to do it anymore by working through it in fervency of spirit. When they stop they will overcome their sin. These are the symptoms and characteristics of a repentant soul in any relationship.

Laws of Divorce/Separation/Re-marriage

Marrying Virgins of Israel

If a man take a wife of the virgins of Israel and goes in unto her, and hates her, and brings up an evil name upon her saying she was not a virgin and the occasion of speech against her be false, she shall be his wife and he may not put her away all his days. [Deu 22:13-19]

Marrying Maid-Wives

A woman who is a (maid-wife) is free to depart from her husband and to return to her family if he is not "taking care of his own" [ITi 5:8] by providing her food, raiment, and duty of marriage. [Exo 21:10-11] He is operating in unbelief (fornication) showing he is not pleased to dwell with her by his works. She may be given in marriage to a man of understanding (believer) after she goes out free [Sir 7:25] as the cause of her departing from him was due to his fornication [Matt 5:32] in operating worse than an infidel by not taking care of his own house. [ITi 5:8] If he was a brother, she would need to abide alone with her family for the duration of his one opportunity of repentance before remarrying in hopes he would repent and be reconciled unto her. [Hermas Mandate 4]

Marrying Wives of War

An orphaned woman who is consenting to be a wife after war may freely depart from her husband if he has no delight in her due to her improper behavior (uncleanness) which shows she is not pleased to dwell with him. He must let her go where ever she may freely, since he humbled her. [Duet 21:10-14] He may give her a bill of divorce and let her go out of his house [Duet 24:1] as we are called to peace. [ICo 7:15] If she doesn't remarry to another man, she may repent and return unto her husband during her opportunity of repentance, [ICo 7:10-11] yet not often as there is only one opportunity of repentance [ICo 7:16] unless the Lord gives healing and would have the man to take her back a second time. [Hermas Mandate 4 {1:11}] If at any time she marries another man after leaving, she may not return unto her first husband after she has been defiled in remarriage under any circumstances. [Duet 24:1-4]

Widows and Widowers

If a spouse dies, the living spouse is free to marry another, only in the Lord [I Co 7:39] and it is not adultery though he/she is married to another in this case. [Rom 7:2-3]

Equally Yoked Marriages

Believing Spouses ought to remain together. If believing spouses are not at peace to dwell together for some cause and a wife must depart from her husband for peace sake, they both must remain unmarried. If they desire to marry or cannot contain their desire for benevolence, [I Co 7:9] they must return to each other to avoid fornication. [I Co 7:10-11, 2]

Believers with Grounds for Divorce

If a believer detects their believing spouse in adultery (sinning) and they won't repent, the believer must not live with that unrepentant spouse lest they be an accomplice in their adultery.[Shepherd of Hermas Mandate 4] The believer must remain alone to give the unrepentant spouse at fault one opportunity to repent and return. There is one opportunity of repentance from adultery for a believing spouse wherein the believer is required to abide without taking on another spouse as the law does not permit for a relationship to continue in a cycle of fornication, getting put away, repenting, and returning. This means, if the spouse who was put away for fornication, repented, returned, and was received, then goes back into fornication again and won't repent, then the believer is free to divorce them outright without being required to receive them back. Also, the believer may remarry to another believer if the Lord wills they do so. [Shepherd of Hermas Mandate 4; I Co 7:39] After putting away the unrepentant spouse a second time, the believer is not obligated to let them return (unless the Lord gives healing and ordains for the believer to do so.)

Unequally Yoked Marriages

Believers divorcing Unbelievers

A believer is free to remarry unto another believer (if the Lord wills) after divorcing an unbelieving spouse for the cause of fornication. [Matt 19:9, Deut 24:1] If it was an unbelieving wife who was put away for fornication (and she hasn't remarried to another man), she does have one opportunity of repentance to return unto the Brother (believing husband), yet not often as the law doesn't permit for fornication, repentance and returning to be a cycle. In instances where the Brother may have remarried, the unbelieving wife who repents and desires to return unto him may still do so and be received back so long as the brother and his new wife are in agreement with receiving her back as they can't walk together except they be agreed. [Amo 3:3; Sir 4:12] On the other hand, if the unbelieving wife did remarry to another man after being put away, she cannot return unto her former husband in any wise. [Duet 24:1-4]

If on the other hand, a Sister had to put away her unbelieving husband on the grounds of fornication, she may remarry to a Brother in the Lord (if the Lord wills). [Matt 5:32; ICo 7:8-9; 2] For the duration of her remaining unmarried after divorcing the unbeliever, the unbelieving husband has an opportunity of repentance to return unto her. If she remarries in the Lord to a Brother, she is no adulteress as she divorced and remarried under the lawful grounds of fornication. Once she remarried, she cannot return unto her former husband in anywise. [Duet 24:4]

Unbelievers departing from Believers

If the unbelieving spouse is not pleased to dwell with the believer and departs on their own accord in unbelief (fornication), the believer must let them depart in peace, [I Co 7:15] give them a bill of divorce, [Sir 25:26] and is not in bondage to that marriage to remain unmarried though the unbeliever has an opportunity to repent and return to their spouse. [I Co 7:11] If the believer marries another while separated from the unbeliever, it is lawful as they did divorce the unbeliever for the cause of fornication so they were not in bondage to remain unmarried. [Matt 19:9]

Also, if the unbeliever departs from the believer and sleeps with another, it is also fornication which absolves the believer from being required to reconcile with the unbeliever if they repent and seek reconciliation as they are not "in bondage" in such cases and the unbeliever didn't repent during their opportunity to do so. [Matt 5:32; I Co 7:15] If the believer doesn't remarry after this act of fornication has been committed against them, they are still not obligated to be reconciled with the unbeliever who committed fornication after departing from them instead of repenting, unless the Lord wills they do so as He is who gives healing and has authority over such things. In instances where the believer remarries lawfully, the unbelieving wife who departed still can repent and desire to return unto the Brother to be reconciled with him if she hadn't married someone else. It's just in this instance, the Brother and his new wife would have to be in agreement to do so if the Lord willed them to do so.[Amo 3:3; Sir 4:12]

On the other hand, if the unbeliever marries another after departing from the believer, it is adultery. [Matt 19:9; Mark 10:12] In that case, the believer is still free to re-marry someone else in the Lord [I Co 7:39] as they are not "in bondage" in such cases. [I Co 7:10-15] The only difference is if it's an unbelieving woman who remarried after departing, she may not be reconciled unto the Brother under any circumstances lest the land be defiled. [Duet 24:2-4]

Divorce with an Unbeliever

(who departs)

Coming out of the world, one may be called unto the faith while one was already married. In such instances, don't seek to depart from that marriage:

1 Corinthians 7:20, 27

Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. 27 Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed.

Though your spouse may not be a believer, there is hope for their salvation through your good works and the laws help ensure they have that opportunity:

1 Corinthians 7:12-13

But to the rest speak I, not Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away. 13 And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.

It is unrighteous for a Brother or Sister to divorce their spouse who has not committed fornication against them and is pleased to dwell with them by not being a stumbling block to their walk in the faith and respecting the direction they would want the children to go in the faith.

1 Corinthians 7:14

For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.

By the brother or sister being respected by their unbelieving spouse to walk in the faith without being withstood and teaching their children likewise, it sanctifies the whole household though the unbelieving spouse may not believe the Gospel themselves.

1 Corinthians 7:15

But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but Alahayim hath called us to peace.

If the unbelieving spouse is not pleased to dwell with the believer by not respecting their lifestyle in the faith or trying to deter them from upholding the faith or teaching the kids to go in another direction, they will want to separate (as they are in fornication by their works) and the brother or sister must let them depart peaceably respecting the divorce. The brother or sister is not in bondage in such cases to abide alone, so they may lawfully remarry, yet after being loosed from a spouse, they ought not to seek another spouse but focus on pleasing the Lord until He gives them a spouse according to His will, if He wills them to be married so that they do not suffer by getting into another carnal relationship on their own accord:

1Co 7:27, 32, 34

...Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife. 32 But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord... 34 The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit:

Testament of Reuben 4:1

Pay no heed, therefore, my children, to the beauty of women, nor set your mind on their affairs; but walk in singleness of heart in the fear of the Lord, and expend labour on good works, and on study and on your flocks, until the Lord give you a wife, whom He will, that ye suffer not as I did.

Though the brother or sister is at liberty to remarry, it may be that the unbeliever that departed in their unbelief (fornication) will repent and return unto them to be saved:

1 Corinthians 7:16

16 For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?

Now if the unbeliever goes and sleeps with someone else, it's fornication. If they marry someone else while they departed from the believer, they have committed adultery against the believer because the believer didn't commit fornication against them to justify divorcing them and remarrying:

Matt 19:9

[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.

Mar 10:12

And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.

So an unbeliever who departs (divorces) from a believer who hadn't committed fornication against them and marries someone else, is committing adultery against the believer. For this reason, if the unbeliever departs from the believer, they ought to remain alone and be reconciled to the believer to avoid committing adultery in this scenario.

I Corinthians 7:11

But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband

Also, during the time while the unbeliever is remaining alone without remarrying after departing, if the believer remarries instead of remaining alone during that time, it is lawful as they weren't in bondage in such cases. In this scenario, if the woman was the unbelieving spouse that departed from a Brother, she surely ought to repent and return to her husband, {1Co 7:11} yet if she chose to remarry another man, she may not return unto the Brother under any circumstances after that she has been defiled lest the land fall to whoredoms:

Deuteronomy 24:2-4

And when she is departed out of his house, she may go and be another man's wife. 3 And if the latter husband hate her, and write her a bill of divorcement, and giveth it in her hand, and sendeth her out of his house; or if the latter husband die, which took her to be his wife; 4 Her former husband, which sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that is abomination before Ahayah and thou shalt not cause the land to sin, which Ahayah thy Alahayim giveth thee for an inheritance.

If the unbelieving spouse was a man that departed from a Sister, if the sister remarries in the Lord, the unbelieving man cannot be reconciled unto her even if he repented lest the land be defiled. If he chose to remarry or fornicate with another woman after departing, he has committed adultery against the Sister and she wouldn't be obligated to reconcile with him if she hadn't remarried herself as yet in such instances. Now if she happens to have remained alone focusing on pleasing the Lord and the unbelieving man repents and divorces the other woman he was in adultery with and returns unto the sister, she is not obligated to receive him back as there was only one opportunity of repentance wherein he chose not to, yet if the Lord wills she receives him, she may as it's the Lord who gives healing and has authority over all things.

Divorce with an Unbeliever

(in uncleanness)

1 Corinthians 7:12-13

It is unrighteous for a Brother or Sister to divorce their spouse who has not committed fornication against them and is pleased to dwell with them by not being a stumbling block to their walk in the faith and respecting the direction they would want the children to go in the faith.

1 Corinthians 7:14

For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.

By the brother or sister being respected by their unbelieving spouse to walk in the faith without being withstood and teaching their children likewise, it sanctifies the whole household though the unbelieving spouse may not believe the Gospel themselves. Now it may happen that the unbelieving spouse is not pleased to dwell with the believer, but they don't desire to depart, but rather to maintain the believer by means of uncleanness (idolatry) to control the relationship. The types of behavior that can indicate this was discussed in the "Light Woman" and "Man in Fornication" portion of this tab. When this type of behavior happens and the believer becomes aware of the adultery being committed against them and the unbeliever won't repent, they must put them away because of their uncleanness that's hurting the relationship and family lest they be a partaker and accomplice in their adultery:

Hermas Mandate 4

Deuteronomy 24:1

This is the proper grounds for divorce as the unbeliever's uncleanness is fornication which makes the divorce lawful in the sight of Alahayim so that no adultery is being committed on the believer's behalf:

Matthew 5:32

But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

In this scenario, since the unbeliever has been divorced for the cause of fornication, the believer is free to remarry whom the Lord wills (if the Lord wills they remarry), yet they aren't to go seeking a spouse. Rather, they are to remain unmarried focusing on pleasing the Lord until He gives them a spouse according to His will as Reuben commanded so as not to suffer for getting into a relationship because of their own lusts as befell Judah for an example:

1Co 7:27, 32, 34

...Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife. 32 But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord...34 The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit:

Testament of Reuben 4:1

Now if the Lord wills for them to marry, they may marry and it is no sin upon them because they lawfully divorced their unbelieving spouse so they do not have to remain unmarried waiting on the unbeliever to repent from their fornication against them:

1 Corinthians 7:28

But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned;...Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you.

The believer need only to be mindful to wait upon the Lord to ensure they marry another believer according to the Lord's will as it is unlawful to be unequally yoked by making marriages with unbelievers:

2 Corinthians 6:14

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

Now as far as the unbeliever who was put away for fornication by the believer, they have a three options.

1. Remain alone in their uncleanness unrepentantly.

1 Corinthians 7:15 But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but Alahayim hath called us to peace.

2. Repent in humility and be reconciled to the believer (in such instances where a sister put away an unbelieving man and remarries to a brother, her former husband cannot return unto her as that would be adultery against the brother she is married to now. On the other hand, if it's a brother who put away an unbelieving woman, she may be reconciled unto him if she repents as she does have an opportunity of repentance though the brother may remarry himself. In instances where the brother may have already remarried then the unbelieving woman repents and desires to return unto him, if it's agreeable to the brother and his new wife according to the Lord's will, he may receive her back. Yet, if she goes back into fornication and he has to put her away again, he is not obligated to receive her back a second time seeing as though there is only one opportunity of repentance unless the Lord gives healing and ordains for the brother to do so).

1 Corinthians 7:16 For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?

3. Go be another person's spouse in their uncleanness. In such instances, if it be an unbelieving woman that was put away from a brother for uncleanness, she may not return unto the brother that divorced her at the first, lest the land be defiled:

Deuteronomy 24:2 And when she is departed out of his house, she may go and be another man's wife. 3 And if the latter husband hate her, and write her a bill of divorcement, and giveth it in her hand, and sendeth her out of his house; or if the latter husband die, which took her to be his wife; 4 Her former husband, which sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that is abomination before Ahayah: and thou shalt not cause the land to sin, which Ahayah thy Alahayim giveth thee for an inheritance.

On the other hand, if it was a unbelieving man that was put away from a sister and he chooses to remarry, he has continued in fornication against the sister seeing as though he was already put away for committing adultery against her, so he has absolved his one opportunity of repentance to return unto her. So if he happens to divorce the woman he married in his adultery and repents and desires to return unto the sister, (if it be that she didn't remarry as yet according to the Lord's will) she is not obligated to be reconciled with him as the opportunity of repentance is once and the law does not give an occasion that a cycle of fornication, repentance, and returning should continue happening. Unless the Lord reveals it is His will for her to receive him back, as He is who gives healing and has authority in these things, she is not obligated to do so.

Divorce with a Believer

(detected in adultery)

There is a difference between how marriage situations are handled between believers as oppose to unequally yoked marriages wherein someone is an unbeliever when it comes to adultery being committed. If a faithful spouse is detected in adultery (sinning) and they won't repent of it, they must be put away lest their believing spouse be an accomplice and partaker in their adultery. After they are put away, the struggling spouse has one opportunity of repentance to humble themselves and be reconciled to their spouse, but if they do not repent by evidence of marrying another person to continue in their fornication, the Brother or Sister who put them away is free to marry another believer (if the Lord wills) and is not obligated to receive their former spouse back again because they have chosen not to take advantage of their one opportunity of repentance. In instances where the struggling spouse does use the opportunity of repentance to return unto their believing spouse, if they go back into fornication again unrepentantly, they must be put away again as they are showing they are truly an unbeliever, so the believing spouse is free to remarry in the Lord and is not obligated to permit the now unbelieving spouse to return unto them. Let's look at the law pertaining to these things:

Shepherd of Hermas Mandate 4

Mandate 4 of Hermas pertains to marriages between believers wherein one of them may be facing a hurdle in their journey and fall into adultery (sinning). This chapter explains what the spouse who is still standing in the faith ought to do when they detect their spouse operating in the spirit of Fornication:

When the believer wasn't aware of their spouse operation in fornication, they weren't sinning by living with them, yet when they detect their spouse's unhealthy works in fornication (as they may grow in understanding to help themselves and their spouse), they must have a conversation with them in hopes that they'll repent so as not to allow fornication to continue to cause division between them (as idols have no concord with Alahayim).

Matthew 18:15-18

Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

Yet, if the struggling spouse won't hear them to come to repentance, the believer has to go through the proper protocols of getting a witness against them.

16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

If they won't hear the witnesses to repent, the believer has to separate from them and give them a bill of divorce lest they sin as an accomplice in the adultery of their struggling spouse. This goes the same for a sister who may detect her husband, a brother, in adultery. She also has to depart from him if we won't repent and continues in his fornication after she has gone through the proper steps [Matt 18:15-17] to bring her concerns to his attention:

Hermas Mandate 4

So if a believing spouse is detected in adultery (fornication), the Brother or Sister must not live with them and divorce them so as not to partake in their sins and remain single (or {for brothers} without taking another wife if one already has a wife when the divorce is transpired) for the one opportunity of repentance for their spouse to return.

1[29]:6 "What then, Sir," say I, "shall the husband do, if the wife continue in this case?" "Let him divorce her," saith he, "and let the husband abide alone: but if after divorcing his wife he shall marry another, he likewise committeth adultery."

1[29]:10 for this cause ye were enjoined to remain single, whether husband or wife; for in such cases repentance is possible.

1[29]:7 "If then, Sir," say I, "after the wife is divorced, she repent and desire to return to her own husband, shall she not be received?"

1[29]:8 "Certainly," saith he, "if the husband receiveth her not, he sinneth and bringeth great sin upon himself; nay, one who hath sinned and repented must be received, yet not often; for there is but one repentance for the servants of Alahayim. For the sake of her repentance therefore the husband ought not to marry. This is the manner of acting enjoined on husband and wife.

The law is about mercy in marriage as Alahayim our Father is merciful. The believer ought to dwell alone without remarrying for the duration of the struggling believers one opportunity of repentance in hopes that they will repent and be reconciled unto them, lest they bear sin for not operating in humility and long-suffering to observe the law by remarrying while their struggling spouse still has an opportunity to repent and return.

1[29]:8 ".. one who hath sinned and repented must be received, yet not often; for there is but one repentance for the servants of Alahayim.

1[29]:11 I," said he, "am not giving an excuse that this matter should be concluded thus, but to the end that the sinner should sin no more. But as concerning his former sin, there is One Who is able to give healing; it is He Who hath authority over all things."

This means a Brother or Sister is to remain single to give a believing spouse an opportunity to repent, yet the law does not give occasion for a spouse to continue in a cycle of fornication, divorce, repentance, and reconciliation as the intent is for the sinner to sin no more, so repentance is not often, but once for the servants of Alahayim. If while during the struggling sister's opportunity of repentance, she continues in her fornication and marry's another instead of reconciling to the faithful brother who held her accountable, she has shown herself to be an unbeliever by her works and may not return unto the brother under any circumstances lest the land be defiled:

Deuteronomy 24:3-4

And if the latter husband hate her, and write her a bill of divorcement, and giveth it in her hand, and sendeth her out of his house; or if the latter husband die, which took her to be his wife; 4 Her former husband, which sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that is abomination before Ahayah: and thou shalt not cause the land to sin, which Ahayah thy Alahayim giveth thee for an inheritance.

Remarriage for Widows

If a spouse dies, the living spouse is free to marry another, only in the Lord [I Co 7:39] and it is not adultery though he/she is married to another in this case. [Rom 7:2-3]

Romans 7:1

Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? 2 For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. 3 So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.

1 Corinthians 7:39

The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord. 40 But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of Alahayim.

A widower and widow does have the option of remaining unmarried, yet for widows, they must be of 60 years of age and upwards to do so:

1 Timothy 5:9-15

Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man, 10 Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work. 11 But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry; 12 Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith. 13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. 14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. 15 For some are already turned aside after Satan.

Widows under 60 years old need to remarry to help them from forsaking Alahayim and turning after Satan.

Divorce for Virgins

A daughter's father has a care for her body to ensure she isn't defiled by someone sleeping with her and/or getting her pregnant in her virginity before she is given in marriage:

Ecclesiasticus 42:9-10

The father waketh for the daughter, when no man knoweth; and the care for her taketh away sleep: ...10 In her virginity, lest she should be defiled and gotten with child in her father's house...

If he notices she struggles with the desire for the works of the spirit of Fornication by her shameless behaviors, he has to take measures to protect her from herself as he can see she desires the pleasure of intercourse:

Ecclesiasticus 26:9-12

The whoredom of a woman may be known in her haughty looks and eyelids. 10 If thy daughter be shameless, keep her in straitly, lest she abuse herself through overmuch liberty. 11 Watch over an impudent eye: and marvel not if she trespass against thee. 12 She will open her mouth, as a thirsty traveller when he hath found a fountain, and drink of every water near her: by every hedge will she sit down, and open her quiver against every arrow.

Ecclesiasticus 7:24

Hast thou daughters? have a care of their body, and shew not thyself cheerful toward them.

Noticing she is liable to fornicate if opportunity presents itself, it's not a light matter as he has care for her body to protect her from herself. He ought to give her in marriage to help her avoid fornication in such instances as she cannot contain herself:

1 Corinthians 7:9, 36

But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn. 36 But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry.
Ecclesiasticus 7:25

Marry thy daughter, and so shalt thou have performed a weighty matter: but give her to a man of understanding.

There are instances wherein virgins defile their virginity unbeknownst to their parents:

Apocalypse of Paul 39

And I saw there girls clad in black raiment, and four fearful angels holding in their hands red-hot chains, and they put them upon their necks (heads) and led them away into darkness. And again I wept and asked the angel: Who are these, Lord? And he said unto me: These are they which being virgins defiled their virginity, and their parents knew it not: wherefore without ceasing they pay the due penalty.

A believing father would do well and communicate to a brother if he knows his daughter isn't a virgin, so when the father has given her in marriage, he and the man she is given to, isn't under the impression she is a virgin and hasn’t been lain with to be impregnated already:

Deuteronomy 22:13-14

The woman was supposed to be a virgin, but upon sleeping with her, he notices she has been defiled by being lain with before by someone else and is pregnant already by someone else. If it’s true by evidence of her father’s inability to provide the cloth with her flowers (blood) upon it (tokens of virginity) to confirm she isn’t pregnant, the man may divorce her lawfully outright without requirement to receive her back:

Deuteronomy 22:20 -22

But if this thing be true, and the tokens of virginity be not found for the damsel: 21 Then they shall bring out the damsel to the door of her father's house, and the men of her city shall stone her with stones that she die: because she hath wrought folly in Israel, to play the whore in her father's house: so shalt thou put evil away from among you.

We are not under the law of judgement to stone her as only he that is in without sin can cast a stone at her.

John 8:7, 10-11

…He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. 10 When Yache had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? 11 She said, No man, Lord. And Yache said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

Under the law of Liberty under Grace, she is in the Lord’s hands (as he is without sin) and she ought to go and sin no more in repentance. Being a single mother now, she can be saved in child bearing if she keeps the faith going forward:

1 Timothy 2:15

Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

Now in instances where a man and his wife have been married and his wife commits adultery with another and gets impregnated by another, similar to the scenario of the law on defiled virgins, she has played the whore in adultery. Her husband may put her away and is not required to receive her back for her trespass against him and disobedience to the law:

Ecclesiasticus 23:22

Thus shall it go also with the wife that leaveth her husband, and bringeth in an heir by another. 23 For first, she hath disobeyed the law of the most High; and secondly, she hath trespassed against her own husband; and thirdly, she hath played the whore in adultery, and brought children by another man. 24 She shall be brought out into the congregation, and inquisition shall be made of her children.

If they happened to have children in the scenario, DNA test would be required to confirm which children, if any belongs to her husband.

Ecclesiasticus 23:25

Her children shall not take root, and her branches shall bring forth no fruit.

Her children born of fornication with another man, would not be his responsibility as they are her children to take care of and nurture. It would be work for the woman to come to repentance and lead her house in the right way after such a scenario, yet with Alahayim all things are possible so she can do the works of the faith going forward and receive healing for herself and her children if the Lord wills. Yet if she continues in her fornication, she would be responsible for her works with Alahayim:

Ecclesiasticus 23:26

She shall leave her memory to be cursed, and her reproach shall not be blotted out. 27 And they that remain shall know that there is nothing better than the fear of the Lord, and that there is nothing sweeter than to take heed unto the commandments of the Lord.

Now on the other hand, if the man who took the virgin for a wife is reproaching her falsely, and it be found out, he shall be penalized and he can’t put her away all his days for his dishonest dealings in an attempt to put her away.

Deuteronomy 22:13-19

If any man take a wife, and go in unto her, and hate her, 14 And give occasions of speech against her, and bring up an evil name upon her, and say, I took this woman, and when I came to her, I found her not a maid: 15 Then shall the father of the damsel, and her mother, take and bring forth the tokens of the damsel's virginity unto the elders of the city in the gate: 16 And the damsel's father shall say unto the elders, I gave my daughter unto this man to wife, and he hateth her; 17 And, lo, he hath given occasions of speech against her, saying, I found not thy daughter a maid; and yet these are the tokens of my daughter's virginity. And they shall spread the cloth before the elders of the city. 18 And the elders of that city shall take that man and chastise him; 19 And they shall amerce him in an hundred shekels of silver, and give them unto the father of the damsel, because he hath brought up an evil name upon a virgin of Israel: and she shall be his wife; he may not put her away all his days.

So if a woman has dealt deceitfully before being given in marriage to get impregnated beforehand, she may be put away without requirement to take her back. Also, if a wife play the whore in adultery and get impregnated by another man, she may be put away without requirement to take her back. Also, if a man deals deceitfully to bear false witness against a woman he's taken in marriage to say she is not a maid because she is already defiled and pregnant by another, he may not put her away all his days if he is found to be slandering her.

Divorce for Wives of War

During war campaigns in the name of Ahayah, the endeavor is for peace:

Deuteronomy 20:10-11

When thou comest nigh unto a city to fight against it, then proclaim peace unto it. 11 And it shall be, if it make thee answer of peace, and open unto thee, then it shall be, that all the people that is found therein shall be tributaries unto thee, and they shall serve thee.

If a city won’t make terms of peace to avoid war, it is to be besieged and the males are to be slain leaving the fatherless daughters and virgin women to be taken captive in hopes they convert to serve Alahayim

Deuteronomy 20:12-14

And if it will make no peace with thee, but will make war against thee, then thou shalt besiege it: 13 And when Ahayah thy Alahayim hath delivered it into thine hands, thou shalt smite every male thereof with the edge of the sword: 14 But the women, and the little ones, and the cattle, and all that is in the city, even all the spoil thereof, shalt thou take unto thyself; and thou shalt eat the spoil of thine enemies, which Ahayah thy Alahayim hath given thee.

Moses confirms the males and women that aren’t virgins are to be slain leaving only virgin women and little daughters to be raised up amongst the Hebrews to learn the ways of Alahayim

Numbers 31:17-18

Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him. 18 But all the women children, that have not known a man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves.

In these instances, if there is a woman a Hebrew male desires to marry in hopes of converting her for her salvation under a believing husband, he may do so if she be willing:

Deuteronomy 21:10-13

When thou goest forth to war against thine enemies, and Ahayah thy Alahayim hath delivered them into thine hands, and thou hast taken them captive, 11 And seest among the captives a beautiful woman, and hast a desire unto her, that thou wouldest have her to thy wife; 12 Then thou shalt bring her home to thine house;

If she agrees to marry the Hebrew man, she must go through the following process of her own volition in order to be eligible for marriage unto him:

and she shall shave her head, and pare her nails; 13 And she shall put the raiment of her captivity from off her, and shall remain in thine house, and bewail her father and her mother a full month: and after that thou shalt go in unto her, and be her husband, and she shall be thy wife.

After going through this process, he may marry her after she has shown she is willing to be his wife by completing the process necessary. When he goes in unto her, she in now called by his name as his wife:

Deuteronomy 21:14

And it shall be, if thou have no delight in her, then thou shalt let her go whither she will; but thou shalt not sell her at all for money, thou shalt not make merchandise of her, because thou hast humbled her.

If the relationship isn’t working out by evidence of her showing she isn’t pleased to dwell with him by evidence of her works in fornication that would cause him not to delight in her, she may depart from his house to go whithersoever she chooses freely:

Deuteronomy 24:2

And when she is departed out of his house, she may go and be another man's wife.

After leaving, she may remain unmarried or remarry to another if she chooses. If she doesn’t go commit fornication with another or remarry to another man, she has an opportunity to repent and be reconciled to her husband for her salvation:

1 Corinthians 7:11, 16

But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband…16 ...how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?

If she humbles herself to return to be reconciled unto him after remaining unmarried without fornicating, he must receive her back for her opportunity of repentance. If he happened to have taken another wife while she abided single, they would need to be in agreement to bring her back into his house as they all can’t walk together except they he agreed:

Amos 3:3

Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

In this scenario, if she is returned unto her husband and goes back into fornication unrepentantly he may put her away for her uncleanness and is not required to receive her back again unless the Lord wills as He is who gives healing and has authority in all these things. On the other hand, if she remarries to another man at any point, she may not return to her first husband under any circumstances lest the land be defiled:

Deuteronomy 24:2-4

And when she is departed out of his house, she may go and be another man's wife. 3 And if the latter husband hate her, and write her a bill of divorcement, and giveth it in her hand, and sendeth her out of his house; or if the latter husband die, which took her to be his wife; 4 Her former husband, which sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that is abomination before Ahayah: and thou shalt not cause the land to sin, which Ahayah thy Alahayim giveth thee for an inheritance.

Divorce for Maid-Wives

Exo 21:7-8

And if a man sell his daughter to be a maidservant, she shall not go out as the menservants do. 8 If she please not her master, who hath betrothed her to himself, then shall he let her be redeemed: to sell her unto a strange nation he shall have no power, seeing he hath dealt deceitfully with her.

If the man gets engaged unto her by purchasing her unto himself (but doesn't sleep with her to make her his wife called by his name) and he isn't pleased with her, she may be redeemed by her family to return unto them for an agreed price as she was not slept with and the man didn't fulfill what he had agreed to do with her when purchasing her to be his maid-wife. In this instance she is free to be another man's wife after being redeemed. On the other hand, if he does marry her that she may be called by his name and takes on another wife in addition to her or has another wife already, the grounds for separation changes.

Exo 21:10-11

If he take him another wife; her food, her raiment, and her duty of marriage, shall he not diminish. 11 And if he do not these three unto her, then shall she go out free without money.

The woman is free to leave him if he doesn't provide for her as he ought to which shows he is an unbeliever who is not pleased to dwell with her, so she may put him away for his adultery in doing things like unto the heathen (an infidel) in not taking care of her. [I Co 7:39]

1 Timothy 5:8

But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

In this scenario she is free leave without money and return to her family. If he was an unbeliever, she may also get remarried in the Lord as her grounds for leaving him was for his adultery by doing things like unto the heathen. If he was a believer, she has to abide alone (with her family or living on her own) for the duration of his one opportunity of repentance to be reconciled unto her. If they are reconciled and he goes back into fornication, she may freely leave him and be given in marriage to another if the Lord wills as there is but one opportunity of repentance for the servants of Alahayim.

A Testimony of the Laws on Divorce

from an Unbeliever

Let's look at how Abraham instructed Ishmael to lawfully divorce his unbelieving wife after uncleanness was found in her which didn't please her husband and gave him legal grounds to remarry another woman lawfully:

Jasher 21:17

17. And he and his mother afterward went to the land of Egypt, and they dwelt there, and Hagar took a wife for her son from Egypt, and her name was Meribah.

She was an unbeliever from amongst the Egyptians. Unfortunately, he took this wife without the counsel of his father which wasn't expedient. None the less, they were married and had children. After some time, Abraham went to see Ishmael:

Jasher 21:24-28

24. And Abraham went to the wilderness, and he reached the tent of Ishmael about noon, and he asked after Ishmael, and he found the wife of Ishmael sitting in the tent with her children, and Ishmael her husband and his mother were not with them. 25. And Abraham asked the wife of Ishmael, saying, where has Ishmael gone? And she said, he has gone to the field to hunt, and Abraham was still mounted upon the camel, for he would not get off to the ground as he had sworn to his wife Sarah that he would not get off from the camel. 26. And Abraham said to Ishmael's wife, my daughter give me a little water that I may drink, for I am fatigued from the journey. 27. And Ishmael's wife answered and said to Abraham, we have neither water nor bread, and she continued sitting in the tent and did not notice Abraham, neither did she ask him who he was. 28. But she was beating her children in the tent, and she was cursing them, and she also cursed her husband Ishmael and reproached him, and Abraham heard the words of Ishmael's wife to her children, and he was very angry and displeased.

She was full of anger, impudence, and much reproach as the scriptures explained a woman in uncleanness would be. Her boldness angered her father in law and her husband. This is grounds for divorce with her, which Abraham communicated with wisdom to her husband:

Jasher 21:29-32

29. And Abraham called to the woman to come out to him from the tent, and the woman came and stood opposite to Abraham, for Abraham was still mounted upon the camel. 30. And Abraham said to Ishmael's wife, when thy husband Ishmael returneth home say these words to him: 31. A very old man from the land of the Philistines came hither to seek thee, and thus was his appearance and figure; I did not ask him who he was, and seeing thou wast not here he spoke unto me and said, when Ishmael thy husband returneth tell him thus did this man say, when thou comest home put away this nail of the tent which thou hast placed here, and place another nail in its stead. 32. And Abraham finished his instructions to the woman, and he turned and went off on the camel homeward.

He instructed Ishmael to divorce his wife (nail) and take another wife (nail) because of her uncleanness:

Jasher 21:33-36

33. And after that Ishmael come from the chase, he and his mother, and returned to the tent, and his wife spoke these words to him: 34. A very old man from the land of the Philistines came to seek thee, and thus was his appearance and figure; I did not ask him who he was, and seeing thou wast not at home he said to me, when thy husband cometh home tell him, thus saith the old man, put away the nail of the tent which thou hast placed here and place another nail in its stead. 35. And Ishmael heard the words of his wife, and he knew that it was his father, and that his wife did not honor him.

Ishmael understood she didn’t honor his father knowing how she operated from his own experiences so it was no marvel to him what she had done in her impudence.

36. And Ishmael understood his father's words that he had spoken to his wife, and Ishmael hearkened to the voice of his father, and Ishmael cast off that woman and she went away.

She was evidently not going the way Ishmael would have her and her father in law bare witness to her unchanging behavior. In this scenario, with counsel, Ishmael put her away because of her uncleanness (fornication) as her pride lead to both her father and husband not being pleased with her dishonoring them:

Ecclesiasticus 26:26

A woman that honoureth her husband shall be judged wise of all; but she that dishonoureth him in her pride shall be counted unholy of all.

Ecclesiasticus 22:5

She that is bold dishonoureth both her father and her husband, but they both shall despise her.

Scriptures confirm her ill dealings toward her husband which caused him not to be pleased with her:

Jasher 25:17

17.…she had been very bad in the sight of Ishmael, and in the sight of his father Abraham

Having divorced her lawfully for fornication, Ishmael was free to lawfully remarry without abiding alone for the sake of Meribah’s repentance. This time, he is taking a wife according to his father's counsel and things will work out better after doing things in a seemly manner according to the testimonies.

Jasher 21:37

37. And Ishmael afterward went to the land of Canaan, and he took another wife and he brought her to his tent to the place where he then dwelt.

Unfortunately, Meribah (aka Ribah) didn’t repent and return to her husband after being put away for her uncleanness:

Jasher 25:17

And Ishmael cast away his wife Ribah, and she went from him and returned to Egypt to the house of her father, and she dwelt there.

Jasher 21:38.

And at the end of three years Abraham said, I will go again and see Ishmael my son, for I have not seen him for a long time. 39. And he rode upon his camel and went to the wilderness, and he reached the tent of Ishmael about noon. 40. And he asked after Ishmael, and his wife came out of the tent and she said, he is not here my lord, for he has gone to hunt in the fields, and to feed the camels, and the woman said to Abraham, turn in my lord into the tent and eat a morsel of bread, for thy soul must be wearied on account of the journey. 41. And Abraham said to her, I will not stop for I am in haste to continue my journey, but give me a little water to drink, for I have thirst; and the woman hastened and ran into the tent and she brought out water and bread to Abraham, which she placed before him and she urged him to eat, and he ate and drank and his heart was comforted and he blessed his son Ishmael. 42. And he finished his meal and he blessed Ahayah, and he said to Ishmael's wife, when Ishmael cometh home say these words to him: 43. A very old man from the land of the Philistines came hither and asked after thee, and thou wast not here, and I brought him out bread and water and he ate and drank and his heart was comforted. 44. And he spoke these words to me: When Ishmael thy husband cometh home, say unto him, the nail of the tent which thou hast is very good, do not put it away from the tent. 45a. And Abraham finished commanding the woman, and he rode off to his home to the land of the Philistines.45b. When Ishmael came to his tent, his wife went forth to meet him with joy and a cheerful heart. 46. And she said to him: An old man came here from the land of the Philistines and thus was his appearance. And he asked after thee and thou wast not here, so I brought out bread and water, and he ate and drank and his heart was comforted. 47. And he spoke these words: When Ishmael thy husband cometh home, say to him, the nail of the tent which thou hast is very good, do not put it away from the tent. 48. And Ishmael knew it was his father, and that his wife had honored him, and Ahayah blessed Ishmael

We get to see things turn around when a man does things in their proper order for marriage and an example of a good woman who one ought not to depart from as she is pleased to dwell with you. This is an example of a man being married to an unbeliever who is in fornication which is grounds for lawful divorce and remarrying to a upright woman lawfully with proper counsel. The scenario is different if his first wife was a believer as was the case for Abraham and Hagar, which we will look at as well.

A Testimony of the Laws on Divorce

from a Believer

Let's look at the testimonies to see how Abraham upheld the law when it comes to only marrying a believing wife, taking another wife in agreement with his first wife, and divorcing his second faithful wife who was detected in fornication while remaining married to his first wife but not remarrying for the sake of his second wife's one opportunity of repentance from her fornication so as not to commit adultery against her. Starting from the onset, Abram lawfully married his first wife, Sarai:

Jasher 12:44

And at that time Nahor and Abram took unto themselves wives, the daughters of their brother Haran; the wife of Nahor was Milca and the name of Abram's wife was Sarai.

After marrying his first wife, Hagar was given as a handmaid to Sarah in his house by her father, the king of Egypt, so he was consenting unto Abram having her in his household.

Jasher 15:31-32

And the king took a maiden whom he begat by his maid-wives, and he gave her to Sarai for a hand maid. 32. And the king said to his daughter, it is better for thee my daughter to be a handmaid in this man's house than to be a mistress in my house, after we have beheld the evil that befell us on account of this woman.

In her time in Abram's house, she was upright having learned the ways of Sarai her mistress:

Jasher 16:25

For Hagar learned all the ways of Sarai as Sarai taught her, she was not in any way deficient in following her good ways.

So both Sarai and Hagar were believing women. For uprightness in the desire for children, Abram and Sarai agreed for him to take Hagar as a second wife which was lawful to do since no one was divorced unlawfully before taking Hagar as a wife:

Jasher 16:23-24, 26

And Sarai the daughter of Haran, Abram's wife, was still barren in those days, she did not bear to Abram either son or daughter. 24. And when she saw that she bare no children she took her handmaid Hagar, whom Pharaoh had given her, and she gave her to Abram her husband for a wife. 26. And Sarai said to Abram, behold here is my handmaid Hagar, go to her that she may bring forth upon my knees, that I may also obtain children through her.

Gen 16:3

And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife.

He now has two wives at this point in his life. No adultery has been committed because he did not divorce Sarai (at all nor unlawfully) before marrying Hagar. He stayed married to Sarai and in agreement with her, he took on another wife, not for lust, but uprightly. He didn't cut his first wife off from his flesh to deal treacherously against her because Alahayim joined them together as one flesh. Now he and his second wife are also joined together as one flesh. Unfortunately, Hagar, who was faithful in the Lord, would fall into fornication (uncleanness) being lifted up in pride which would lead to her being put away after she wouldn't repent of it:

Jasher 16:28-29

And Abram hearkened to the voice of his wife Sarai, and he took his handmaid Hagar and Abram came to her

and she conceived. 29. And when Hagar saw that she had conceived she rejoiced greatly, and her mistress was despised in her eyes, and she said within herself, this can only be that I am better before Alahayim than Sarai my mistress, for all the days that my mistress has been with my lord, she did not conceive, but me the Lord has

caused in so short a time to conceive by him.

Hagar thought she was better than Sarai in her pride, which lead to contention in the household as she would no longer submit to her mistress in her arrogance towards her.

Genesis 16:4-5

And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes. 5 And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon thee: I have given my maid into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: the Lord judge between me and thee.

Hagar had departed from taking accountability to submit to her mistress, although returning to her husband, yet she didn't humble herself to let go of her pride towards her mistress as she was counseled to do by the Angel of Ahayah himself:

Gen 16:6

But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid is in thy hand; do to her as it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her face.

Though she had some growing to do in the experience, Sarai was trying to hold Hagar accountable yet Hagar wasn't taking accountability to humble herself under Sarai as was upright to do as a servant in the faith. Ahayah's angel, Yache, counseled her on what to do for her benefit in the situation:

Genesis 16:7-11

And the angel of Ahayah found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur. 8 And he said, Hagar, Sarai's maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai. 9 And the angel of Ahayah said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands. 10 And the angel of Ahayah said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude. 11 And the angel of Ahayah said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the Lord hath heard thy affliction.

The simplicity as a servant in the faith was to humble herself and submit to her mistress which would have helped things go well in the household.

Jasher 16:36

And Hagar at that time returned to her master's house, and at the end of days Hagar bare a son to Abram, and Abram called his name Ishmael

Unfortunately, she continued in her pride as she returned to Abram her master, yet she didn't submit herself to her mistress. This can be seen in the fact that Ishmael contended with Issac and sought to kill him because of the spirits that was operating in Hagar towards Sarai. That pride ended up getting her put away by her husband because of her uncleanness:

Jasher 21:11

And Ishmael the son of Abraham was grown up in those days; he was fourteen years old when Sarah bare Isaac to Abraham. 12. And Alahayim was with Ishmael the son of Abraham, and he grew up and he learned the use of the bow and became an archer. 13. And when Isaac was five years old, he was sitting with Ishmael at the door of the tent. 14. And Ishmael came to Isaac and seated himself opposite to him, and he took the bow and drew it and put the arrow in it, and intended to slay Isaac. 15. And Sarah saw the act which Ishmael desired to do to her son Isaac, and it grieved her exceedingly on account of her son, and she sent for Abraham and said to him, cast out this bondwoman and her son, for her son shall not be heir with my son, for thus did he seek to do unto him this day.

Gen 21:10-11

Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac. 11 And the thing was very grievous in Abraham's sight because of his son.

Abraham waited on Alahayim's counsel to ensure he did what was right in regards to his wife Hagar who was detected in fornication so as not to do things without counsel:

Gen 21:12

And Alahayim said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called.

Having Alahayim's counsel, he put Hagar away for the sake of her repentance lest by remaining with her he be a partaker in her adultery:

Gen 21:14

And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba.

Unfortunately Hagar didn't show any repentance when being sent away. The law showed Abraham cannot re-marry to a new woman for the duration of Hagar's one opportunity of repentance since Hagar was a faithful woman who was detected fornication. [Hermas Mandate 4] This means Abraham has to abide alone with Sarah his first wife without taking another wife for the duration of Hagar's one opportunity of repentance. As for Hagar, she has one opportunity of repentance to return unto Abraham. She can remain unmarried in pride or humble herself and be reconciled unto her husband. [I Co 7:11] Yet if she remarries to another man, she has committed adultery against Abraham because he didn't sin against her while awaiting her repentance by remaining with Sarai only and not taking another wife in hopes of her repentance. In this instance of remarrying to another man in adultery, Hagar wouldn't be able to be reconciled to Abraham her first husband lest the land be defiled [Duet 24:1-4] Also, during Hagar's opportunity of repentance, if while Hagar remains unmarried, Abraham takes another wife in addition to Sarah, he will be committing adultery against Hagar because he was to abide alone with Sarah only for the sake of Hagar's opportunity of repentance. [Hermas Mandate 4] Since Abraham and Hagar were believers, they had to abide without remarrying for the sake of the one opportunity of repentance. In continuation of the series of events according to the testimonies, Hagar chose to abide alone for the duration of her opportunity of repentance by never remarrying or seeking reconciliation with her husband. For this reason, Abraham did not re-marry during the life of Hagar as it was unlawful to do for the duration of her opportunity of repentance. As for Sarah, she was Abram's wife beforehand, so he didn’t break any law by remaining married to her. Once Hagar died, it was lawful for Abraham to remarry in the Lord as a widower is loosed from the law of their spouse when they be dead, so that they may marry another and be no adulterer. Now, let us see if Abraham broke the law by getting another wife while Hagar was put away to commit adultery against her:

Jubilee 19:11

And Abraham took to himself a third wife, and her name was Keturah, from among the daughters of his household servants, for Hagar had died before Sarah.

Abraham only re-married because Sarah had died and Hagar had died before Sarah, so he was free by law to marry again since they were dead. In regards to the opportunity of repentance for Hagar, Abraham remained alone (with Sarah his first wife) for the duration of Hagar's one opportunity of repentance as she was once faithful which required that opportunity be given to her. She didn't choose to repent unfortunately and died in her un-repentance. Her death made it lawful for Abraham to remarry in the Lord to his third wife, Keturah. In conclusion, He married his two wives uprightly, not for lust. He didn't commit adultery by divorcing one unlawfully and marrying the other. He divorced Hagar on lawful grounds of fornication. He didn't commit adultery against Hagar for the duration of her one opportunity of repentance as a believer according to the law. After Hagar didn't take advantage of her opportunity and died in her uncleanness abiding alone, Abraham was loosed from that marriage and took a third wife lawfully named Keturah after Sarah had died as well. All this is an example of how a believer can have multiple wives so long as they are in the Lord as he is and it's done in proper order. This is also an example of how a believer would bring accountability with one another if either one of them is detected in adultery unrepentantly by putting the fornicator away and abiding alone for their one opportunity of repentance in hopes they'll be reconciled. This was also example of how a widower is free to remarry in the Lord after their spouse is dead according to the law.

A Testimony of the Laws on Divorce

Dealing with Fornication in Marriage

Understanding the law and proper grounds for divorce, let’s look at the process that leads up to divorce and the options after a divorce in relationships between believers. Based on Jeremiah 3:1-14 looking at Alahayim’s righteous dealings with two faithful wives for examination, when a spouse who is faithful in the Lord is in the spirit of fornication (uncleanness), {Jer 3:1-6} one has to speak to them about it {Jer 3:7} and if they refuse to turn from it {Hermas Mandate 4} and are not ashamed in their pride {Sir 22:5; 26:26} or try to maintain you by their manipulation in their anger or any other spirit to deceive, {Sir 25:22} though they aren’t changing by their pattern of works {Sir 19:26-28} when you examine their actions in comparison to their words to know the truth of things. {1Sa 2:3} Put them away and give them a bill of divorce. {Jer 3:8} After divorcing them, encourage them to return mercifully and your hopes for them to acknowledge their iniquity and transgressions and submit to your guidance from Alahayim (as Alahayim did in the case of the wife in adultery towards him). {Jer 3:12-14} The unfaithful wife that is put away for fornication has one opportunity of repentance to return if she abides unmarried and desires to return unto her husband. {1Co 7:11, 16; Hermas Mandate 4} If she doesn’t marry another man after she was put away and given a bill of divorce, this is possible to reconcile. On the other hand, if while the unfaithful wife is put away and given a bill of divorce, she marries someone else in her fornication, she is now an unbeliever and she cannot return unto her former spouse lest the land be greatly polluted {Jer 3:1; Deut 24:4} as we cannot be unequally yoked with unbelievers. {II Co 6:14}

Now examining through the testimonies, the sisters, Israel and Judah, were faithful before falling into fornication against their husband, Ahayah, so let’s see what he ought to do when he notices uncleanness in any of them by detecting them in adultery (sinning):

Hermas Mandate 4

Looking at Jeremiah 3, Ahayah is the faithful man, his two wives that were faithful are Israel and Judah.

Hermas Mandate 4

He notices Israel is in fornication and he examines her works to see the patterns to confirm what he is experiencing before having a conversation with her:

Jeremiah 3:2

Lift up thine eyes unto the high places, and see where thou hast not been lien with. In the ways hast thou sat for them, as the Arabian in the wilderness; and thou hast polluted the land with thy whoredoms and with thy wickedness.

Psalms 50:21

These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such a one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.

He paid attention to his wife Israel's patterns in long-suffering then when enough information was gathered through experience, he had a conversation to set her works before her in hopes she'd repent in humility.

Jeremiah 3:3

Therefore the showers have been withholden, and there hath been no latter rain; and thou hadst a whore's forehead, thou refusedst to be ashamed.

Unfortunately, the wife, Israel, isn’t humbling herself, though her unfruitful works are being raised as concerns for her to consider and repent of. She is operating in her pride dishonoring her husband and is not ashamed (as fornication isn’t ashamed to sin when operating in a soul).

Jeremiah 3:4-5

Wilt thou not from this time cry unto me, My father, thou art the guide of my youth? 5 Will he reserve his anger for ever? will he keep it to the end? Behold, thou hast spoken and done evil things as thou couldest.

Her husband is desiring her to repent after addressing her works, yet he sees her pride unashamed to continue in her uncleanness (fornication).

Jeremiah 3:6

Ahayah said also unto me in the days of Josiah the king, Hast thou seen that which backsliding Israel hath done? she is gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there hath played the harlot.

He took counsel with a witness regarding his wife’s dealings as she wouldn’t hearken to him.

Jeremiah 3:7

And I said after she had done all these things, Turn thou unto me. But she returned not. And her treacherous sister Judah saw it.

He noticed that, not only is his first wife unrepentant after his conversation with her and with a witness, but he also is noticing the treacherous dealings of his other wife Judah wherein she wasn't steadfast in righteousness to perserve modesty after witnessing the dealings of her sister, by taking pleasure in the works of the evil spirits working in her sister.

Jeremiah 3:8

And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; …

Due to Israel being detected in fornication and it was addressed with her and she didn’t repent in her pride even though her husband took counsel with a witness (sending his prophets) in hopes she would repent, he had to put her away and give her a bill of divorce, so as not to be a partaker in her adultery against him by remaining with her, so he sent her out of his house. This is why the Northern Kingdom (10 tribes) were removed out of the land of the Hebrews. {II Ki 17} Unfortunately, the wife he remained with after divorcing Israel, dealt unfaithfully as well though she saw what happened to Israel (as Fornication leads to a heightened sense of self in idolatry so as not to reverence any man or to be daunted with fear in the arrogance she teaches):

Jeremiah 3:8

…yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also.

Through the experiences, now Ahayah sees his other wife is struggling with fornication too, by evidence of no fear (reverence) for her husband to keep herself from indulging in her evil pleasures whether in thought or act. The only difference is, Judah dealt treacherously, so she would do well for a time and then fall into fornication at others, having an instability in righteousness to be steadfast. As oppose to Israel who dealt in fornication outright in her pride without shame to humble herself.

Jeremiah 3:9

And it came to pass through the lightness of her whoredom, that she defiled the land, and committed adultery with stones and with stocks.

Now he is paying attention in long-suffering to Judah’s pattern of works to see what she will do, as he is detecting her in adultery too due to her inconsistency in reverence:

Jeremiah 3:10

And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah hath not turned unto me with her whole heart, but feignedly, saith Ahayah.

He sees Judah's instability in righteousness, not turning wholeheartedly. He notices she is dealing treacherously in deceit by feigning herself as his faithful wife but is truly half-hearted wherein she puts on a show love-bombing him with sacrifices and if she is ever caught she's weeping in deceit {Mal 2:11-13} but in secret when she thinks he cannot see or is unaware, she does evil { Sir 19:26-28} because evil is still present in here heart, as she is still cleaved to her lusts in the idols of her heart which aid her in lawlessness (or self-will) despising Him and His law by the spirits of Wrath, Hatred, and Fornication at work. {Mal 2:11, 16; Eze 4:3-5; 20:16}

Jeremiah 3:11

And Ahayah said unto me, The backsliding Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah.

Ahayah took counsel on the works of Judah as well. Judah didn’t get put away, as she was struggling, but not enough to get lifted up to sin without shame against her husband, as she would confess her iniquities, yet struggled to come out of them altogether as her heart wasn't entirely towards Him always.

(Side Note: This lukewarm dealing eventually turn to arrogance like Israel and get Judah put away as well out of the land just like Israel).[Isa 50:1]

In an attempt to reconcile his family in mercy, he entreats Israel to repent and return unto him, her husband, by confessing her works in honesty showing she truly repents:

Jeremiah 3:12-13

Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith Ahayah; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith Ahayah, and I will not keep anger for ever. 13 Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against Ahayah thy Alahayim, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith Ahayah.

He relays to Judah as well, her works need to be whole hearted in hopes of things getting better with her too, so as not to have to put her away.

Jeremiah 3:14

Turn, O backsliding children, saith Ahayah; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:

Thankfully Judah (after being admonished for her half hearted works) and Israel (going through the experience of being put away to learn to value her husband) both repented and returned whole heartedly to their husband to be healed of their backslidings by submitting under their husband's rule over them to obey his voice and go after his mind in the Law.

Jeremiah 3:22

Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto thee; for thou art Alahayim our Alahayim.

Alahayim's patience with Judah and holding her accountable to address her works with a counselor lead to her whole hearted conversion. Also, it was possible for Israel to return unto her husband because, though she was in fornication, she did not depart and go become another man’s wife. If she had been another man’s wife, she could not have returned to her husband lest the land be defiled:

Jeremiah 3:1

They say, If a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another man's, shall he return unto her again? shall not that land be greatly polluted? but thou hast played the harlot with many lovers; yet return again to me, saith Ahayah.

As is seen, being divorced for fornication, but not remarrying to another man still left the one opportunity for reconciliation with her husband for a believing woman. Seeing that he remained alone without taking another wife (aside from the wife he already has in multiple wife families) according to the law for marriage between believers. If it wasn’t a believing woman who was put away, an unbelieving woman also has an opportunity of repentance if she is put away. The only difference is her husband who put her away doesn’t have to remain unmarried during her opportunity. Yet and still, if the unbelieving woman happens to go marry another man, she cannot return unto her first husband either.

Please continue to "Are Multiple Wives Righteous?" to Complete the edification on Marriage

Are Multiple Wives Righteous?

https://www.hebrewreaders.com/are-multiple-wives-righteous