Old Testament reading: Deuteronomy 24-25
“Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?” The Pharisees asked this of our Lord in Matthew 19:3. The ensuing exchange between them involves the opening lines of today’s reading. Deuteronomy 24:1-4 has been the source of much discussion and controversy, going all the way back to the days before Matthew 19. According to commentators, there were two prevailing views on this passage. The first, associated with Rabbi Hillel, interpreted the passage emphasizing “she finds no favor in his eyes,” and concluded that a man could divorce his wife for any reason (Matt 19:3). The second view, associated with Rabbi Shammai, interpreted the passage emphasizing “because he has found some uncleanness in her,” and concluded that only fornication permitted divorce. Shammai’s view is that given by Jesus in Matthew 19, but only after Jesus appealed to the Divine standard of Genesis 2 and gave His own exception (“but I say to you”). Given the disciples’ response to Jesus’ teaching, “If this is the case… it is better for a man not to marry” (v 10), indicates that Hillel’s view was not only the view of the Pharisees, but also that of the apostles. This view is also understood when one reads the condemnation of the Jews in Malachi 2:14-16.
New Testament reading: Ephesians 1-3
Are you in Christ? Today’s reading exalts the necessity and blessings of being “in Christ.” In chapter 1: all spiritual blessings are in Christ (v 3); we were chosen in Christ before the world began (v 4 – Note! This is not Calvinistic predestination!); Jesus is the medium through which we are adopted as the sons of God (v 5); we are the recipients of God’s grace and accepted in Christ (v 6); In Christ we have redemption through His blood and the forgiveness of sins (v 7); all things, that is, all men (both Jew and Gentile) are gathered together in Christ (v 10); in Christ we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to God’s purpose (v 11). There is only one way to get in Christ… see Galatians 3:27.
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