So I'm just reading through parts of the bible and there were a couple parts that I didn't understand and I was hoping that somebody could help me clarify.

1. Reading Deuteronomy 24:1-4, what exactly is a certificate of divorce and could you please clarify that passage

2. Matthew 5:31 starting at that point, the bible starts to talk about divorce there as well. and I am wondering about that whole passage why if a man divorces his wife, why does she become an adulteress

3. Matthew 6:3-4 when the bible says "But when you give to the needy do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you "


Thanks a lot in advanced!

My personal interpretation of the third is that you should not flaunt your good deeds.

As to the other two, I'm not sure

In regards to Matthew 6:3-4.

When you go to put money in the collection box don't go around shouting at everybody that you are about to put $100 into the collection box. The relationship is between you and God, not between you and everybody else in the room at the time.

If you go around telling everyone how much YOU put into the box, your MOTIVE is for you to get the glory and NOT God. Remember that Good looks at the heart whilst man looks on the outside. You can be doing all the right things but for the wrong reasons.

It all comes down to storing treasures in Heaven. You will be rewarded in time if you keep it secret and give from the heart but if you tell everyone you have already received your reward which will last probably about 15 seconds - 2 minutes if that? Surely God's reward will be much greater than that.

For the first 2 -

Divorce is a sin no matter how you cut it. Even if your spouse commits adultery, divorce is a sin.

This sums it up nicely -



As far as the adulteress part (question 2), marriage is meant to be a lifelong commitment to your spouse. This includes the sexual relationship. When you divorce and have sex again (other than your original spouse) you're committing adultery since the sex you are having is not with your first spouse. Even if you remarry it is adultery because again, you are sinning against your first marriage. There is a lot of debate of whether it is an ongoing sin, or just 1 act of sin. Meaning, every time you have sex with your "new" spouse you are committing adultery against your past marriage. I tend to believe that it is a one time sin from the time you first have sex with your new spouse.

The other 2 responses answered question number 3 pretty well.

This post was edited by Dune1 on Jan 2 2012 04:13pm