The issue of marital separation is so broad that the Lord instructs the wife not to separate from her husband. The same applies to man, created in the image and likeness of God, from whom the Lord formed the woman. The Most High knows better than anyone how much human beings depend on each other (Genesis 2.18-25). When a wife divorces from her husband, or vice versa, everyone around them suffers, and the reactions and consequences are disastrous.

         We have seen cases where a man becomes violent because his wife refuses to stay by his side. Women have the ability to stir up men's emotions, unlike when it is the man who ends the marriage. However frustrated and sad she may feel, she is unlikely to resort to violence.

           Let's consider again the order of the Almighty, the omniscient Being. He knows what can happen when a marriage breaks down abruptly, especially if it is for futile reasons. Not everyone manages to be meek and submissive like Moses: Now the man Moses was very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth (Numbers 12:3). To be meek means to bow before the sovereignty of the Most High. However, when Moses saw an Egyptian attacking an Israelite, he tried to defend him and killed the attacker (Exodus 2.11,12). God says: Cease from anger and forsake wrath; do not fret – it only causes harm (Psalm 37.8).

           Far be it from me to defend machismo; I'm just talking about what the Creator teaches us. In criminology, we are taught that men have virility, which does not mean sexual potency but an instinct to go on the attack when challenged. However, if many act insanely, they may regret it and cry. Sometimes the rational reaction comes too late for them because they can't bear to listen to a provocation.

           Often, when a tragedy or abandonment occurs, it is discovered that one of the spouses demanded something in exchange for intimacy. I once told a woman that she would lose her husband because she had gone on strike for over a month to get him to give her something she wanted. And the divorce came. Sometime later, she regretted being replaced for another woman.

           Let's forget any human thoughts, because what matters is living well before God and obeying His will. The Lord commanded that a wife should not separate from her husband, and vice versa, for He abhors divorce: Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth. For the LORD, the God of Israel says that He hates divorce, for it covers one’s garment with violence, says the LORD of hosts. Therefore take heed to your spirit that you do not deal treacherously (Malachi 2.15b,16).

           For marriages that are sick and stumbling, I remind you that, just as the power of God heals the sick body and frees the oppressed, it also heals wounded hearts, resolving any marital issue.

           In Christ, with love,

           R. R. Soares