Let’s just say at the outset, God is not bound by the Law. It says in Timothy that the Law exists for the immature, because they do not know how to love Him and one another.
Also laws are for man, not God. Yes, they are the overflow of his goodness and holiness, and because of that God knows the purpose and intent of the Law. If someone tells their children they need to brush their teeth twice a day, if mom is exhausted one night and doesn’t, has she broken the law? No. Because the purpose of the law is to train her kid how to love and care for himself/herself.
That being said, let’s dive in.
The sins of Israel had gone on for so long and were so evil, that God finally had to do something. He allowed Assyria to come in and defeat her and take her into exile. The Scripture say in a sense a “certificate of divorce.” Yet he was willing to take her back?
Here’s the rub. In the opening of the chapter there is the verse that alludes to one of the Laws.
In verse 1 of this chapter it states, “If a man divorces his wife and she leaves him to marry another, can he ever return to her? Wouldn’t such a land become totally defiled?” (v. 1).
This is referencing Deut 24:1-4:
“If a man marries a woman, but she becomes displeasing to him because he finds something improper about her, he may write her a divorce certificate, hand it to her, and send her away from his house. 2 If after leaving his house she goes and becomes another man’s wife, 3 and the second man hates her, writes her a divorce certificate, hands it to her, and sends her away from his house or if he dies, 4 the first husband who sent her away may not marry her again after she has been defiled, because that would be detestable to the Lord. You must not bring guilt on the land the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance.”
The covenant the Lord has with Israel is a spiritual one. And his love is so great he is willing to take her back even after she has defiled herself.
Some say that this the certificate of divorce is a figurative one. This supported by the nature of covenant and that even when we are faithless, God is faithful (2 Tim 2:13).
Others say that God put mercy and love over law. This is supported by the fact the he says “mercy triumphs over judgment” (Jms 2:13). Furthermore that Israel’s repentance would lead to God’s forgiveness because of the goodness of God, and ultimately the forgiveness that would come through Jesus Christ.
What do I think? I am more inclined to both. That there is a figurative element in here that he had to separate from Israel. But his love and mercy took her book when she repented.
But what about verse 1? I think God was challenging Israel to think of the seriousness of their sin. They simply presumed God would take them back with little problem once he got over being angry (v. 5). But I’m wondering if God is challenging them here to realize just what he is doing. He doesn’t have to take them back. And he probably shouldn’t take them back. But out of His great love He is.
Now am I sure on that? Not exactly. But that’s where I’m leaning to.
