17 For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife; for he had married her. 18 Because John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” (Mark 6:17-18)
Read that again. It is undeniable that some marriages are not lawful in the sight of God. Herod and Herodias had married each other, but it was “not lawful” before God. You see, when they first met they already had spouses. They met, fell in love, schemed to divorce their mates and marry each other, which they did (Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, XVIII:V). John the baptizer condemned their adultery and eventually lost his head for it (Mk. 6:19-28). We must remember that God-ordained marriage is for life, and God does not hold guiltless those who separate what God joins together (Matt. 19:3-6). Honor marriage by honoring the will of Him who gave us marriage (Heb. 13:4).
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