The Divorce Loophole, Ezra 10

 Malachi 2:14-16
14 You cry out, “Why doesn’t the LORD accept my worship?” I’ll tell you why! Because the LORD witnessed the vows you and your wife made when you were young. But you have been unfaithful to her, though she remained your faithful partner, the wife of your marriage vows.
15 Didn’t the Lord make you one with your wife? In body and spirit you are his. And what does he want? Godly children from your union. So guard your heart; remain loyal to the wife of your youth. 16 “For I hate divorce!” says the Lord, the God of Israel. “To divorce your wife is to overwhelm her with cruelty,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “So guard your heart; do not be unfaithful to your wife.”

Saints,

Only good thing about Ezra chapter 10 is verse 15.  Jonathan and Jahzeiah opposed this nonsense of divorce!  Depending on the circumstance maybe, then divorce is fine.  Maybe the husband or wife is a nut ... ground rules for hurrying out of the covenant.  There are simple guidelines for responsibility, where many don't have to be on the television show Dateline or The First 48 where you have all kinds of knuckleheads.

Ezra 10:2-3, 10-12, 15
Then Shecaniah son of Jehiel, a descendant of Elam, said to Ezra, “We have been unfaithful to our God, for we have married these pagan women of the land. But in spite of this there is hope for Israel. 3 Let us now make a covenant with our God to divorce our pagan wives and to send them away with their children. We will follow the advice given by you and by the others who respect the commands of our God. Let it be done according to the Law of God (read Deuteronomy 24:1 [loophole]).

10 Then Ezra the priest stood and said to them: “You have committed a terrible sin. By marrying pagan women, you have increased Israel’s guilt. 11 So now confess your sin to the Lord, the God of your ancestors, and do what he demands. Separate yourselves from the people of the land and from these pagan women.”  12 Then the whole assembly raised their voices and answered, “Yes, you are right; we must do as you say!” 

15 Only Jonathan son of Asahel and Jahzeiah son of Tikvah opposed this course of action, and they were supported by Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite.

In Closing,

If you're led to marry, be sure to be financially prepared for tomorrow. 

You cannot lean on anyone, but only this powerful BIBLE principle.

Ephesians 4:28
Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.