You may not be aware of it, but in pop culture the biggest piece of news is the impending divorce of Jon and Kate Gosselin. The Gosselin family resides in Pennsylvania, and the two with their 8 children (one set of 8 year old twins, and one set of 5 year old sextuplets) are the subject of a very successful reality TV series, Jon and Kate Plus 8.
The series has been on television since January of 2007, and is widely viewed. Until recently the show revolved around the children, and the challenges of raising such a large and young family. However, the Gosselin’s marital problems have dominated reports in the entertainment media, and have been dealt with in the most recent episodes of the television show, which airs on TLC.
In the last episode, the two revealed that they will be separating, and divorce papers were filed on June 22, 2009. In an article on TODAYSHOW.com, written by Mike Celizic, their marital problems are discussed:
The Gosselins’ marriage has been headed for the rocks very publicly for a long time. For years, fans of the show have talked about how bossy Kate was.
The final blow hit earlier this year when Jon was photographed partying with a young woman, and rumors that he had cheated on Kate hit the tabloids. Allegations that she, too, was unfaithful — with her bodyguard — quickly followed.
Their situation, though public, is not unlike that of may couples who are struggling to make marriage work. Unfortunately, their public statements regarding their impending divorce are likewise typical.
For example, Kate Gosselin said, “I’m tired of smiling on the outside and crying on the inside.” She added, “I just need relief now, I need to turn the page.”
Jon Gosselin’s sentiments mirror that of his estranged wife, saying, “I don’t hate Kate … but I have to do what’s best for me and my kids.”
Herein lies the problem — it is not what is best for him, her or the kids. The two of them are acting immaturely and selfishly, and acting in extremely destructive ways, despite their protestations to the contrary.
In Malachi 2:14, the Lord severely admonished the Israelites for the sin of divorce. Why was He so angry? “Because the LORD has been witness Between you and the wife of your youth, With whom you have dealt treacherously; yet she is your companion and your wife by covenant.”
Marriage is a covenant not only between a man and a woman, but between said couple and the Almighty God of heaven. Even in acknowledging the severe nature of their problems, their remarks indicate that they do not understand the permanent nature of the marriage relationship. The very fact that they have acted in such egregiously selfish and immoral ways show that they have no understanding of the covenant of marriage.
Brethren, this is the society in which we live. We must be diligent to teach our children the sanctity of the marriage bond, and that to destroy that marriage either through infidelity or unlawful divorce is sin before God. “For the LORD 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 2:16).
