Note 15 at Mk. 10:9: Jesus did not say man could not put asunder marriage (divorce and remarry) in the sense that it was impossible, but that he should not destroy a union that God had intended to be permanent. We must always remember that God hates divorce (Mal. 2:16) because it hurts people. It is basically an act of destruction and violence. It hurts everyone--partners, children, family, and friends. Malachi calls it dealing "treacherously" with "thy companion" (Mal. 2:14), and a "man's covering himself with violence" (Mal. 2:16 [NIV]). Proverbs speaks of the wayward wife as one who has left the partner of her youth and forgotten the covenant of her God (Prov. 2:17). We must remember that divorce frustrates God's original design and adulterates marriage. There is no prescribed punishment for man destroying this one-flesh relationship, but taken in context, it is certain that God hates divorce (Mal. 2:16) and there will certainly be an accounting for those who stand before God at the great white throne of judgment (Rev. 20:11-15). Anyone who is guilty of putting asunder what God has joined together needs to receive the forgiveness that is found through Jesus.