Does God forbid reconciliation if one spouse ran off with another person but later wants to return home?
Read Time: 2 min
One of the most amazing stories in all of Scripture is about a prophet named Hosea who married a woman of ill repute. She was unfaithful to her marriage vow many times, and God asked Hosea to take her back. I’m not suggesting that God commands every married person to take back a repentant spouse who has been unfaithful. Jesus clearly taught us that divorce was permissible when a partner has broken the marriage vow through adultery. Yet Hosea’s story does show us the incredible love and forgiveness that God extends to us.
There is no hard rule in the Bible that states you should never take back a repentant spouse who has been unfaithful. If such a spouse is deeply repentant and exhibits a changed life over a period of time, the other spouse, through much prayer and wise counsel, might consider coming back together with their unfaithful partner. There will be deep wounds to heal. Strong boundaries will need to be set in place. The offending partner should be understanding of the pain and distrust in their spouse.
A problem that can fester in the heart of any wounded person is bitterness. Whether a spouse takes back their unfaithful partner or not, God calls us to forgive others. Jesus said, “If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:14, 15). Forgiveness doesn’t mean you forget what happened or shove it under the carpet. But it does mean to let go of the desire to pay the other person back.
I have personally seen the power of forgiveness bring healing to marriages broken by unfaithfulness. It’s not an easy road to walk, but neither is a life of bitterness.
Key Bible Texts
Then said the LORD unto me, Go yet, love a woman beloved of her friend, yet an adulteress, according to the love of the LORD toward the children of Israel, who look to other gods, and love flagons of wine. (Hosea 3:1 KJV)