Results 1 - 4 of 4
|
|
|||||
Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Why can't I have several wives? | Ex 21:10 | headdoc5 | 102311 | ||
In the old testiment polygamy was accepted and prevalent. When and why did this change? No one . . . even Biblical scholars can answer this for me. David and Solomon had many wives. why can't I? When did this change. God is not changable is he? Please advise! | ||||||
2 | Why can't I have several wives? | Ex 21:10 | Makarios | 102312 | ||
Greetings Headdoc5, The Bible always follows with negative consequences where polygamy is concerned. As King David's stature grew stronger and stronger (1 Sam. 3:1), his family life was headed for serious trouble. Each of David's six sons born at Hebron (1 Sam. 3:2-5) was born to a different wife, which was a common practice among ancient kings to strengthen their political ties, but voilated God's law (Deut. 17:17; Lev. 18:18). And it led to enormous problems, all to David's great regret (2 Sam. 13-18). Solomon's great widespread polygamy caused his heart to turn away from the Lord to idols (1 Kings 11:3), and the Lord judged him for that sin by dividing the kingdom after his death (1 Kings 11:9-13). Exodus 21:10 speaks of a man taking another woman as his wife, but Exodus 20:5 states that the sins of the parents would extend "to the third and fourth generations", as evidenced in David's and Solomon's polygamy. Exodus 21:10 is speaking of women in the context of slavery, being bought and purchased. If a man purchased a bride in this way, then he was to treat that bride with respect, or let the woman go free. This verse must be understood within this context, and cannot be used properly within this context to support polygamy, since this kind of slavery does not exist within our culture. To say that Exodus 21:10 supports slavery is to completely misunderstand and deliberately misinterpret the meaning of the passage, which displays God's provision and care for all Israelite women. Women were created equally with man to share man's responsibility for the creation (Gen. 1:26-27). Having one too many wives more often than not weakens a man's resolve to follow the Lord and lead him into sin; Eve with Adam (Gen. 3:6); Delilah for Samson (Judg. 16:6-21); Bathsheba for David (2 Sam. 11:1-5). However, God created women to be man's "helpmate", to help show spiritual insight, sensitivity, and obedience to the Lord; Jael (Judg. 4:17-24; 5:24-27), Ruth (Ruth 1:6-18), Abigail (1 Sam. 25), Lydia (Acts 16:14-15), and Esther, concubine of King Ahasuerus, who helped save her people from genocide (Esth. 2:13-16). So what gain is it for a man to have one wife who leads him to the Lord, and another who leads him astray? It would be better for a man to have one wife (or no wife at all), than to have two wives and be divided against himself in allegiance or spirit. Not only does polygamy create much confusion and stress, but it violates what marriage was designed to be in the first place. Those who believe in polygamy do not have a clear view of what marriage was designed to be. Ezekiel 44:22 indicates that a priest should only keep one wife, and this is echoed by Titus 1:6. Marriage was designed to be a relationship between one man and one woman; a reflection of the church as the bride of the Lord (Jeremiah 2:1-3; Revelation 21:2,17). All blessed marriages spoken of throughout Scripture speak of a monogomous relationship (Proverbs 5:18-20; 12:4; 18:22; 19:14; Song of Solomon 8:7). Also, Paul stressed that we could avoid much trouble in this life, and all references throughout 1 Corinthians 7 and 11, Ephesians 5, Colossians 3, 1 Peter 3, Titus 2, and Hebrews 13:4 all refer to marriage as between one man and one woman. Moreover, polygamy is seen as immoral by Jesus in John 4:17-18, and the lone exception that Jesus gives as a concession for divorce in Matthew 5:31-32 is because of unchastity, even though Luke 16:18 and Mark 10:11-12 do not mention that exception. Therefore, there is much to be said in the Bible about the evil of indulging in polygamy. Tell me, do you worship in the "church" of Latter Day Saints? :-) Blessings to you, Makarios |
||||||
3 | Please answer the question. Thanks! | Ex 21:10 | headdoc5 | 102316 | ||
Makarios . . . thank you for your eloquent response replete with many references that never answered the question. I value and admire your intellegence, please answer the question specifically. Thank you so much I'm searching diligently and feel God is using you. Headdoc5 |
||||||
4 | Please answer the question. Thanks! | Ex 21:10 | Makarios | 102317 | ||
I did answer the question. It is you who is unwilling to accept the correct answer, given in Scripture. | ||||||