Polygamy

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
May 1, 2013
220
31
28
#81
**This** would be an unfortunate thing for someone to hold on to, if their hope is in The Kingdom of God (Matt 6:33).
By this, I meant: To regard Jacob a sinner before God concerning the wife of his youth and the sons he brought forth from his second wife Rachel.
 

miknik5

Senior Member
Jun 2, 2016
7,833
588
113
#82
Good post: What was the law of the land when our Father Jacob was deceived into taking two wives?

Gen 29:18-21
(18) And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.
(19) And Laban said, It is better that I give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man: abide with me.
(20) And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her.
(21) And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her.

Gen 29:25-27
(25) And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it was Leah: and he said to Laban, What is this thou hast done unto me? did not I serve with thee for Rachel? wherefore then have you beguiled me?
(26) And Laban said, It must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn.

Do you believe Jacob sinned before God in taking more than one wife?

My concern is that hearing how some in this thread have regarded King David, they might likewise regard Jacob a sinner before God concerning the wife of his youth and half of the sons of Jacob/Israel illegitimate. But when God shows us in Revelations at the very end of the book, "The Bride," "The Lamb's Wife" he shows us those sons' names on the Gates of the city in the Kingdom of God. This would be an unfortunate thing for someone to hold on to, if their hope is in The Kingdom of God (Matt 6:33).

I contend that, Jacob by the power of the Holy Spirit walked in God's law to the best of his ability and even was careful to keep Due 21:15-17 which hadn't actually been penned by Moses yet. But Ruben's lust-driven idolatry even drove him to covet and commit adultery in defiling his father Jacob's bed (Gen 49:3-4). So God saw fit to take away his double portion for that reason and gave it to Rachel's (Jacob's beloved wife of his youth) first-born's sons of the Egyptian, Ephraim and Manasseh.

I only pen this to show that Jacob only ever intended to take one wife (even as Abraham) and circumstances outside of his immediate control caused him to have two wives in a situation a man of God never hopes for.

Lev 18:18
Neither shalt thou take a wife to her sister, to vex her, to uncover her nakedness, beside the other in her life time.

And yet he covered his wives and maintained the integrity of his house within the order of God to the best of his ability. This is a man demonstrating the love of God in a very difficult situation. This is why I said in an earlier post that in certain situations where a man having more than one wife who becomes a Christian should not be admonished to divorce his wives and neither should he multiply any more wives after the fact.

Pro 4:7
Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
Jacob joined to himself all generational children and all his firstborn sons of each of his wives covering all generations of peoples were counted in as the tribe/house of Israel:


Leah (the older generational Jewish sister)
And her older generational gentile handmaid
rachel (the younger generational Jewish sister)
her younger generational gentile handmaid
 
May 1, 2013
220
31
28
#83
Jacob joined to himself all generational children and all his firstborn sons of each of his wives covering all generations of peoples were counted in as the tribe/house of Israel:


Leah (the older generational Jewish sister)
And her older generational gentile handmaid
rachel (the younger generational Jewish sister)
her younger generational gentile handmaid
miknik5:
Do you think Jacob sinned concerning the matter of his wives as some have postulated in this post?
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
55,247
25,716
113
#84
Your responses are fantastic. There's a significant distinction between polygamy, adultery and idolatry that to some are completely blurred for the sake of an emotional argument being attempted to be made. It may not be as acceptable a practice now in society but then that accounts for much of the bible's ways deviating from the 'norm' of society, of which, regardless of our flesh, we're bound to follow. Polygamy was an acceptable practice deemed approved by the Lord in the old testament.
Where are these verses of God stating His approval of polygamy? I have given multiple verses showing otherwise, but seen none that contradict. By the way, it is God who likens idolatry to adultery. Do you accuse Him also of doing so for the same reasons you ascribe to others? Do you think He gave us commandments just because He felt like it, or was it because the breaking of them hurt others as well as the person committing the sin? Yes, even hurt them emotionally. Do you think God cares not for how people feel? He draws near to the brokenhearted. Infidelity causes a lot of broken hearts :(
 
May 1, 2013
220
31
28
#86
I think Jacob was a prophetic picture of CHRIST, THE BRIDEGROOM, who is THE SON over the whole house for GOD
Very interestingly put miknik5.

What you said seems to have a similar parallel to my earlier statement, "I contend that, Jacob by the power of the Holy Spirit walked in God's law to the best of his ability..."

Jesus said, "Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment (John 7:24)."

Grace and peace be multiplied to you in Jesus name.
 

miknik5

Senior Member
Jun 2, 2016
7,833
588
113
#87
Very interestingly put miknik5.

What you said seems to have a similar parallel to my earlier statement, "I contend that, Jacob by the power of the Holy Spirit walked in God's law to the best of his ability..."

Jesus said, "Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment (John 7:24)."

Grace and peace be multiplied to you in Jesus name.
Though all flesh seemed to be tied to Jacob, (the older and younger generations of Jews and the older and younger generation of Gentiles) it was still based on GOD calling and renaming Jacob...Israel
 
Last edited:
K

kaylagrl

Guest
#88
I watched a documentary on Polygamy,I cried by the end of it. These poor women brought up to believe that this is the right thing to do. Ridiculous.If God wanted polygamy he would have given Adam three wives besides Eve. Just because the Bible records something doesn't make it God's will.

The program follows women in a polygamy relationship. He decides to add a new young wife to their number and the old standbys try not to feel pushed aside,old,unattractive. They support this young new wife as she buys her wedding dress and prepares for her special day. The new young wife gets her husband for her wedding night of course,who he beds by the end of the week is another question. I saw nothing but hurt,depression,jealousy in the story of these women. How could one not be jealous of time and attention from their husband. No,definitely not of God. Its about ego and nothing more.
 
May 1, 2013
220
31
28
#89
... It was still based on GOD calling and renaming Jacob...Israel
I agree somewhat, that's why when I first commented on this thread (in post #65) I wrote, "Let's not forget Jacob, who God loved and changed his name to Israel."

Trofimus, let's not forget Jacob, who God loved and changed his name to Israel.

Adultery is loosely defined as, "voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and a person who is not his or her spouse."

Neither Abraham, Jacob nor Elkanah were adulterers though they had multiple wives.

But we shouldn't forget nor discount that God chose Jacob from the womb;

Psa 47:4
He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. Selah.

Mal 1:2
I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet you say, Wherein have you loved us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob,

Rom 9:10-13
(10) And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac;
(11) (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calls;
(12) It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.
(13) As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
 
May 1, 2013
220
31
28
#90
I watched a documentary on Polygamy,I cried by the end of it.

I can empathize with you in regard to the documentary as many are actually teaching improperly that the Old Testament promotes polygamy. It certainly does not. The lust of the flesh tends to incite this behavior (Jas 1:14), but not in every case.

I saw nothing but hurt,depression,jealousy in the story of these women. How could one not be jealous of time and attention from their husband. No,definitely not of God. Its about ego and nothing more.
If one was to assume it was about ego and nothing more with Abraham or Jacob that would not be good. And if a person began to teach such a thing concerning them or another who was not coveting, nor in idolatry, nor in adultery; they might be in danger of bearing false witness.

You know the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honor your father and mother (Mar 10:19).

Kaylagrl: I assume that your statement about "ego and nothing more" was referring to the documentary, and I only make the statements above for clarity considering the tenor of this post and the question "Is it a sin to have more than one wife?"

I think it's important that a distinction be made as the bible evidences that it is not a sin in every case.
 
Last edited:
Dec 16, 2012
1,483
114
63
#91
Neither Abraham, Jacob nor Elkanah were adulterers though they had multiple wives.
A thick stand of copy paste verses where there's been next to no study evident on the real meaning, they're totally out of context and some of them have nothing to do with polygamy at all (despite the vain attempts to weave them in and therein carry off a different meaning) illustrates the majority of the audience's position on the matter. Polygamy has nothing to do with idolatry or adultery, drawing such comparisons is not fit. This simplistic approach adopted to slander an entire practice, whether liked or not, the bible is an advocate for, just fails. It is very emotionally driven and attempts in vain to convict others, but the reality is that it ignores so much. A random documentary where producers and directors have their own agenda to push, illustrating a non consensual, cult like upbringing doesn't qualify as a true, proper study and reflection on the practice of biblical polygamy in the slightest. While monogamy is practiced now it doesn't take away for a moment Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob and the twelve tribes of Israel foundation of polygamy. Irrespective of the ignorance and feelings of flesh thrown, polygamy is scripturally sound because it has always been directed by God.
 
May 9, 2017
31
1
0
#92
All things are lawful for me, but not all things are expedient.
 
K

kaylagrl

Guest
#93

I can empathize with you in regard to the documentary as many are actually teaching improperly that the Old Testament promotes polygamy. It certainly does not. The lust of the flesh tends to incite this behavior (Jas 1:14), but not in every case.


If one was to assume it was about ego and nothing more with Abraham or Jacob that would not be good. And if a person began to teach such a thing concerning them or another who was not coveting, nor in idolatry, nor in adultery; they might be in danger of bearing false witness.

You know the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honor your father and mother (Mar 10:19).

Kaylagrl: I assume that your statement about "ego and nothing more" was referring to the documentary, and I only make the statements above for clarity considering the tenor of this post and the question "Is it a sin to have more than one wife?"

I think it's important that a distinction be made as the bible evidences that it is not a sin in every case.

I cannot speak to the OT people,I believe they married for different reasons back then,though I dont believe that was Gods plan for marriage.I dont see multiple wives was in God's mind.As I said,if so He would have given Adam several wives.So since we are talking about different times,as in King David,who had several wives because of political reasons,we cannot rightly compare the two. Therefore no one is bearing false witness.
 

DJ2

Senior Member
Apr 15, 2017
1,660
57
48
#94
David was an adulterer, and a murderer. He was seen to do evil in the eyes of God. Both the OT that exhorts men to be faithful to the wife of their youth, and the NT. Why would that change?
I agree. Our morals are not based on the acts of men but the principles of the Word of God.
 

miknik5

Senior Member
Jun 2, 2016
7,833
588
113
#96
A thick stand of copy paste verses where there's been next to no study evident on the real meaning, they're totally out of context and some of them have nothing to do with polygamy at all (despite the vain attempts to weave them in and therein carry off a different meaning) illustrates the majority of the audience's position on the matter. Polygamy has nothing to do with idolatry or adultery, drawing such comparisons is not fit. This simplistic approach adopted to slander an entire practice, whether liked or not, the bible is an advocate for, just fails. It is very emotionally driven and attempts in vain to convict others, but the reality is that it ignores so much. A random documentary where producers and directors have their own agenda to push, illustrating a non consensual, cult like upbringing doesn't qualify as a true, proper study and reflection on the practice of biblical polygamy in the slightest. While monogamy is practiced now it doesn't take away for a moment Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob and the twelve tribes of Israel foundation of polygamy. Irrespective of the ignorance and feelings of flesh thrown, polygamy is scripturally sound because it has always been directed by God.
What is its purpose?
 
Z

Zi

Guest
#97
This is a good point. The OT had no new birth and were stuck in a life for the flesh.. We are to be living as the bride of Christ and are aided by the Spirit to do so..

Thanks I see this topic differently now. I used to advocate for reason and compare lives and deeds. I see it wasn't from a place of truth.. We aren't anyone in the OT nor told to follow their example in this
Would you say having more than one wife is to the flesh or to the spirit?
 

DJ2

Senior Member
Apr 15, 2017
1,660
57
48
#98
A thick stand of copy paste verses where there's been next to no study evident on the real meaning, they're totally out of context and some of them have nothing to do with polygamy at all (despite the vain attempts to weave them in and therein carry off a different meaning) illustrates the majority of the audience's position on the matter. Polygamy has nothing to do with idolatry or adultery, drawing such comparisons is not fit. This simplistic approach adopted to slander an entire practice, whether liked or not, the bible is an advocate for, just fails. It is very emotionally driven and attempts in vain to convict others, but the reality is that it ignores so much. A random documentary where producers and directors have their own agenda to push, illustrating a non consensual, cult like upbringing doesn't qualify as a true, proper study and reflection on the practice of biblical polygamy in the slightest. While monogamy is practiced now it doesn't take away for a moment Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob and the twelve tribes of Israel foundation of polygamy. Irrespective of the ignorance and feelings of flesh thrown, polygamy is scripturally sound because it has always been directed by God.
The idea of polygamy did not come from the mind of God but the desires of men (males). God allowed many things to occur such as polygamy, slavery and warfare. Because God puts limits to these acts does not mean they were of God.
 

miknik5

Senior Member
Jun 2, 2016
7,833
588
113
#99
However....in OT time, a woman was dependent on the male as the head over the house in all things. And he was the provider and the protector and the spiritual connection and head between her and GOD

When a woman was joined to a man, she was safe...her main desire, the fulfilled role of the woman was to marry and bear children

when Jacob joined to himself these four wives, they were joined to him, joined to his house and his leadership as the spiritual head over the whole family,

it was the male in OT times who was the direct line between which a woman through her husband was joined to GOD

This is seen in the truth that when the father died, the firstborn son earned the full birthright of his father and stepped into the role as the spiritual head leading the family to know GOD

And further stressed in that each of the sons born to these four women who were joined to Jacob/Israel, became the heads over the 12 tribes/houses of Israel
 

miknik5

Senior Member
Jun 2, 2016
7,833
588
113
But all this was simply a shadow pointing us to the one and only Bridegroom over the Whole House of GOD