Biblical Mysteries Revealed

CHAPTER 11: THE MYSTERY OF POLYGAMY

THE NEXT PORTION OF THIS STUDY MAY COME AS A SHOCK TO SOME PEOPLE, BUT IT IS BIBLICAL TRUTH NONETHELESS. GOD STATES IN HIS WORD THAT IT IS BETTER TO HAVE TWO OR MORE WIVES THAN TO DIVORCE ONE TO MARRY ANOTHER. IN OLD TESTAMENT TIMES IT WAS THE COMMON PRACTICE FOR MEN TO DIVORCE THEIR WIVES AND SEND HER AND HER CHILDREN AWAY TO FEND FOR THEMSELVES THE BEST THAT THEY COULD. THE WOMAN THEN HAD TO GO BACK AND LIVE WITH HER PARENTS, OR TAKE SOME MENIAL JOB FOR LOW PAY, BECOME A PROSTITUTE, OR QUICKLY FIND SOMEONE ELSE TO MARRY HER AND SUPPORT HER AND HER CHILDREN.

GOD, AS YOU READ EARLIER COMPARES HIMSELF TO A MAN WITH TWO WIVES. HE DIVORCED ISRAEL, THE LOST TRIBES, AND IN A SPIRITUAL SENSE REMARRIED THEM AFTER THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST. HE IS ALSO STILL MARRIED TO JUDAH, THE JEWS, AND HE WILL MARRY A THIRD WIFE, THE CHURCH, WHEN THE FIRST RESURRECTION TAKES PLACE.

Exodus 21:10-11 NIV If he marries another woman, he must not deprive the first one of her food, clothing and marital rights. If he does not provide her with these three things, she is to go free, without any payment of money.

THE HUSBAND OF MORE THAN ONE WIFE WAS REQUIRED NOT TO DIMINISH THE FOOD, CLOTHING, OR SEXUAL RIGHTS OF THE FIRST WIFE WHEN HE TOOK A SECOND WIFE. IF HE DID NOT LIVE UP TO THIS COMMAND, THEN THE FIRST WIFE WAS FREE TO GO AND MARRY ANOTHER MAN, IF SHE DESIRED TO DO SO.

SOMEONE MAY SAY, ISN’T THIS THEN ANOTHER REASON FOR DIVORCE OTHER THAN ADULTERY. THE ANSWER IS NO, BECAUSE THE MAN WHO TAKES A SECOND WIFE IS IN A STATE OF CONTINUAL ADULTERY AND HIS FIRST WIFE IS INNOCENT. THE FIRST WIFE HAS THE RIGHT BEFORE GOD TO DIVORCE HIM IF SHE SO DESIRES. GOD PERMITS HER TO STAY WITH HER HUSBAND IF SHE CAN BEAR THE SITUATION, OUT OF CONCERN FOR BOTH HER AND HER CHILDREN, THAT THEY MAY CONTINUE TO BE SUPPORTED IN THE STYLE THEY HAVE BECOME ACCUSTOMED TO.

THIS WAS NOT INTENDED BY GOD TO ENDORSE POLYGAMY, BUT IN GODS SIGHT IT WAS MORE HONORABLE FOR A MAN TO HAVE TWO WIVES, AND CONTINUE TO LIVE UP TO THE FIRST MARRIAGE CONTRACT, THAN TO CAST THE FIRST WIFE AND HER CHILDREN OUT INTO THE STREET WITH NO MEANS OF SUPPORT. ALL MEN TODAY WHO HAVE A WIFE AND A MISTRESS OR MISTRESSES, IN GODS EYES HAVE TWO OR MORE WIVES.

IN THE NEW TESTAMENT IT IS EVIDENT MANY MEN STILL HAD MORE THAN ONE WIFE. THE TAKING OF MORE THAN ONE WIFE IS EVIDENCE THAT A PERSON DOES NOT HAVE SELF CONTROL, AND THIS EXCLUDED THESE MEN FROM ASSUMING POSITIONS OF AUTHORITY IN THE CHURCH, BUT IT DID NOT EXCLUDE THEM FROM BELONGING TO THE CHURCH. AN OVERSEER IS ANOTHER NAME FOR A PASTOR.

1 Timothy 3:2 NIV Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

1 Timothy 3:12 NIV A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well.

Titus 1:6 NIV An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient.

THE TAKING OF MORE THAN ONE WIFE THEN SHOWS A LACK OF SELF CONTROL, BUT IT IS PREFERABLE TO DIVORCE, IF THE FIRST WIFE IS CONTENT TO LIVE IN THAT TYPE OF A SITUATION. NORMALLY THE TWO WIVES DID NOT LIVE IN THE SAME HOUSE OR TENT. EACH WIFE WOULD HAVE HER OWN LIVING QUARTERS, BUT IT WOULD BE ON THE SAME PROPERTY. GOD ALSO COMMANDED THAT A MAN SHOULD NOT BE MARRIED TO TWO SISTERS
AT THE SAME TIME.

Leviticus 18:18 "'Do not take your wife's sister as a rival wife and have sexual relations with her while your wife is living.

THE PATRIARCH JACOB WAS MARRIED TO TWO SISTERS, BUT HE WAS TRICKED INTO IT, AND AT THAT TIME THE LAW HAD NOT YET BEEN GIVEN.

HAVING MORE THAN ONE WIFE IS AGAINST THE LAW IN THIS COUNTRY, AND GOD HAS COMMANDED US TO OBEY THE LAWS OF THE LAND THAT WE LIVE IN, SO POLYGAMY IS NOT A VIABLE OPTION TODAY. I INCLUDE THE STUDY OF IT HERE TO SHOW HOW SERIOUS GOD IS ABOUT A PERSON KEEPING THE TERMS OF A CONTRACT THAT THEY HAVE AGREED TO.

Deuteronomy 21:15-17 NIV If a man has two wives, and he loves one but not the other, and both bear him sons but the firstborn is the son of the wife he does not love, when he wills his property to his sons, he must not give the rights of the firstborn to the son of the wife he loves in preference to his actual firstborn, the son of the wife he does not love. He must acknowledge the son of his unloved wife as the firstborn by giving him a double share of all he has. That son is the first sign of his father's strength. The right of the firstborn belongs to him.

THE MAN WITH TWO WIVES WAS STILL BOUND TO RECOGNIZE THE INHERITANCE RIGHTS OF THE FIRST BORN SON OF THE FIRST WIFE, IF THEIR WAS ONE, AND GIVE TO HIM A DOUBLE SHARE OF HIS ESTATE.

WOMEN WERE NOT PERMITTED TO HAVE TWO HUSBANDS BECAUSE WOMEN ARE THE CHILDBEARERS IN THIS WORLD. IF A WOMAN WERE PERMITTED TO HAVE MORE THAN ONE HUSBAND AT A TIME, THE CHILDREN SHE GAVE BIRTH TO COULD NEVER BE ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN OF WHO THEIR FATHERS WERE. THE TWO HUSBANDS COULD NEVER BE SURE WHICH CHILDREN OF A WOMAN WITH TWO HUSBANDS WERE TO RECEIVE THEIR INHERITANCE RIGHTS.

DO NOT GET THE IDEA FROM THIS STUDY THAT I AM PROMOTING POLYGAMY. THE SCRIPTURES STATE THAT THE LAWS OF THE LAND MUST BE OBEYED EXCEPT WHEN THEY WOULD FORCE US TO WORSHIP IDOLS OR FORBID THE PREACHING OF THE GOSPEL.

Romans 13:1-5 NIV Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.

MY POINT IN THIS CHAPTER IS TO SHOW THAT MEN WHO LEAVE THEIR WIVES, EXCEPT IN A CASE WHERE SHE HAS COMMITTED CONTINUAL ADULTERY, SHOULD PAY ALIMONY AND CHILD SUPPORT TO THEIR FIRST WIFE UNTIL SHE REMARRIES. EVEN AFTER SHE REMARRIES HE SHOULD CONTINUE TO SUPPORT HIS CHILDREN. THIS IS A MANS DUTY BEFORE GOD AND THE GOVERNMENT.

FIDELITY

GOD COMMANDS AND EXPECTS FIDELITY IN A MARRIAGE, BY BOTH PARTNERS. GOD COMPARES BEING FAITHFUL TO YOUR MARRIAGE PARTNER TO DRINKING WATER FROM YOUR OWN WELL.

Proverbs 5:15-21 NIV Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well. Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares? Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers. May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. A loving doe, a graceful deer-- may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be captivated by her love. Why be captivated, my son, by an adulteress? Why embrace the bosom of another man's wife? For a man's ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all his paths.

ADULTERY

MARITAL UNFAITHFULNESS OR ADULTERY IS IN GODS VIEW A COMPARISON TO IDOL WORSHIP. GOD COMPARES HIMSELF, FOR THE BENEFIT OF US UNDERSTANDING HOW HE FEELS, TO A HUSBAND WHO HAS AN UNFAITHFUL WIFE. WHEN WE WORSHIP OR PLACE ANYTHING AHEAD OF GOD IN OUR LIVES, IT IS SPIRITUAL ADULTERY.

IN THE OLD TESTAMENT THE PENALTY FOR ADULTERY WAS COMMANDED BY GOD TO BE DEATH. THE JEWS RARELY EVER ENFORCED THIS LAW, AS THEY WERE CONSTANTLY COMMITTING BOTH PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL ADULTERY FROM THE DAY THAT GOD BROUGHT THEM OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT. THE PURPOSE OF GOD IN GIVING THIS COMMAND WAS TO SHOW THE SERIOUSNESS OF COMMITTING SPIRITUAL ADULTERY AND WORSHIPPING
ANYONE OTHER THAN HIMSELF. THE PENALTY FOR SPIRITUAL ADULTERY IS ETERNITY IN THE LAKE OF FIRE, WHICH IS CALLED IN THE BIBLE, THE SECOND DEATH.

Leviticus 18:20 NIV "'Do not have sexual relations with your neighbor's wife and defile yourself with her.

Leviticus 20:10 NIV "'If a man commits adultery with another man's wife--with the wife of his neighbor--both the adulterer and the adulteress must be put to death.

GOD HATES THE SIN OF ADULTERY, AND COMMANDS AGAINST IT FOR BOTH MEN AND WOMEN. ADULTERY IS A FORGIVABLE SIN, BUT THOSE WHO INDULGE IN IT WILL AT THE VERY LEAST, LOSE SOME OF THEIR REWARDS AT THE RESURRECTION. WHAT GOOD IS IT TO YOU TO BE CHARITABLE AND DO GOOD IF YOU ARE GOING TO ERASE IT ALL BY COMMITTING ADULTERY?

Proverbs 6:23-29 NIV For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way to life, keeping you from the immoral woman, from the smooth tongue of the wayward wife. Do not lust in your heart after her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes, for the prostitute reduces you to a loaf of bread, and the adulteress preys upon your very life. Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned? Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched? So is he who sleeps with another man's wife; no one who touches her will go unpunished.

GOD COMPARES ADULTERERS TO HORSES, TO LUSTY WELL FED STALLIONS.

Jeremiah 5:8 NIV They are well-fed, lusty stallions, each neighing for another man's wife.

IT IS THE MANS RESPONSIBILITY TO SET THE STANDARD FOR HIS HOUSEHOLD. THERE HAS BEEN A DOUBLE STANDARD IN ALMOST ALL SOCIETIES DOWN THROUGH THE CENTURIES THAT ALLOWED MEN TO COMMIT ADULTERY, WHILE THE WOMEN WERE PUNISHED SEVERELY FOR IT. GOD HAS NO SUCH DOUBLE STANDARD, IN FACT GOD HOLDS THE MAN OF THE
HOUSE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ADULTERY AND FORNICATION OF HIS WIFE AND HIS DAUGHTERS IF HE HIMSELF IS INVOLVED IN THIS SIN.

Hosea 4:14 NIV "I will not punish your daughters when they turn to prostitution, nor your daughters-in-law when they commit adultery, because the men themselves consort with harlots and sacrifice with shrine prostitutes-- a people without understanding will come to ruin!

IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO COMPLETE THE ACT OF ADULTERY TO BE GUILTY. THE MERE THOUGHT OF IT WITH THE INTENTION OF DOING IT IF THE OPPORTUNITY BECOMES AVAILABLE IS ENOUGH TO RENDER ONE GUILTY OF IT. THIS IS NOT JUST TRUE OF THIS PARTICULAR SIN, BUT ALL SINS. THE PERSON WHO WOULD STEAL MONEY IF THEY THOUGHT THAT THEY COULD GET AWAY WITH IT IS JUST AS GUILTY AS IF THEY HAD STOLEN IT ALREADY.

Matthew 5:28 NIV But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

IN PROVERBS, GOD GIVES US AN EXAMPLE OF THE MODUS OPERANDI OF AN ADULTERESS.

Proverbs 7:6-27 NIV At the window of my house I looked out through the lattice. I saw among the simple, I noticed among the young men, a youth who lacked judgment. He was going down the street near her corner, walking along in the direction of her house at twilight, as the day was fading, as the dark of night set in. Then out came a woman to meet him, dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent. (She is loud and defiant, her feet never stay at home; now in the street, now in the squares, at every corner she lurks.) She took hold of him and kissed him and with a brazen face she said: "I have fellowship offerings at home; today I fulfilled my vows. So I came out to meet you; I looked for you and have found you! I have covered my bed with colored linens from Egypt. I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon. Come, let's drink deep of love till morning; let's enjoy ourselves with love! My husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey. He took his purse filled with money and will not be home till full moon." With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk. All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose; till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life. Her house is a highway to the grave, leading down to the chambers of death.

A GOOD WIFE

A GOOD, AND FAITHFUL, AND PRUDENT WIFE IS A BLESSING FROM GOD. THE MAN WHO FINDS ONE HAS RECEIVED A GREAT FAVOR FROM THE LORD.

Proverbs 18:22 NIV He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD.

Proverbs 19:14 NIV Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.

Proverbs 31:10 NIV A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.

ACCORDING TO GOD IT IS PREFERABLE TO BE SINGLE THAN TO LIVE WITH A NAGGING WIFE. THIS IS TRUE FOR BOTH SEXES. IT IS BETTER FOR A WOMAN TO REMAIN SINGLE THAN TO MARRY BELOW HER STANDARDS, AND BE SORRY FOR IT LATER. AT LEAST IF A PERSON IS SINGLE, THE FINDING OF A GOOD MARRIAGE PARTNER COULD BE RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER. A PERSON INVOLVED IN A BAD MARRIAGE CAN BE SURE THAT NOTHING BUT MISERY LIES AHEAD FOR QUITE SOME TIME.

Proverbs 19:13 NIV A foolish son is his father's ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping.

Proverbs 21:9 NIV Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.

Proverbs 21:19 NIV Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and ill-tempered wife.

Proverbs 27:15 NIV A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping on a rainy day;

ACCORDING TO GOD IT IS BETTER TO LIVE IN AN ATTIC OR IN THE DESERT ALONE THAN WITH AN UNSUITABLE MARRIAGE PARTNER. THIS IS TRUE FOR BOTH WOMEN AND MEN, SO IF YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT GETTING MARRIED TRY TO VISUALIZE WHAT LIFE WILL BE LIKE WITH THIS PERSON TEN, TWENTY OR THIRTY YEARS DOWN THE ROAD AND BE SURE YOU ARE PREPARED TO HANDLE IT. OTHERWISE YOU MAY FIND YOURSELF IN A SITUATION WHERE YOU FIND YOURSELF TORN BETWEEN TWO DESIRES, THE DESIRE TO PLEASE GOD AND STAY MARRIED, AND THE DESIRE TO DIVORCE AND GET OUT OF A MISERABLE MARRIAGE.

Hebrews 13:4 NIV Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.

THE FINAL END OF THE MATTER CONCERNING MARRIAGE IS THIS, THE MARRIAGE BED SHOULD BE KEPT UNDEFILED BY BOTH PARTNERS, FOR GOD WILL JUDGE ADULTERERS AND ALL OF THE SEXUALLY IMMORAL.

1 Corinthians 6:18-20 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.