I find it intriguing to reflect on the scriptures where it appears on the surface that the LORD is ok with polygamy (more than one spouse). I do not personally believe that is the case, but it is as simple as we would like to make it. We see examples of people like David who have multiple wives and are not rebuked for it. Make note that he is also not commended or commanded to take on multiple wives and not every action from a Biblical figure is righteous. Consider David’s sin with Bathsheba, though that is clearly called out.
David’s Family Enlarged
1Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David with cedar trees, masons and carpenters, to build a house for him. 2And David realized that the LORD had established him as king over Israel, and that his kingdom was highly exalted, for the sake of His people Israel.
3Then David took more wives at Jerusalem, and David became the father of more sons and daughters. 4These are the names of the children born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, 5Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet, 6Nogah, Nepheg, Japhia, 7Elishama, Beeliada and Eliphelet.
We can also consider Exodus 21. Does this imply the law is encouraging polygamy?
7“If a man sells his daughter as a female slave, she is not to go free as the male slaves do. 8“If she is displeasing in the eyes of her master who designated her for himself, then he shall let her be redeemed. He does not have authority to sell her to a foreign people because of his unfairness to her. 9“If he designates her for his son, he shall deal with her according to the custom of daughters. 10“If he takes to himself another woman, he may not reduce her food, her clothing, or her conjugal rights. 11“If he will not do these three things for her, then she shall go out for nothing, without payment of money.
I would say the law has provided protection for women who may be subjected to polygamy, but does not necessarily encourage polygamy. This is very similar to a question about the law that Yeshua answered about divorce.
3Some Pharisees came to Jesus, testing Him and asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason at all?” 4And He answered and said, “Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE, 5and said, ‘FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH’? 6“So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.” 7They said to Him, “Why then did Moses command to GIVE HER A CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE AND SEND her AWAY?” 8He said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart Moses permitted you to divorce your wives; but from the beginning it has not been this way. 9“And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”
10The disciples said to Him, “If the relationship of the man with his wife is like this, it is better not to marry.” 11But He said to them, “Not all men can accept this statement, but only those to whom it has been given. 12“For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother’s womb; and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men; and there are also eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. He who is able to accept this, let him accept it.”
I would conclude similarly for both the situation with polygamy and divorce where it is specified in the law… it is not God’s intent. Note that Yeshua specifically says the two shall become one, not the three or four.
The law also includes provisions for what should happen if people do many other things which are not acceptable to the LORD. In fact if we read down a bit further in Exodus 21, the same chapter referenced above, we see the context of that chapter continues to highlight things one should not do and the punishment for it.
12“He who strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death. 13“But if he did not lie in wait for him, but God let him fall into his hand, then I will appoint you a place to which he may flee. 14“If, however, a man acts presumptuously toward his neighbor, so as to kill him craftily, you are to take him even from My altar, that he may die.
15“He who strikes his father or his mother shall surely be put to death.
We can discard the argument that Exodus 21 implies it is ok to be polygamous in my opinion.
While I understand that many are already ok just accepting monogamy based on common teaching, I think it is important for us to dig in and test scripture in more detail to ensure we strengthen our confidence in God’s ways so we are prepared to defend them when others may come with a different perspective. Also, there are many commonly accepted teachings which are false and we will only flush these out if we allow ourselves to question and test what is commonly accepted.
I invite you to pray with me:
Father, thank You for the gift of biblical marriage between one man and one woman. Please help us to challenge and test and study Your word thoroughly and guide us in our efforts. Amen.
Shalom
Devotion by John in service to Christ
Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.