Posted by Sheshisown on April 11, 2008 at 03:53:55:
In Reply to: Polygamy is NOT sin. posted by Rx on April 09, 2008 at 22:06:53:
Dear Kelly,
I know I may not find anything but an accusation against me for saying this~ that I am a liar and deceived by lies; those are your words brother. So in advance I receive all your criticism for my hearts sure stand in this idea that polygamy is not a sin. It really never matters what I may be called or what men think of me, only what Jesus knows is in me is what will ever count. I pray for assistance by the Holy Spirit in approaching this doctrine, may He grant me a loving heart of truth.
I would not say anything~ if I was not led to by the Holy Spirit dear brother, and my prayers are going up in supplication for you.
Please do not cut me off in your heart, I hope you know I have respected you, and given you honor as a leader over this forum, but here I must say these things~ in defense of the faith once delivered to the saints.
Every example in the word of polygamy is rife with disaster and pain; the consequences of such unions are seen to be evil. Look at Rachel and Leah constantly contentious over the attentions and love of their shared husband. A scheme devised by an obviously wicked man- Laban, who cheated his own daughters to fill his pockets, who cheated his hard working son-in-law as well. The sad story goes on to reveal a lack of attention and love given to these multiple marriage sons by Jacob. He could love only Rachel, and rejected the love of Leah, by whom he finally was buried. He loved only Joseph and rejected his eleven sons who strove with and envied Joseph. God of course meant good from the evil deeds of men, and created His nation Israel from even these heartless unions. For with God nothing is impossible.
Then there is poor Hannah,
who was provoked by her adversary Peninnah,
year after year.
These two women both married to Elkanah,
are in bitter rivalry.
Would this be the way of our Lord?
No,
certainly not,
and her provocation is because of envy,
striving to compete,
which human nature (the sin nature always will).
“For where envying and strife [is],
there [is] confusion and every evil work.”
Elkanah gives a double portion to Hannah because .
.
.
he loves Hannah.
A man who has two or more wives will be partial,
one is loved and preferred,
and one is not.
Elkanah did not understand his wife Hannah,
he asks her why do you weep,
why won’t you eat,
and why is your heart grieved,
he cannot understand why his love is not enough—better than ten sons.
That’s a really prideful man.
He could not see—or perhaps refused to acknowledge the rivalry between these two wives of his,
perhaps it wasn’t something he bothered himself with,
only women’s troubles.
Look now at the first example of disastrous polygamy, at Sarai who started this whole polygamy thing with a union whose seed God calls “of the flesh” the Lord refuses to recognize as His promise. Sarai would not wait on the LORD for the promised son, so she gives Abram her Egyptian handmaid Hagar. Mind you, Abram does not complain to God about this, nor does he ask the LORD for his permission to begin this polygamous relationship, but the Holy Spirit tells us—he listened to his wife’s voice, “And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife.” Who made THIS marriage Kelly? The Holy Spirit says Sarai gave her to be his wife. This was not God condoning polygamy, but the reverse. Later (after God changed their names) Abraham mourns the loss of this son of his flesh! Even Sarah is grieved by the contentious younger woman who chides her for being barren. Do you see the cruelty each person learns from this polygamous marriage?
God will have His sovereign will be done though men and women foolishly fail to accomplish it for Him. You know this is true. Genesis 17:19 “And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, [and] with his seed after him.” See also- the fruit of this polygamous union— “And he will be a wild man; his hand [will be] against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.” And later God tells us these are not His children of promise—Romans 9:7-9 “Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, [are they] all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these [are] not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. For this [is] the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son.”
Kelly friend and brother by faith in Christ Jesus please hear me, polygamy was practiced by all the heathen nations and still is today. Only monogamy is evidence of fidelity and the TWO becoming one flesh, not the three or more. Monogamous marriage is the beautiful example of Christ and His bride the church.
In California we recently fought this battle signing petitions to gather at least 60,
000 signatures to put it into law that God meant marriage to be between one man and one woman.
We are fighting to keep same sex marriage out of our state.
Never did it even occur to me that I might need to take a stand like this opposing your words.
It makes my heart sick.
How can any woman be safe and loved as Christ loved the church within a marriage that allows the husband to seek another wife or wives,
should his eye be filled with other women?
This is still practiced by Moslems,
are they a godly people?
What of the adultery God rebuked the Israelites for,
who had betrayed the wives of their youth?
Are not men commanded to let their own wife satisfy them,
to let her (singular) meet each husband's needs?
Where in the New Testament covenant do you see any of the disciples with more than one wife .
.
.
or any followers of Christ?
Peter presumably had one mother-in-law that Jesus healed.
What desire does this idea of God condoning polygamy meet,
but the lust of men’s flesh?
It is the death of the flesh we are as Christian’s to emulate,
not its satisfaction.
Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus,
who do not walk after the flesh,
but after the Spirit.”
May our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ grant us one mind,
the mind of Christ,
just as He promised,
and may we await this good work by faith in Him Who loved us and gave Himself for us.
In the peace that passes understanding and none else.
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.
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bonnie