So You Think You Endorse Scripture

 MARITAL MATTERS

Scriptures by God

 Author’s Notations Italicized

Consider this article,

an exercise in testing

one's ability to remain objective

when truth is uncomfortable,

NOT promoting an actual activity.

In The Beginning: 

Gen 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.  

27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.   …

2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life;

and man became a living soul.   …

18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.  …

21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;   22 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.   

23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh:

      she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.   

24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.  

25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.

Jesus Confirmed,

Mar 10:8 And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.  

9 What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

What a beautiful beginning

What have we done?

How shall it end?

OLD TESTAMENT - Scriptures by God

New Wife

Deu 24:5 When a man hath taken a new wife, he shall not go out to war, neither shall he be charged with any business: but

he shall be free at home one year, and shall cheer up his wife which he hath taken.

Generally in that time, God intends for her to have a child to share her affection with – thus, never alone.

Servants

Exo 21:2 If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing.

Perpetual enslavement of their brethren was to be avoided  3 If he came in by himself, he shall go out by himself: if he were married, then his wife shall go out with him.   4 If his master have given him a wife, and she have born him sons or daughters; the wife and her children shall be her master's, and he shall go out by himself. Are we able to see God’s wisdom here? Do we need too?   5 And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free:   6 Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever.    

7 And if a man sell his daughter to be a maidservant, she shall not go out as the menservants do. Was God wrong?  

8 If she please not her master, who hath betrothed her to himself, then shall he let her be redeemed (purchased back by her family, if they want her?): to sell her unto a strange nation he shall have no power, seeing he hath dealt deceitfully with her (otherwise he could?).  

9 And if he have betrothed her unto his son, he shall deal with her after the manner of (his own) daughters    

10 If he take him another wife; her food, her raiment, and her duty of marriage, shall he not diminish.  

11 And if he do not these three unto her, then shall she go out free without money. Can you see God’s wisdom here?

Honestly, would you have a problem living as a woman under these precepts? I initially thought it difficult, then I chose to activate logic that sees God’s potential perspective; that sees the best interest for all concerned - the logic God’s enemies like to negate, yet we believers often adopt by allowing emotion to precede logic.

Do you think most fathers then, would have disregard for their loving-daughters’ feelings? Her opinion was likely critical;

likely, father, mother & daughter had to be in agreement to proceed - SOUNDS WISE, don’t ya think.

Do you think more daughters were damaged this way, then … than today’s naïve young adolescent girls, deceiving & being deceived by, misguided males; a me-now generation of self-determined destruction, lacking parental controls? How often do you think a loving-father sold or gave his daughter in marriage, with disregard to her opinions/feelings. Likely, these decisions were a family affair, with a better result then, than this generation’s broken-hearted, pre/non-marital, fornicating-relationships & a 70% divorce rate … aborted, parentless, single parented, shared custody, hurt & confused children.

Most Fathers would take her back if she was treated wrongfully.

Some would have us believe animals were generally sold/bought with more dignity, though that was the unfortunate exception.

Let us maximize the then-negative-minority

And minimize the now-negative-majority

Doesn’t that feel better

Captive Women

Deu 21:10 When thou goest forth to war against thine enemies, and the LORD thy God hath delivered them into thine hands, and thou hast taken them captive,   11 And seest among the captives a beautiful woman, and hast a desire unto her, that thou wouldest have her to thy wife;   12 Then thou shalt bring her home to thine house; and she shall shave her head, and pare her nails;   13 And she shall put the raiment of her captivity from off her, and shall remain in thine house, and bewail her father and her mother a full month: and after that thou shalt go in unto her, and be her husband, and she shall be thy wife.   14 And it shall be, if thou have no delight in her, then thou shalt let her go whither she will; but thou shalt not sell her at all for money, thou shalt not make merchandise of her, because thou hast humbled her.

Is God fair?  

2 Wives

15 If a man have two wives, one beloved, and another hated, and they have born him children, both the beloved and the hated; and if the firstborn son be hers that was hated:   16 Then it shall be, when he maketh his sons to inherit that which he hath, that he may not make the son of the beloved firstborn before the son of the hated, which is indeed the firstborn:   17 But he shall acknowledge the son of the hated for the firstborn, by giving him a double portion of all that he hath: for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his. Obviously, having multiple wives is not immoral, locally legal or not. God has changed application of civil or ceremonial laws but He has not reversed himself on moral laws; Jesus did more tightly redefine parameters on divorce & adultery but he did not reverse himself on divorce/adultery. God has not been known to reverse himself on moral laws - as honoring God & parents, lying, stealing, covetousness, fornication, homosexuality, bestiality, drunkenness, etc.

A Bride’s Virginity in Question

Deu 22:13 If any man take a wife, and go in unto her, and hate her,   14 And give occasions of speech against her, and bring up an evil name upon her, and say, I took this woman, and when I came to her, I found her not a maid:   15 Then shall the father of the damsel, and her mother, take and bring forth the tokens of the damsel's virginity unto the elders of the city in the gate:   16 And the damsel's father shall say unto the elders, I gave my daughter unto this man to wife, and he hateth her;   17 And, lo, he hath given occasions of speech against her, saying, I found not thy daughter a maid; and yet these are the tokens of my daughter's virginity. And they shall spread the cloth before the elders of the city.  

18 And the elders of that city shall take that man and chastise him;   :19 And they shall amerce him in an hundred shekels of silver, and give them unto the father of the damsel (not the damsel?), because he hath brought up an evil name upon a virgin of Israel: and she shall be his wife; he may not put her away all his days.

How would a Godly woman cope? Could you? What potential eternal motives could God have?

20 But if this thing be true, and the tokens of virginity be not found for the damsel:   21 Then they shall bring out the damsel to the door of her father's house, and the men of her city shall stone her with stones that she die: because she hath wrought folly in Israel, to play the whore in her father's house: so shalt thou put evil away from among you.

How many fornicate before marriage as professing Christians? How many even know where to draw the moral line; behavior inappropriate for brothers & sisters - too simple. How many churches are truly informing, except to say, “No sex” or “Do not fornicate.” Thus promoting a posture of pre-marital effectual for-play, intended for marriage, leading into a game of, “GO, GO, STOP” … eventually, “GO, GO, DON’T STOP.” How can non-repentant church leaders & parents who have violated this common sense, guide this generation’s youth - the demons laugh.

Adultery

Deu 22:22 If a man be found lying with a woman married to an husband, then they shall both of them die, both the man that lay with the woman, and the woman: so shalt thou put away evil from Israel.   23 If a damsel that is a virgin be betrothed unto an husband, and a man find her in the city, and lie with her;   24 Then ye shall bring them both out unto the gate of that city, and ye shall stone them with stones that they die; the damsel, because she cried not, being in the city; and the man, because he hath humbled his neighbour's wife: so thou shalt put away evil from among you.

25 But if a man find a betrothed damsel in the field, and the man force her, and lie with her: then the man only that lay with her shall die:   26 But unto the damsel thou shalt do nothing; there is in the damsel no sin worthy of death: for as when a man riseth against his neighbour, and slayeth him, even so is this matter:   27 For he found her in the field, and the betrothed damsel cried, and there was none to save her. Adultery meant DEATH, not divorce. Adultery here, is a man with another man’s wife not necessarily a married man with another woman, else how multiple wives.

A married man with an unmarried woman would be fornication.

Engagement is preparation for married - not a sexual trial period that can be nullified. Engagement is the 1^st stage of the marriage process, with hands off until the marriage. 

Fornication with a Virgin

Deu 22:28 If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, which is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found;   29 Then the man that lay with her shall give unto the damsel's father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife; because he hath humbled her, he may not put her away all his days. How many can truly see the righteousness of God here?

Divorce

Deu 24:1 When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her (Jesus addressed the abuse of the term “uncleanness,” being used frivolously, Mat 5:31, below.): then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house.   2 And when she is departed out of his house, she may go and be another man's wife. Perhaps she would go back to her family?  3 And if the latter husband hate her, and write her a bill of divorcement, and giveth it in her hand, and sendeth her out of his house; or if the latter husband die, which took her to be his wife;   4 Her former husband, which sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that is abomination before the LORD: and thou shalt not cause the land to sin, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.

Strange (Ungodly) Wives & Children

Ezr 10:10 And Ezra the priest stood up, and said unto them (the congregation of men), Ye have transgressed, and have taken strange wives, to increase the trespass of Israel.   11 Now therefore make confession unto the LORD God of your fathers, and do his pleasure: and separate yourselves from the people of the land, and from the strange wives.   12 Then all the congregation answered and said with a loud voice, As thou hast said, so must we do.   …   19 And they gave their hands that they would put away their wives;   …   

44 All these had taken strange wives: and some of them had wives by whom they had children.

Consider, the men had to send away the “strange wives” they had married from unGodly nations, with the children they had with them.

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NEW TESTAMENT - Scriptures by God

Jesus said,

Mat 5:31 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away(divorce) his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement (Deu 24:1):  

32 But

I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery:

and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced (except for fornication) committeth adultery.

The Old Testament, writing of divorcement, was  for significant SPIRITUAL-UNCLEANNESS; not frivolous reasons; as many did.

Fornication is sex outside the marital covenant. God is clear, Fornication is the only stipulation for, a man to divorce his wife.

Mar 10:11 And he (Jesus) saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife (except for fornication), and marry another, committeth adultery against her. God permitted more than 1 wife … REPLACEMENT BY WRONGFUL DIVORCE is the focus here.  

12 And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.

Under God; divorce, was always the man divorcing the woman – she is his possession, generally purchased.

A woman divorcing her husband is a pagan concept. God does not honor wrongful divorce, even by government DIVORCE COURTS; thus, he that marries such a woman is committing adultery.  

The Apostle Paul Wrote

Rom 7:1 Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?   2 For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.  

3 So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress:

but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.

 1Co 7: 39 The wife is bound by the law (New Testament) as long as her husband liveth;

but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord (to a Christian).   

40 But she is happier if she so abide(single),

after my(Godly) judgment(wisdom): and I think also that I have the Spirit(perspective) of God.

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1Co 7:1 Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch(sexually) a woman.  

2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication(by temptation), let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. Every, here is a general, not absolute term; does not mean everyone has to be married, but rather all those subject to temptation.  

3 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence  [Strong’s Greek: kindness; euphemistically conjugal (sexual) duty...]: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.  

4 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. Both should DESIRE to please the other. 

5  Defraud  [From Greek > G575 and στερέω stereō (to deprive); to despoil: - defraud, destitute, kept back by fraud.]

 ye not one the other, except it be with (mutual) consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.

God is adamant about a mutual-healthy-marital-sexual-relationship – negligence of your spouse, in this area, is the devil’s opportunity, to temp them with another person or activity.

6 But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment.

   (Godly wisdom, spoken by permission, not commandment)

7 For I would that all men were even as I myself. (Single, thus free to serve without encumbrance)

But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.  

8 I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I (single).  

9 But if they cannot contain (control desire), let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn (with desire, thus distracted). Marriage is a good thing created by God. Staying single to be free to serve God is an honorable sacrifice, but of little benefit if one is continually distracted with desire to be with a mate – perhaps, thus falling into temptation by thought / action.

10 And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:   

11 But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband [if, before God, he is truly bad enough to warrant separation, so be it – be willing to stay single indefinitely or go back (he/she may or not change); however this is not an excuse for divorce]: and

let not the husband put away (divorce) his wife (except for adultery/fornication).

12 But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.   13 And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.   14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.   15 But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.   16 For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?   …

One cannot name & claim salvation of even family – that would be potential violation of free will, some want to go to hell. We do intercede in prayer to optimize their choice.

17 But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.   18 Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.   19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.   20 Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.   21 Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.   22 For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant.   23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.   24 Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God. Be content with whom, how, where you are & be sensitive to God’s directive … within scriptural parameters, to avoid deception.

25 Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord:

yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful (in presenting Godly perspective).  

26 I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress (being a Christian in this perverse generation),

I say, that it is good for a man so to be (thus minded).

27 Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed.

      Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.  

28 But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned;

      and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned.

Marriage is still a God given blessing to mankind;

the world has made being married problematic, from in & outside the marriage - esp. as a Christian.

Nevertheless such(the married) shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you.

Balance: let’s not make it worse than it is – problems & blessings, consider & make a wise choice … he hopes you the best.  

29 But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none;

      Our focus is 1^st & foremost for the kingdom, not ourselves.

30 And they that weep, as though they wept not (help others & your problems will diminish);

      and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not (enjoy, but DO NOT get consumed with your own pleasure)

      (BE SOBER MINDED)

     and they that buy, as though they possessed not (make it God’s, for his purpose);   

31 And they that use this world, as not abusing it (DO NOT get over-involved in this temporary world):

      for the fashion of this world passeth away (shall be burned).  

32 But I would have you without carefulness (for the things of the world).

      He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:   

33 But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.  

34 There is difference also between a wife and a virgin.

      The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit:

      but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.

35 And this I speak for your own profit (balance);

not that I may cast a snare (false guilt) upon you,

but for that which is comely (wise),

and that ye may attend upon the Lord (1^st)

without (unnecessary)distraction.  

36 But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin(daughter),

if she pass the flower of her age (puberty),

and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them(her-to-a-man) marry.  

37 Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart(before God), having no necessity(financially or otherwise),

but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin(not give her in marriage), doeth well.  

38 So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better.

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Husband-Wife Relationship 

Eph 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord (a measure of true Godly submission).  

23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.   

24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing (except sin).

Some would say, "WHAT MAKES THE MAN BETTER THAN THE WOMAN?"

Answer, "NOTHING – THE MAN CAN GO TO HELL & THE WOMAN TO HEAVEN."

IT IS ABOUT ORDER, the man has to obey his boss , the boss has to obey the company, the company has to obey the government -

at every level mistakes are made, WAA !!! 

DON’T FRET, all levels are held accountable to God. Aren’t you happy you are only held accountable for your own decisions,

not those above you?

IN THIS GENERATION, the husband is the leader, if he does what he is told.

25 Husbands, love (sacrifice for) your wives, even as Christ also loved (sacrificed for) the church, and gave himself for it;   26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,   27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

The husband should put the needs (not wants) of his wife 1^st.

Difference of opinion is the problem here – thus God tells her to submit to his decision without coercion.    

28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.   29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:   30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. 31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.   32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church (as a symbolism of marriage).  

33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself (be not self-abusive);

and the wife see that she reverence her husband (without exploitation).

Col 3:18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Submit in all things except sin.  

19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. It is the leader’s responsibility to keep an even keel regardless of circumstances; some wives have an interesting way of getting under their husbands’ skin in a way few men would dare do to their boss – only to get fired.

 1Ti 2:9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;   10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.   11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.   12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority(dominate) over the man, but to be in silence(not absolute, rather, communicate in subjection, not intrusive).

WHY ???

13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve.

God determined at the beginning of creation for the man to be the leader.

14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.

Eve took the lead, over Adam, in eating the forbidden fruit.

Tit 2:3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;   4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,   5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

1Pe 3:1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any (husbands) obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;   2 While they(husbands) behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.   3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;   4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.   5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:   6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. 

7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. Sounds like, 2 steps short of hell.

  This is God’s equalizer; to keep the husband humble & accountable.

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God’s Declaration of a Fallen Generation 

Isa 3:12   As for my(God’s) people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them.

O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.

13 The LORD standeth up … to judge the people.

If a woman or child phones 911

The man is informed

You are innocent until proven guilty

But treated guilty until proven innocent

Where Are We ?

2Th 2:3   Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day(The Rapture) shall not come,

1)      except there come a falling away first, Isa 3: 12, above; is happening now.

2)     and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; on the horizon

Pertaining to

.

Church Leaders

1Ti 3:2 … A bishop then must be blameless,

the husband of one(Strong’s Greek: one or first. Indefinite, could mean 1 of a group or only 1) wife,

vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; …

4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;   

5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

 

This could mean, at-least 1 wife, as having a family was a prerequisite for civil leadership in Israeli-Jewish culture; how a man ruled his house, determined his eligibility for community leadership.

                    (This passage is repeated, for Deacons in verse 12, & for Elders in Titus 1:5)

As the indefinite word, "ONE, " is in an indefinite context, it is unwise, to use this passage, to scripturally prove:

• monogamy (1 spouse).

• or polygamy (a husband of more than 1 wife).

Even if it was defined as only 1, it only conclusively addressed  church bishops, deacons & elders, not the common believer.

While one could reason, the same should apply to the common believers; it is foolish to conclude presumptuously ... thus, presumptuously represent God.

God is clear on God-important issues ... common theological-doctrinal practice, dictates ... when in doubt ... give grace ... yet, on emotional-sociologically-sensitive issues such as this ... many fear the wrath of man, or should I say woman. GOD IS NOT MOCKED. In the law of Moses, God openly offered the option of polygamy, with parameters. God neither promoted nor discouraged polygamy, anywhere in scripture. Many rationalize, numerous scriptures ... to their own hurt, before God ... but hey, they have great social-political-religious support. LET GOD BE TRUE ... EVERY MAN, A LIAR. If God permitted polygamy, for even 1 generation, how can one, speak evil of it ... yet, many vilify it ... in a generation that permits HOMOSEXUAL-MARRIAGE ... go figure ... the same, demonize any, who would tell the scriptural truth, about this topic. They deceive themselves ... promoting themselves as the defenders of God, on this topic, because of the sociological backlash, otherwise. Yet, many of the same, are cowards, on defending common scriptural issues ... that GOD IS CLEAR ON ... that are being violated ... IN SO CALLED  ... CHRISTIAN NATIONS.

Monogamy vs Polygamy, is not a moral issue with God, see  Deu 21: 15-17, above.

The balancing factor ... God does not command men, to have more than 1 wife.

THE PURPOSE OF THIS ARTICLE, IS NOT TO PROMOTE HAVING MULTIPLE WIVES ...

However, to say such is immoral, when God structured the practice,

is accusing God, knowingly or unknowingly, of being complicit in an immoral act ... carefully consider one's thoughts, not to mention words.

Scripturally, God has changed non-moral, dispensational issues, He does NOT turn over moral issues. 

Rather, this article indicates how far this Jezebel-Ahab generation, has fallen from God’s perspective on marriage ...

NOT what we do or do not want ... but, untainted truth.

BE NOT DECEIVED

 IN THIS GENERATION

OF WESTERN CULTURE

WOMEN ARE NOT EQUAL,

RATHER THEY ARE DOMINANT

WOMEN ARE NOT DOMINANT AT THE TOP OF THE PYRAMID

CHECK IT OUT

FOLLOW THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD

The word one, in both Greek & English is indefinite, without a descriptive; i.e. only one or  at least one; our culture assumes ‘ONLY’ one.

Also, this statement only pertains to leadership … reasoning can again, conclude numerous ways – many claiming surety, on what cannot be sure.

We should not presume, especially, regarding God’s Word:

In the 16th century, there was a Christian re-examination of plural marriages.

The founder of the Protestant Reformation, Martin Luther wrote: "I confess that I cannot forbid a person to marry several wives, for it does not contradict the Scripture. If a man wishes to marry more than one wife he should be asked whether he is satisfied in his conscience that he may do so in accordance with the word of God. In such a case the civil authority has nothing to do in the matter."[31]                                                                                                                                                                              Reference>   wikipedia/Polygamy_in_Christianity

NOTE: Luther did not advocate, for or against, multiple wives … honestly stated, "… it does not contradict Scripture."

He truly was a man of wisdom.

                                                                                                                                           Emotionally unstable persons get all 'WACKED OUT.'

     The scriptures of God, Luther

 & this article, neither promote nor discourage multiple wives.

Each must decide their own conscience before God, pertaining to preference – without malice to those that differ.

Then, there is the law of the land, to consider, that does not contradict scripture - God does not command multiple wives,

so if the law of the land prohibits multiple wives, one must submit.

Culture should be considered, but does not dictate.

One must avoid offending others with their freedoms,

Thus be prepared to sacrifice what one wants,

To maximize opportunity to reach others for Christ.

Consider this article, an exercise in

testing one's ability to remain objective when truth is uncomfortable,

NOT promoting an actual activity.

If you read this entire article,

The scriptures do NOT support the contemporary Western view of marriage.

Finally

Eph 5:20  Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

Submit to the truth in each other

A wise elder submits to the truth in a child, not to the child

A wise child submits to a wrong mother, short of sin

Else, God speaks of authority in vain - impossible

Fear the truth in others, as all truth is God’s

GOD IS TRUTH.

The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom

Thus fearing the truth in others, is honoring God

A fool dishonors the truth in his wife

A coward submits to his wife 

Generations of male sex-predators

And

Delinquent fathers

Have bequeathed us

With a generation of female custody-predators

And

Spiteful children

How many times have you heard?

A MALE CHURCH AUTHORITY

Answer his phone saying,

“It’s the Commander in Chief ”

… A tantrum in the background.

THEY WHICH LEAD US, SPIRITUALLY & CIVILY

Are destroying are path

Their instruction is deceptive

Their example is evident

We can deceive ourselves

We can deceive all others

BUT

We cannot deceive HIM

    Vance