Polygamy and Divorce

[1LoverofGod]

Jacob wouldn't have understood that having several wives was a sin at that time. The Ten Commandments was what introduced adultery

 

[1LoverofGod]

I’m curious how pastors handle polygamy and salvation after the fact. I just see this happening more in our cultural trajectory.

I don't know. I've never come across that situation

 

[Cheeky200386]

I don't know. I've never come across that situation

I’m sure missionaries have had to address this.

 

[1LoverofGod]

I’m sure missionaries have had to address this.

Likely. I'm not sure if missionaries address cultural changes in other countries. That would be an interesting question to ask one

 

[Cheeky200386]

Likely. I'm not sure if missionaries address cultural changes in other countries.

Even when someone has been led to Christ? That wouldn’t make sense especially if it violates scripture and they are asked about it.

 

[1LoverofGod]

Even when someone has been led to Christ? That wouldn’t make sense especially if it violates scripture and they are asked about it.

When someone gets saved, no matter in what culture they came from, they are indwelled by The Holy Spirit and He begins to work on the new believer in transforming them to the mind of Christ.
The more they learn about Jesus teachings the more The Holy Spirit moves them to change into the New Creation they are.
I've heard of situations like in Iran when a Muslim becomes a Christian and make changes contrary to the culture of Muslims, their families disown them most of the time.
But they do make changes as Christians.

 

[Hol]

I heard Mike Winger say that the wives would have a right to divorce but that the husband would be obligated to provide for all of his wives until they decide to remarry. He also shared he wasn’t sure but thought the husband was always being unfaithful with his wives during intercourse.

I appreciate Mike Winger tackling these modern day polygamists.

It’s unfortunate if the wives go along with it. It’s one big adultry mess with their children in the middle.

Back to Jacob, I agree that it wasn’t God’s ideal plan for him to have multiple wives, but God used those circumstances to bring about the 12-tribes of Israel. These outcomes were in an historical context when it was normal for a man to have many wives. That makes sense when we look at womens mortality during childbirth.

To me, if a man in today’s world is a polygamist, he must support all wives and kids. If he gets saved he would ideally consider his first marriage as legit, and continue to support other wives and kids, but become sexually faithful to only his first wife. He could encourage extra wives to seek other husbands.

 

[mattfivefour]

To me, if a man in today’s world is a polygamist, he must support all wives and kids. If he gets saved he would ideally consider his first marriage as legit, and continue to support other wives and kids, but become sexually faithful to only his first wife. He could encourage extra wives to seek other husbands.

This is what I would advise were I ever to come across the situation. I never have and, honestly, had never thought about it until this thread. But based on the teachings of scripture, the only thing that makes sense is that the first wife is the true wife.

Nevertheless, the man has placed the other women into a difficult situation and burdened them with children who have no support. Therefore it would be his responsibility to support the women and their children until somebody else comes into the picture to take and support each woman and their children. But he could have no intimate relations with these women at all.

We can come to those conclusions by drawing on the principles given in the teachings of Scripture.

 

[1LoverofGod]

This is what I would advise were I ever to come across the situation. I never have and, honestly, had never thought about it until this thread. But based on the teachings of scripture, the only thing that makes sense is that the first wife is the true wife.

Nevertheless, the man has placed the other women into a difficult situation and burdened them with children who have no support. Therefore it would be his responsibility to support the women and their children until somebody else comes into the picture to take and support each woman and their children. But he could have no intimate relations with these women at all.

We can come to those conclusions by drawing on the principles given in the teachings of Scripture.

I agree with you
As I had mentioned above in the case of Old Testament servants of God like Jacob having two wives, God may have allowed it but it doesn't mean He approved it. God's intent for marriage is clear from the beginning when He said Adam and his wife would become "one flesh". God never changes. Marriage is between one husband and one wife.
The story behind Jacob having two wives is explained in how Laben had mislead Jacob when he had interest in Rachel from the start and Laben tricked Jacob into marrying Leah first in order to have Rachel for his wife.
God's intent for marriage to be monogamous was always clear but His Command on the matter wasn't given until He presented The Law to Moses.
The Law was given to Israel so they would have more clear understanding of sin and enforce obedience with consequences being added to the breaking of God's Laws.
The Law made adultery clear that God disapproves of sexual relations outside of God's marriage arrangement between one man and one woman.
God never recognized with approval polygamy. He still doesn't approve of it.
As stated in my post above, in the case of a new believer in this situation, as difficult as it may be, only his first wife is recognized by God and it's the right thing to do for the husband to provide materially for the other wives if they don't have the means to provide for themselves at least until they are able to. As for the children involved, the father is always responsible for his children primarily minor children dependent on his provision in a material sense, but is always a father even when the children are grown.
There are many cultures around the world that still practice polygamy but when they become familiar with the God of the Bible and understand marriage according to God's plan, it's in obedience to God to correct the marriage arrangement to one man with one woman.

 

[Batman]

Lots to ask in the eternal state and that includes if adultery was adultery even before Moses and the 10 commandments, did Abraham knowingly commit adultery with Hagar, could Adam have taken dozens, even thousands of wives in his long life time, would Eve have been ok to take dozens, even thousands of husbands in her long life time, etc., etc. The early mankind marrying of brothers/sisters, etc. creeps a lot of people out so this stuff is steeped in creepiness too.

 

[Ghoti Ichthus]

I would say that the man is married to all of his wives.
Not the ideal, as in one man, one woman, but at that time and place, polygamy was culturally acceptable, and multiple wives were viewed positively because of the numerous children.

However, the man is disqualified from being a Deacon, Elder, Pastor, Bishop because he is not the husband of one wife.

And, the Bible says to remain in whatever state one is when one becomes saved, and in verse 29 below, the plural "wives" in used.

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.
20Let 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.
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.
26 I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be.
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. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you.
29 But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none;
1 Corinthians 7:17-29, KJV


There are muslim men here, who have up to four wives (all that is permitted under modern muslim law). In all cases I'm aware of, all or all but one marriage occurred in another country.
Under State law, he is only married to the first wife, and only his first wife and the children from her, count for government benefits, etc. If he was already married when he got married here, the State treats the marriage here as bigamy because he wasn't legally able to marry under State law.

However, under State law, he must provide for all of his biological children financially.

Many muslim men in this position get four-plexes and each wife has her own place, and he decides where he will spend each night. In reality, there is usually a schedule unless there's sickness, a special occasion, pregnancy, or trying to get pregnant. Or favorite(s). Some polygamous families have family dinners, study time, etc. together, share chores, etc., and rotate which home. Or the Senior Wife (usually the first wife, but not always) decides who does what, where.