I’ll try and make this post short but its going to be long, but with recent “actions” on the part of Governor Spitzer and such articles I felt some thoughts were needed. Before we get too far into this post - I suggest Spitzer’s problem is inherent in human nature or as we like to call it in the church “SIN”.

Recently I completed the book of First Samuel and something always confused me - David is a real sexual guy. Maybe his more like Spitzer and maybe given God votes for these types of men for leadership - let’s be honest. David was bored and then he sees Bathsheba and all wisdom goes out the door. The people of God loved David and loved his son Solomon and both were not short of sexual hunger or partners.

What confuses me is why does God give them multiple wives? Why does He allow polygamy? What about Adam and Even (no more Eve’s, right)? God did not expressly forbid multiple wives; but, he did desire that they only have one wife. Also the Bible doesn’t have any passages that say anything good about having multiple partners. Actually the first time God distinctly says one wife is in Deuteronomy 17:17 (He must not take many wives, or his heart will be led astray (i.e. SIN)…), after this point it all gets confusing. Between this time and the coming of Christ many patriarchs of scripture had more than one wife or at least a wife and a concubine or slave girl who bore them children. So having multiple partners was something God tolerated, but did not necessarily condone. Just look at the precedent for God tolerating divorce (Matt 19:8).

I know some disagree that God “just tolerated it” and point to when Nathan condemns David for his affair with Bathsheba (2 Sam 12:7-8). They would imply that God states that He gave David his wives (plural). That the text suggests that God is not simply tolerating the practice, but God is taking an active part in giving David multiple wives. Plus God would have given David more if he had but asked. These people advocate at certain times, God did more than just tolerated bigamy. At times He actually condoned it. But his line of thinking is flawed because God is say He gave Saul’s kingdom (wives, belongs, etc) to David, not that He gave him wives for pleasure. This is God taking the kingdom and giving it to another.

Here is my belief - and since today is my 4th anniversary I think you can guess - I’m a one woman man. The New Testament is very clear (1 Cor. 7:1-2 1; 1Tim 3:2, 3:12, Titus 1:6) you are to be married to one incredible woman (or man if you’re a she) for a lifetime - which makes the situation pretty clear. Governor Spitzer you have sin problem and you’re lucky your wife is still standing there because where God doesn’t tolerate adultery, He does tolerate divorce.

~ Chris

Categories: Thoughts