Question: Why does the Lord seem to be lenient with polygamy in the Old Testament? It seems that the Old Testament is full of specific instructions with the exception of polygamy as if the Lord was "ok" with it. Answer: The first thing to notice is the difference, as noted in the question, between being “lenient” and being “‘ok’ with it.” There is sufficient Scripture in the Old Testament to show that God’s intent was for a man to have one wife. In the New Testament, this is explicitly stated as a requirement for elders (“overseers”) and ministers or deacons (1 Tim. 3:2, 12). Yet, in the Old Testament, many prominent servants of God had multiple wives; David and Solomon are notable examples. Examining the issue of divorce sheds light…
The Prophets of Captivity: Jeremiah In December 2004, an earthquake beneath the Indian Ocean created the deadliest series of tsunamis in history. More than 200,000 people died in Indonesia, Thailand, India, and Sri Lanka. Some of the most tragic video footage shows people trying to outrun the seawater as it swallowed up entire cities. I have often thought about the people on higher ground who pulled out their phones to record those scenes. How helpless they must have felt! They had the perspective to see the disaster coming, yet there was nothing they could do. Of course those who perished suffered the greatest loss, but it’s emotional to imagine what it must have been like for the observers, too. Perhaps that sense of helpless grief is what Jeremiah felt as…
One of the most unusual verses of the Bible is Luke 2:52: “Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.” It makes sense that Jesus Christ, as a 12-year-old, grew in stature because physical growth is simply what happens. But how could it be that He grew in wisdom, or in favor with God? How could it be that He increased in favor with His neighbors in Nazareth? Was He imperfect in some way when He was younger? Of course we would affirm that the Lord Jesus was never imperfect in any moral sense. Further, as a 12-year-old He had already engaged in profound conversations about the Scriptures with the teachers of the Law of Moses. Yet somehow, from a human standpoint, He experienced…
So the steward took away their food and the wine they were to drink, and gave them vegetables. As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. Daniel 1:16-17 Azariah gave a heavy sigh as he sat beside me, staring at his lentils and trying to start his meal with a thankful attitude. I could relate with his predicament. Undoubtedly, our God had worked mightily on our behalf when we made our request known ten months ago. The steward was surprised by our determination to carry on with vegetables and water and even more surprised when he could not discern any detriment in our well-being. Yet a greater deliverance was needed now that the…
But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king's food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself. Daniel 1:8 Not to us, O LORD, not to us, But to your name give glory, For the sake of your steadfast loveAnd your faithfulness! Why should the nations say, "Where is their God?” Our God is in the heavens;He does all that he pleases. Their idols are silver and gold, The work of human hands. They have mouths, but do not speak; Eyes, but do not see. They have ears, but do not hear; Noses, but do not smell. They have hands, but do not feel;Feet, but do not walk; And they do not…
