Notes on Polygamy.

or better worded: Bible study notes

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Polygamy?

Polygamy? Draft notes

To the sane married man, this is a rather scary concept. I mean YES, I LOVE my wife!

But seriously, polygamy? I've seen that spread the National Geographic did on the Mormons. It could serve as a deterrent to deviant thoughts. Those Mormon women look pretty rough....

Polygamy is of course a biblical concept and God used the polygamous relationships of Abraham, Sarah, Hagar and Keturah to present His allegory of covenants. Thus we can and should determine that Abraham's polygamy was God ordained, and moreover, that this is a beneficial area of Torah (i.e. Bible - all Bible) study.

Note the prophecy that says in the end times people will be marrying and giving in marriage:

Matt. 24:v37 But as-altogether the days of-the Noah, thus will-be also the presence of-the son of-the MAN.

v38 For as-altogether in the days, namely-the-(ones) before the flood, they-were chewing and drinking, marrying and giving-in-marriage until which day Noah went-in into the ark,

v39 And they did not come-to-know, till the flood came and it-removed quite-all (persons); thus will-be the presence of-the son of-the MAN.

This marrying and giving in marriage may be normal activity or increased activity. That is, it could be seen as just normal activity: people continue to marry. It could also be seen as saying promiscuity will increase. It may refer to polygamy; note that Jesus equated sexual relations with marriage:

It seems that Jesus referenced that the Law of Moses regarding remarriage was against the will of YHVH. Gasp. the Law of Moses was against the will of YHVH!

Matt.19: v3 And the Pharisees came-near to-him trying him, and saying to-him, If it-is-legitimate for-(a)-MAN to-release his wife according-to every reason?

v4 But the-(one) having-answered said to-them, Read-YOU not that the-(one) having-made from beginning he-made them male and female,

v5 And said, On-account-of this (a) MAN will-Leave-behind the father and the mother, and he-will-be-very-united to-his wife, and the two will-be with-reference-to one flesh?

v6 So-that they-are no-more two, BUT one flesh. What-(thing) therefore the God paired-together, let not MAN be-separating.

v7 They-are-saying to-him, Why therefore commanded Moses to-give (a) little-book of-a-bill-of-divorce, and to-release her?

v8 He-is-saying to-them, that Moses toward the hardness-of YOUR heart permitted to-YOU to-release YOUR wives; but from beginning it-has not come-to-be-nor-is thus.

v9 But I-am-saying to-YOU, that whosoever might-release his wife unless on prostitution, and he-might-marry another, he-is-committing-adultery; and the-(one) having-married (one)-having-been-and-still-released, he-is-committing-adultery.

v10 His disciples are-saying to-him, If the reason of-the MAN with the wife is thus, it-is not being-advantageous to-marry.

v11 But the-(one) said to-them, Not all are-having-room-for this word, BUT to-whom it-has-been-and-is-still-given;

v12 For ones-who are eunuchs out-of mother's belly were-born thus, and ones-who were-made-eunuchs are eunuchs by the MEN, and ones-who made themselves eunuchs are eunuchs because-of the kingdom of-the heavens. The (one) being-able to-be-making-room, let-him-be-making-room. (& compare Mark 10, Eph 5:30-32, Gen 2:24)

Note Jesus' comment on a commandment of Moses:

Mark 10v5 And the Jesus having-answered said to-them, Toward YOUR hardness-of-heart he-wrote this commandment for-YOU;

This may (&may not) be seen to give evidence of an "oral torah", and also evidence that Jesus either did not consider it valid or he invalidated it at this time, or both. This is to say that there is/was an "Oral Law", but it did not come from YHVH, as it says "Moses wrote ALL the words of YHVH" (Ex.24:4), a verse upon which in 17 volumes the Babylonian Talmud remains silent....

At any rate, if there IS an "oral Torah", Mk.10:5 points to it being Deuteronomy with "he (Moses) wrote".

Next, Matt.19:6 " But from beginning of-creation the God made them male and female". This again alludes to "So-that they-are no-more two, BUT one flesh. What-(thing) therefore the God paired-together, let not MAN be-separating." That is, the state of echad that God created man in as male and female is the desired "goal" and is now achieved through the unity of man and woman in marriage. (Eve was taken out of Adam's side/rib...Jesus told Thomas to put your hand (or yourself) in my side (or inside Me). Jesus was very merciful to Thomas to show us that His Lovingkindness endures forever...Jesus brought Thomas into a state of "echad" with Him - that is, Jesus cleaved to Thomas, and the two were one/echad...

Malachi 2:16 "for I hate putting away, saith Jehovah, the God of Israel..."

Jesus said that not knowing-absolutely the Power of God and the scriptures made the scribes lead themselves astray:

Matthew 22: v23 In that day Sadducees came-near to-him, the-(ones) saying not to-be (a) resurrection, and they-questioned him,

v24 Saying, Teacher, Moses said, If someone might-die-off not having children, his brother will-marry-after his wife, and he-will-stand-up seed to his brother.

v25 But there-were beside us seven brothers; and the first having-married came-to-an-end, and not having-seed he-let-be his wife to his brother.

v26 Likewise the second also, and the third, till the seven-(ones).

v27 But later (than)-all the woman also died-off.

v28 Therefore in the resurrection of-which of-the seven will-she-be-wife? For all had her.

v29 But having-answered the Jesus said to-them, YOU-are-leading-yourselves-astray, not-knowing-absolutely the scriptures, neither the power of-the God.

v30 For in the resurrection they-are neither marrying nor being-given-in-marriage, BUT they-are as angels of-the God in heaven.

v31 But concerning the resurrection of-the dead-(ones), read-YOU not the-(thing) said to-YOU by the God, saying,

v32 I myself-am the God of-Abraham and the God of-Isaac and the God of-Jacob? The God is not God of-dead-(ones), BUT of-living-(ones).

v33 And the crowds having-heard were-being-surprised upon his doctrine.

(& compare Mark 12, Luke 20)

Note Jesus does not reference the wives of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Additionally, regarding polygamy, the Holy Spirit only says not for a bishop/overseer and ministers in the New Testament assembly:

1 Tim.3 v2 It-is-essential therefore the overseer to-be irreproachable, husband of-one wife, sober, of-sound-mind, orderly, loving-stranger, apt-at-teaching,

v3 Not addicted-to-wine, not one-ready-with-a-blow, BUT lenient, not-fighting, not-loving-silver,

v4 Standing-before (his) own household rightly, having children in subjection with all augustness,

v5 But if some-one is not knowing-absolutely (how) to-stand-before his-own household, how will-he-care-for (an) assembly of-God?

v6 Not (one) newly-converted, in-order-that having-been-puffed-up he-might not fall-into with-reference-to sentence of-the devil.

v7 But it-is-essential also to-be-having fine witness from the (ones) outside, in-order-that he-might not fall-into with-reference-to reproach and snare of-the devil.

v8 Ministers in-the-same-way (to-be) august, not double-worded, not paying-attention to-much wine, not fond-of-shameful-gain,

v9 Holding the mystery of-the trust in clean conscience.

v10 But also let these be-being-proved firstly, afterwards let-them-be-ministering being unreprovable.

v11 Women in-the-same-way (to-be) august, not slanderous, sober, trustworthy in all-things.

v12 Let ministers be husbands of-one woman, standing rightly before of-children and of-their-own households.

v13 For the (ones) having-ministered rightly are-themselves-preserving for-themselves (a) fine step and much boldness-of-speech in trust, the (trust) in Messiah Jesus.

Likewise an "elder" in the 1st century assembly:

Titus 1: v6 If someone is unreprovable, husband of-one woman, having trustworthy children, not in accusation of-dissipation or insubordination.

This indicates that polygamy existed in the N.T. assembly at this time.

So apparently polygamy is allowed by Law, but is not the will of the Father (!), as the will of YHVH is that "a man shall cleave to his wife, and the two shall be echad (Gen 2:24, Eph5:30-32). So too then apparent is that this "echad" is not "forever" IF in the regeneration/resurrection there is no marrying (first shadow)- UNLESS it is only referencing an additional marrying (that is, a man and wife are always echad even in the resurrection, only they don't marry another in the post resurrection times (2nd shadow).

IN the first shadow (above), if the "echad" does not endure forever then neither should the substance of the shadow, i.e. the great mystery of the "church", or better assembly, which is the body of Messiah, as in echad with Messiah. Of course we are saying/hoping that that "echad" is forever...

I'll note that Eve was created a wife and was never a bride, and that the foot cannot marry the head... Further, there is the concept of Israel the Bride and the Christian/Messianic N.T. assembly as the bride/wife as one created to stand alongside. This shows that Messiah already HAS a "wife" when he "marries" Israel!? .

So then arises the question of Jacob, Rachel, & Leah: Which two or three are one/echad? Of course also to consider there is Abraham, Sarah, Keturah & Hagar (note the text says "Abraham added a wife" Gen.25:1 and note "concubines" plural in 25:6), David and his wives, including Bathsheba (an adulteress in the lineage of Yeshua!), Solomon and his 1000 women not of valor, and so forth.

With Abraham we can see that he had a wife before Sarah/Isaac. He also had at least 6 other sons and sent them away to the east "while he yet lived" (Gen.25:6) which is not necessarily "divorce" and even Jewish teaching is that Keturah and Hagar are the same (they are then claiming that there was a reconciliation later between Hagar & Abraham. However, this vanity of thinking Abraham was too holy to have multiple wives is just that, vanity, and scripture states "Abraham added a wife" Gen25:1.) All this should point out that God can do what he wants to do....He can have His cake and His candy too...He can and does work primarily (to the Jew first) to the Jew; but also to the gentile.

In the Messianic assembly, as in Judaism, Abraham, Isaac & Jacob are sometimes more or less venerated as gods. Thus this topic of multiple wives is not readily discussed today, however within this, as within all the Word, YHVH's amazing grace, will, presence and power may be seen. God established his covenant with Abraham and Isaac (before Isaac was born!) and ALSO blessed Ishmael (Gen.17:19,20). In the Messianic assembly, it is often pronounced that God doesn't change, and that means that his commandments do not change. Certainly what Yeshua said still applies, "YOU-are-leading-yourselves-astray, not-knowing-absolutely the scriptures, neither the power of-the God."

It is showing that salvation (Yeshuah) is ALSO to the Gentiles....There is a New and Better Covenant in effect NOW! Praise Yah! Perhaps it should be noted that "Yeshuah" is a feminine noun, where as "Yeshua" is a masculine noun....again, "This mystery is great!" says the Holy Spirit in Eph. 5:32...

Sarah and Hagar

First, a word on The Word on The Word

Romans 9v1 "I-am-saying truth in Messiah, I-am not lying, my conscience witnessing-together with-me in (the) Holy Spirit,"

Galatians 4v30 BUT what is-saying the scripture? You-cast-out the maidservant and her son; for by-no-means will the son of-the maidservant inherit with the son of-the free-woman.

with 1 Pe.1:25, Rev.1:17-18, Isa.44:6, Rev.22.13,16, Jn.1:1,14, Phil 2:5-11, Isa.45:18-23, Matt. 24:35, Rom.7:1-4, Gal.4:21-31, Romans 9 &10, Hebrews 8,9 &10, Ro.11:26-28, 2 Pe.2:21

1Peter 1:25 (ASV 1901) "But the word of the Lord abideth for ever. And this is the word of good tidings which was preached unto you. "

(A Consistent Translation) But the saying of-Jehovah is-remaining into the age. But this is the saying namely-the good-news-having-been-brought with-reference-to YOU

The Gospels - The good news of the Messiah - are the Word/Saying of the Yahweh.

2 Timothy 3:16 "All scripture (is) God-breathed and profitable toward teaching, toward reproof, toward correction, toward discipline the (discipline) in justice."

If we believe 1Timothy to be inspired scripture, we MUST believe that the above passage reflects this belief also.

Matthew 4v4 But the (one) having-answered said, It-has-been-and-is-still-written, Not upon bread only will MAN live, BUT upon every saying proceeding-out through (the) mouth of-God

John 10:30 "I and the Father are one."

The Word is NEVER lost or hidden from man. The "true version written in Hebrew" is not buried in the bowels of the Vatican. The truth always has been and always will be readily available to man.

The fact of the enduring Word is supported in The "Old" Testament:

Psalm 12: 6&7
vs6 "The words of Jehovah are pure words; As silver tried in a furnace on the earth, Purified seven times.
vs7 Thou wilt keep them, O Jehovah, Thou wilt preserve them from this generation for ever. "

John 1v1 The Word was in (the) beginning, and the Word was with the God, and the Word was God.

v14 And the Word came-to-be flesh, and he-tabernacled among us, and we-beheld his glory, glory as of-(an) only-begotten from (the) Father full of-favor and truth.

This is what Jesus said about His words:

Mat 24:35 The heaven and the earth will-go-past, but by-no-means might my words go-past.

From these passages, we know absolutely that nothing in the Old or New Testaments is lost. This makes Bible study a little more challenging, because it does not allow us to make things up to fit our doctrine. We actually have to study to show ourselves approved unto God. Fortunately, we don't have to know everything. This fact is produced Paul's letter to the Corinthians:

I COR.13v12 For just-now we-are-looking through (a) mirror in (an) enigma, but then face to face; just-now I-am-coming-to-know out-of part, but then I-shall-come-to-know-thoroughly-for-myself according-as also I-came-to-be-known-thoroughly.
13 But at-this-instant trust, hope, charity (are) remaining, these three things; but the charity (is) (the) greater of-these.

SO, then, we can trust Paul's Word...

Galatians 4v30 BUT what is-saying the scripture? You-cast-out the maidservant and her son; for by-no-means will the son of-the maidservant inherit with the son of-the free-woman.

Oct 28

Paul writes that he writes(says) "in the Holy Spirit".

with

Rom.7:1-4,

Gal.4:21-31,

Romans 9 &10,

Hebrews 8,9 &10,

Ro.11:26-28, 2 Pe.2:21

Romans 9v1 "I-am-saying truth in Messiah, I-am not lying, my conscience witnessing-together with-me in (the) Holy Spirit,"

v2 That it-is great grief to-me and unceasing pain in my heart;
v3 For I-was-wishing I myself to-be anathema from the Messiah in-behalf-of my brothers, my relatives according-to flesh,
v4 They-who are Israelites, of-whom the adoption-as-son and the glory and the covenants and the giving-of-law and the service and the promises,
v5 Of-whom the fathers, and out-of whom the Messiah according-to the flesh; the (one) being over all (things) God blessed with-reference-to the ages, amen.
v6 But not such-as that the word of-the God has-and-is-still-fallen-away. For not all the (ones) out-of Israel, these (are) Israel;
v7 Neither because they-are seed of-Abraham, (are) all children, BUT: in Isaac seed will-be-called to-you.
v8 This is, not the children of-the flesh these children of-the God, BUT the children of-the promise (are) being-figured with-reference-to seed.

v9 For the word of-promise (is) this: According-to this season I-shall-come and (a) son will-be to-the Sara.
v10 But not only (she), BUT Rebecca having conjugal-bed out-of one (man), Isaac our father;
v11 For not-yet having-been-born nor having practised anything good or worthless, in-order-that the plan of-the God according-to choice might-be-remaining,
v12 Not out-of works BUT out-of the (one) calling, it-was-said to-her that The greater will-be-slave to-the lesser;
v13 Even-as it-has-been-and-is-still-written: I-cherished the Jacob but I-hated the Esau.

Note, God hated Esau, but was "with" Ishmael, even though He said to cast him out....

Interesting allegories -
The flesh/The Spirit ~ Sinai/New covenant,
Hagar/Sarah ~ Sinai/New covenant,
Esau/Jacob ~ Sinai/New covenant now,

The Esau I hated; yet YHVH was with Ishmael. The Gospel was preached - at Isaiah 52:1, but not all heard at Isaiah 53:1. Perhaps the severity of God's love changes with the Cross/advent/our death to the law (Ro.7:1-4) of/in Messiah Jesus from "YHVH was with Ishmael" (the cast out son of the cast out maidservant) to "the Esau I hated" (the works of the flesh after the freedom from the Sinai covenant -Ro.7:1-4). Perhaps Esau HERE relates to Christians that "go back under the law"? The outcome of such is worse than if they had known nothing (Heb.9:29-30).

- as Sarah represents the New Covenant and Hagar represents the Sinai Covenant, so too here Esau represents the works of the law (vs12) and Jacob represents the mercy calling of God...and so also the "righteousness of the law" equates to Esau and Sinai and the "righteousness of God" equates to spiritual Sarah, the New Covenant, as follows...

Now, NOT TO WORRY, the song of Moses, the bondservant, AND the song of the Lamb WILL be sung...Rev.15:3-4 (YHVH is with Ishmael too...and all Israel shall be saved Ro.11:26-28, 2 Pe.2:21) "

Cont. Romans 9:
v15 For to-the Moses he-is saying: I-shall-have-mercy-on whomever I-might-be-having-mercy, and I-shall-pity whomever I-might-be-pitying.
v16 So therefore (it-is) not of-the (one) willing nor of-the (one) running, BUT of-the God having-mercy.
v17 For the scripture is-saying to-the Pharaoh that With-reference-to this same thing I-raised you out, in-which-case I-might-demonstrate in you my power, and in-which-case my name might-be-announced in all the earth.
v18 So therefore he-is-having-mercy-on whom he-is-willing, but whom he-is-willing he-is-hardening.

v30 What therefore shall-we-say? That nations the (ones) not pursuing justice, it (they)-apprehended justice, but justice the (one) out-of trust?
v31 But Israel pursuing (a) law of-justice came not first with-reference-to (the) law.
v32 Because-of what? Because not out-of trust BUT as out-of works of-law they-stumbled on-the stone of-the stumbling,
v33 According-as it-has-been-and-is-still-written: Behold I-am-placing in Sion (a) stone of-stumbling and (a) rock of-entrapment, and the (one) trusting on him will not be-disgraced.

A digression on this stumbling:

Galatians 4:v21 YOU-be-saying to-me, the (ones) willing to-be under law, are-YOU not hearing the law?
v22 For it-has-been-and-still-is-written that Abraham had two sons, one out-of the maidservant and one out-of the free-woman.
v23 BUT-on-the-one-hand the (one) out-of the maidservant has-been-and-is-begotten according-to flesh, on-the-other-hand the (one) out-of the free-woman through the promise.
v24 Which-things are being-allegorized; for these (women) are two covenants, on-the-one-hand one from mount Sinai, bearing with-reference-to slavery, one-who is Hagar.
v25 But the Hagar is mount Sinai in the Arabia; but it-is-being-in-line-together to-the now Jerusalem, for she-is-being-a-slave with her children.
v26 But the above Jerusalem is free, one-who is our mother;
v27 For it-has-been-and-is-still-written: You-be-made-merry, barren, the (one) not bringing-forth, you-rend-asunder and you-shout, the (one) not suffering-birth-pains, because many (are) the children of-the desolate more than of-the (one) having the husband.
v28 But YOU, brothers, are-yourselves children of-promise according-to Isaac.
v29 BUT as-altogether then the (one) having-been-begotten according-to flesh was-persecuting the (one) according-to Spirit, thus also now.
v30 BUT what is-saying the scripture? You-cast-out the maidservant and her son; for by-no-means will the son of-the maidservant inherit with the son of-the free-woman.
v31 On-this-account, brothers, we-are not children of-a-maidservant BUT of-the free-woman.

Note vs 30: The scripture says to cast out the Sinai Covenant (the maidservant and her son).

Romans 7v1 Or are-YOU-being-ignorant, brothers, for I-am-speaking to-(ones)-coming-to-know law, that the law is-exercising-lordship of-the MAN on as-long time as he-is-living?
v2 For the woman under-a-husband has-been-and-is-still-bound by-law to-the living husband; but if the husband might-die-off, she-has-been-and-is still-rendered-inactive from the law of-the husband.
v3 So therefore, while the husband (is) living, she-will-be-termed (an) adulteress if she-might-become to-(a)-different man; but if the husband might-die-off, she-is free from the law, she (will) not be (an) adulteress having-become to-(a)-different man.
v4 So-that, my brothers, YOU yourselves also were-put-to-death to-the law through the body of-the Messiah, with-reference-to YOU to-become to-(a)-different (one), to-the (one) having-been-raised out-of dead (ones), in-order-that we-might-bring-forth-fruit to-the God.

This is a narrow path: IF you trust in Jesus AND claim a need to follow the Sinai Covenant, you in fact commit spiritual adultery by "remarrying Hagar"...

http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Articles/Hagar_and_Sarah/hagar_and_sarah.html

http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Scripture/Parashah/Summaries/Pinchas/The_Mitzvah/the_mitzvah.html
End Digression

Romans, chapter 10 The Righteousness of the God is the Righteousness of trust: the righteousness out of the law is vanity:
v1 Brothers, on-the-one-hand the well-thinking of my heart and the petition to the God in-behalf-of the Israeli is with-reference-to salvation.
v2 For I-am-bearing-witness to-them that they-are-having (a) zeal of-God, BUT not according-to thorough-knowledge;
v3 For being-ignorant-of the righteousness of-the God, and seeking to-make-stand their-own righteousness*, they-were not subjected to-the righteousness of-the God.

*note- vanity
v4 For Messiah (is) finish of-law with-reference-to righteousness to-every (one) trusting.
v5 For Moses is-writing the righteousness the (one) out-of the law, that the MAN having-done them will-himself-live in them.
v6 But the righteousness out-of trust is-saying thus: Might-you not say in your heart: Who will-ascend into the heaven? This is to-lead-down Messiah;
v7 Or: Who will-descend into the abyss? This is to-lead-up Messiah out-of dead (ones).
v8 BUT what is-it-saying? The saying is near you, in your mouth and in your heart; the saying of-the trust which we-are-preaching is this;
v9 That if you-might-confess with your mouth Jehovah Jesus, and you-might-trust in your heart that the God raised him out-of dead (ones), you-will-be-saved;
v10 For with-heart he-is-being-trusted with-reference-to righteousness, but with-mouth he-is-being-confessed with-reference-to salvation.
v11 For the scripture is-saying: Every one trusting on him will not be-disgraced.
v12 For (there) is not strict-order both of-Jew and of Greek. For the same Jehovah of-all, being-rich with-reference-to all the (ones) calling-on him;
v13 For every (one) whosoever might-call-on the name of-Jehovah will-be-saved.

Next, speaking of divorce and remarriage...and the woman of valor. "A greater than Solomon is here"....

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Abraham's three wives

http://www.agsconsulting.com/htdbv5/r4439b.htm

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Consider the prophecy of polygamy by Isaiah:

Isa4:1 "And seven women shall take hold of one man in that day, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name; take thou away our reproach."

Let's hope this references the seven "churches" in Revelation...

http://www.cotopaxi-colorado.com/Torah-Torah.htm

Reproduction for instruction is permitted.