Why was it okay for Jacob to have two wives?

[Rachel72]

I don't understand why God allowed for any man to have more than one wife. And, if those wives could not bear children, then the men would sleep with their servant or slave girls?

I look at how Jacob was protected by Laban, Rachel and Leah's father, and how God blessed him with sheep and riches, and children. How can this be okay? He was protected against Laban when he tried to trick Jacob out of having the unspotted sheep. But, God blessed Jacob and didn't let this trickery happen.

Why was it okay for Jacob to have slave girls? What right does he have to enslave someone? Is this not what we started to fight against not too long ago?

And, why is this not all right today? Not that I want another husband, lol, but why is sin so prevalent today, when what they did in the OT was practically the same thing, sex without marriage, or two wives, or sleeping with another woman?

Is there something that I need to know about the OT, while I am reading it, to help me understand better. I don't know if God condoned what Jacob did, or allowed him to do it, but He sure blessed his socks off.

Thanks for any answers...

Rachel72

[tah]

There were all kinds of rules and laws and ways of doing things in the Old Testament that we do not do today..

the way they ate..

they way the dealt with illness...

every 7 years the bond servants were set free...

every 50 years the property was returned to the rightful owners

and before Jesus the lineage was really important as it was prophesied ..

It was important to carry on the "family name" and when they did not trust God they did it in their own strength, which was trouble for everyone...

Isa 11:10 And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.

after the temple was destroyed the lineage was no longer kept as it was recorded and kept in the temple ...there is no longer a record of lineage...it is no longer needed ...He who was to come is here...

if I have my history correct..I am sure if I got it wrong someone here will know and correct me.

With the "new testament" the rules changed...

I hope someone with more of an ability to expound on this will reply for you...

God is just in all He does and all He allows...whether in the old or the new...

[Mark777]

What about Matthew 19:5-9

"And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery."

It sounds like Jesus meant there to be one man and one woman - they become one flesh.

I ask, why would a man need more than one wife? The answer can't be good.

I think plural wives were traditions of the cultures that the patriarchs passed through - and were from. People had grown away from the original intent of God because of the growth of sin. The law was not given then but I think Jesus says that it was meant for there to be only two in the union of marriage.

[Openly Curious]

I agree with butero, tah and Mark

OC

[GodisTruth]

I remember reading in the NT, that although they allowed more than one wife before, but they should only have one now. I think it was 1 or 2 Peter, but I don't remember where. Maybe someone can help.

[Guest Car54WhereRU]

Maybe God didn't punish Jacob or others for having more than one wife cause that was punishment enough........

[tah]

wife in New Testament

thought this highlighted the subject pretty good..of one wife...

[Mark777]

Tah,

Scripture is always best!

[tah]

Mark..the link is nothing but the Scripture with the word wife highlighted...

[Mark777]

I know, Tah! I thought it was cool of you to post it.

Mark