Multiplying Wives

“Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.”

— Deuteronomy 17:17

Willem de Poorter — The Idolatry of King Solomon, Public Domain Image

God’s will for marriage is this: “Therefore [marriage] shall A man shall cleave unto his WIFE [singular], and they shall be one flesh.”[1] The first polygamist in the Bible was Lamech, a descendant of Cain. In keeping with their father, Cain’s descendants became great and skillful in many trades, they built cities, invented and innovated across many fields, and amassed great fortunes. Our study verse in context refers to the conduct of kings but it is profitable for us all to remember. In the same breath that the law forbids Israel’s king to multiply wives it also prohibits amassing and hoarding great wealth.

There is a connection here between polygamy and covetousness. There lies at the root of the practice a refusal to be content with the goodness that God has ordained for us, a union that is patterned on Christ’s love for His church.[2] Scripture equates covetousness with idolatry[3]. The reason the king must not multiply wives is so that his heart turn not away, as Solomon’s did when he had amassed a harem of pagan women[4]. In all things we must learn contentment with what the Lord has given us.

“Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth…And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?” — Proverbs 5:18-20

Amen.

Scripture References: [1] Gen 2:24 [2] Eph 5:25 [3] Col 3:5 [4] Neh 13:26

Godly Sorrow

For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

2 Corinthians 7:10

If the laws of God are written in your heart then you will be moved to godly sorrow when you violate them. Your sin will sicken you until you draw nigh to the redeemer and lay it at the foot of the cross. You will flee to Christ because you'll know that there is no other source of truth in the world.

....I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

John 14:6

This sort of sorrow is not derived from fear, but a reverence for the Creator. It is acknowledgement of our utter weakness and our need for God's love.

This is unlike the sorrow of the world which reacts to material needs, the fear of death, and pessimistic news reports. As much as we grieve the things of this world, there is no salvation to be found here. There is no rest for us even when our temporal needs are met.

We all have fears, but for the faithful there is nothing is more troubling than realizing we've sinned against God. The loss of possessions, elections, health, or anything in this life, pales in comparison to knowing that we've crossed the Lord. We are driven to repentance at the slightest transgression and the only relief from the burden is the assurance of redemption through Jesus Christ.

Glory be to God.

Photo Credit: Alex Shute - Unsplash.com

The Curse of the Law

“Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them.”

— Deuteronomy 27:26

Moses At Mount Sinai - Jacques De Letin, public domain image

Here lies the curse of the Law the Apostle speaks of in Galatians 3:10. To work your way to heaven you must take no days off. There are no sick days and no excuses. If you break one commandment, you are as cursed as if you had broken all of them. The Lord says, “Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.”[1]

Even the most prideful rich young ruler who says in his heart, “All these have I kept form my youth” cannot boast of what Law he will keep tomorrow. “Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.”[2] All of yesterday’s good deeds cannot compensate for tomorrow’s sin. “…When the righteous turneth away from his righteousness , and committeth iniquity….all his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them he shall die.” [3]

This is what makes the path of works righteousness impossible. That, and the fact that unregenerate human nature will not seek to obey or glorify God at all whatsoever[4]. The carnal mind itself is enmity against God says Romans 8:7. Not at enmity, is enmity, and therefore cannot by itself be in continuous subjection to the perfect, holy, righteous law of God. That is why Jesus offers rest to those who are heavy laden,[5] and comfort to those who mourn.[6] “The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart, and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”[7]

But make no mistake about it, that same precious psalm also says “Evil shall slay the wicked, and they that that the righteous shall be desolate.”[8] And who is “the righteous” spoken of in psalm 34? “There is none good, but one, that is, God,” [9] and those who harden their hearts against His offer of grace will find the face of the Lord against them[10] on the day of judgment.

“Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little.” — Psalm 2:12

And all the people shall say, Amen.

Scripture references: [1] Ezk 18:4 [2] Prov 27:1 [3] Ezk 18:24 [4] Ps 14:2-3 [5] Mth 11:28 [6] Mth 5:4 [7] Ps 34:18 [8] Ps 34:21 [9] Mk 10:18 [10] Ps 34:16