The same rubric can be applied when reading of polygamy, concubines, and so forth. The clearest example is in 1 Kings 11, where Solomon continues his desecration of the Deuteronomy 17 standards and pursues other women. The outcome is destruction.
And so, we can read the actions of David and other kings in the same way. Even for Abraham or Gideon, those who had ruling authority before Israel had true kings, the same standard of the moral law is broken in their sin.
And, it’s important to see the ultimate outcome. Though Scripture does not explicitly condemn the polygamy/immorality at every location it exists, the kingdom of Israel gets what it deserves. It ends up in exile. In Deuteronomy 28:15-68, God had made clear that life would not work out for the law-breaking nation. Sexual immorality – polygamy included – should be seen on the list of sins that drove that nation into exile.
In sum, polygamy and other forms of immorality are a disgusting entrant into the kingdom of God.
But here is the joy of the believer today. Now, the kingdom of God is ruled in a new and particular way by the risen King Jesus. In His reign, He has brought renewed clarity to how the kingdom of God must be. He is the ultimate Deuteronomy 17 King: teaching us His law, not depending on the horses of the world for help, purchasing His one bride, and teaching us to do likewise (see Matthew 19:4-6).
Even Ephesians 5:22-33 (a clear monogamous passage) comes to us under the rule of King Jesus (see Ephesians 1:18-22, where Christ is raised above every name). A new clarity on monogamy and sexual purity comes in the New Testament under our perfect Deuteronomy 17 King.
We grieve the failures of the imperfect Old Testament models of kingship. We rejoice in our perfect King.
So then, what would I say to those audiences I noted at the beginning who struggle with these questions (struggling men, hurting women, Bible students, and culture)? 4 brief thoughts:
1. To the man struggling with sexual sin: Across Scripture, God abhors sexual immorality. His own Son had to come as King to pay for the sins of the sexually immoral among His own people. Do not trample underfoot the Son of God as you continue in sexual immorality (Heb. 10:29)!
2. To the woman hurting as she reads the Old Testament: Jesus wept as well over the sin of the nation of Israel (Matthew 23:37-39). He grieves, and He cares when His people break the law. He values women and their life in the church, and He protects the helpless.
3. To the culture: Jesus had strong words for those who abuse His clear word (Matthew 23). Do not distort the Bible’s clear teaching on morality and marriage!
4. To the confused Bible reader and to everyone: Learn to live the life of Hebrews 11 faith. There, we learn to learn from and look to the likes of noted great sinners such as Abraham, Moses, Gideon, and Samson as heroes of faith, all while acknowledging their failures. We can read and profit from the infallible Scriptures written by men who stumbled in this area.
But ultimately, Hebrews 11 faith becomes Hebrews 12:1-2 faith, “looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
This article originally appeared here.
