If you are a Christian man, you may only have one wife. The New Testament teaches that marriage is between one man and one woman and is a picture of the relationship between Jesus and his “bride,” his most faithful followers. In Ephesians 5:22-33, we learn a man and a woman unite into one flesh at marriage. This pictures how Jesus and His church are united as one in character and in purpose to glorify God.
Ephesians 5 also teaches a husband and a wife should love and respect each other. Jesus has tender, caring love for his bride, while the bride feels loving respect for Jesus. Verses 31-32 summarize with, “For this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church.” (See also Matthew 19:5, 6 and 1 Timothy 3:2, 21, “husband of one wife.”)
When God established the ordinances of the Law or gives us a picture or an example that represents something higher, He has taught us to be very careful about obeying it.
For example: The Ark of the Tabernacle was to be carried with two long poles going through rings on the sides of the ark. Four Levites were to use those poles to carry the ark. They were never to touch it. However, King David and the priests did not read the Law. They decided to transport the ark on a cart. "They moved the ark of God from Abinadab’s house on a new cart, with Uzzah and Ahio guiding it…When they came to the threshing floor of Kidon, Uzzah reached out his hand to steady the ark, because the oxen stumbled. The LORD’s anger burned against Uzzah, and He struck him down because he had put his hand on the ark. So he died there before God,” 1 Chronicles 13:7-10.
Uzzah was trying to protect the ark from falling off the cart. But God struck him down because Uzzah was disobedient. God's instructions and types are very important.
Therefore, let us be very careful to obey God's picture of marriage. Let one Christian man have one Christian wife, because our marriages picture the holy marriage between Jesus and his one bride. God's arrangements will always prove to be the best course and will yield the most blessings!
Additional Resource:
Christian Questions Podcast
Episode #1241: Is It a Sin if I...? (Part II)
Discussing sex and sin-related questions using biblical principles
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