POLYGAMOUS MAN CAN’T TREAT WIVES IMPARTIALLY

Sir,

Our Lord Jesus Christ just before He was betrayed by Judas Iscariot, in the Book of John, prayed a very moving prayer which has inspired millions of true believers world-wide, for generations.

He prayed to God, the Father, to protect His disciples and those who will adhere to His teachings, from the hostile world.
In John 17, He appealed to His Father to “sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth”.

For those who may not know or choose to ignore it, the Word of God is every word contained in the Bible. He speaks to us through the Bible; hence it is called ‘the Word of God’

impunity

True believers strive or rather, should do all in their power to live by the Word of God; and where for instance, men’s traditions clash or contradict the Word of God, true followers of Christ are commanded in Acts 5:29, to “we ought to obey God rather than men”
Throughout the world since the dawn of creation, there are numerous, human traditions or cultures that have been handed down throughout succeeding generations which blatantly clash with God’s Word.

 Even professing Christians across the world - with impunity - practice cultures that are a direct violation of God’s Word. Such cultures are too numerous to list but for the theme of this letter, I will touch on the culture of polygamy, which those in the know say it is practiced and is legal in 58 out of nearly 200 Sovereign States around the world. Really! God is certainly aggrieved!

Last week’s edition of this publication reported that “not too long ago, the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Commission urged Eswatini to abolish polygamy because it is one of the cultural practices which infringes on rights and freedoms of women....blah blah...”. As usual, this recommendation touched on a very raw nerve and rubbed the shoulders of especially traditionalists the wrong way. Well, good for them. In defence of the culture, a staunch traditionalist, when interviewed said, quote” polygamy was not only a culture but a fundamental right for emaSwati, which the UN and other nations should uphold with respect and dignity.

creation

As for me and my unwavering faith in the One and infallible God whose Word as stated above, is truth and always sets apart (sanctifies) true believers, whenever a topic of interest raises controversy, I always consult the immutable Word of God for answers. I am very much aware that a backlash is coming my way after this letter; but hey! As God, through Peter in Acts 5:29 quoted above, urges us that “we ought to obey God rather than men.” I stand by the brutal truth contained in the Word of God - period.

In the Book of Mark 10:6-8, Christ says, “From the beginning of creation ‘God made them male and female’. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife and the two shall become one flesh; so they are no longer two but one...” Marriage from the beginning of creation was between one Adam and one Eve - one man and one woman.

Wife Eve was created from one rib taken from Adam. In the eyes of God, marriages constitute of a union between two people - male and female - and these become one flesh. In 1st Corinthians 7:2, God, through Paul says: “nevertheless, let every man have his own wife and let every woman have her own husband”

In all the above quoted verses, no single verse talks about one husband having such and such number of wives. The problem is, as superficially professing, so-called Christians, we have the propensity to skip verses that indict us and only read those that tickle our ears - a very grave and fatal mistake!

inevitable

King Solomon of Israel, who had over 700 wives and 300 concubines, was in the latter stages of his life an unhappy and a very troubled man.
Did he remain faithful to God? His heart was turned away from God by his many wives to other gods and his heart was no longer perfect to God. Abraham’s household experienced strife when Haggai became disrespectful to Sarah, Abraham’s wife. God told Abraham to let Haggai go and her son Ishmael.

In a polygamous relationship, there is just no way can a man treat all his wives impartially and with the same love. It is inevitable that there will be a favourite, who will be the Hubby’s apple of the heart.

The others will glee and clap hands? Can a man serve two masters faithfully and impartially? Can you serve God and tradition like giving reverence to the abominable ‘emadloti’?

Take note of the numerous court cases involving wives in a polygamous marriage quarrelling over burial rights of dead hubby and the turmoil that arises when it is time to share dead Hubby’s assets.

Alex Nxumalo 76058449

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