In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. All things were created by God. Marriage was/is ordained by God, but why should we only have one wife or one husband? This is what we will talk about in this teaching.

Old Testament (Before Jesus)
Genesis 2:24: "That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh."

New Testament (After Jesus)
Matthew 19:5: "and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’?"

To understand God is to understand what He wants for His kingdom, not your kingdom, or my kingdom, or the world’s kingdom, but only His kingdom. Why would you focus on His kingdom? Well, look at what the disciples asked Jesus when they didn’t know what to pray or ask for. Jesus, who is the Son of God, said this:

Matthew 6:9-13

"This, then, is how you should pray: "'Our Father (God) in heaven (First Kingdom), hallowed be your name (King of kings; Lord of lords), your kingdom (Heaven) come, your will (Kingdom vision) be done, on earth (Final Kingdom) as it is in heaven (First Kingdom). Give us today our daily bread (wisdom, knowledge, understanding). And forgive us our debts (sins), as we also have forgiven (past tense) our debtors. And lead us not into temptation (world’s kingdom), but deliver us from the evil one (money).'"

When you understand that there are many kingdoms on earth, but we should be seeking the true and only kingdom, then you will understand everything else we are about to teach.

In the beginning, God worked on earth before He created man to have dominion on earth. First, God created plant life, then He created animal life, then finally He created human life. God created Adam in His image. God told Adam that he will have dominion over the earth. Adam did a good job looking after the earth, and God said, “It is Good.” God then noticed that Adam created tools from trees and bamboo, started cutting out tables, chairs, beds, and built nice houses, but he was alone. Then God said that it was not good for man to be alone and that He should send him a helper. A helper that could create wool off sheep and start making blankets, clothing, curtains, and focus on upholstery, but also to feed Adam while he was working and to keep him company. When Adam fell into a deep sleep, God created another Adam by removing one of Adam's rib bones. That was a sign to know that man would hold the seed to give life. The second Adam was created with a womb and that womb would be used to produce more life. Then God called the second Adam Eve, and Eve would become a woman and Adam a man. Adam will give life and Eve will produce life, and together they would become one flesh.

Once they became one flesh, God gave them a simple instruction:

Genesis 1:28: "God blessed them and said to them, 'Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.'"

God did not say to them to have dominion over humans, but only over plant and animal life.

Now that we understand that God made humans to have dominion over the earth and not over other humans, let’s see how monogamy fits in. God knows how many men and women are created on earth. There are enough males and females on earth to subdue the earth. When a son becomes older, his father prepares him for a wife. He and his wife will build a kingdom to grow God's heaven on earth.

Job's Faithfulness and Monogamy

In the Book of Job, we see a clear example of a faithful man who had only one wife. Despite his immense suffering and the severe trials he faced, Job remained steadfast in his faith. God Himself highlighted Job’s righteousness and faithfulness to Satan:

Job 1:8: "Then the Lord said to Satan, 'Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.'"

Job’s unwavering commitment to God extended to his marital life. He remained devoted to his one wife throughout his trials, showcasing a model of monogamous faithfulness.

Monogamous Figures in the Bible

1.      Adam and Eve: The first marital relationship established by God was between Adam and Eve. This set a precedent for the one-man-one-woman union. Genesis 2:24: "That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh."

2.      Noah: Noah, who was chosen by God to preserve humanity through the flood, was also monogamous. He had one wife, and their faithful partnership helped in fulfilling God's command to repopulate the earth. Genesis 7:7: "And Noah and his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives entered the ark to escape the waters of the flood."

3.      Isaac and Rebekah: Isaac, one of the patriarchs, had only one wife, Rebekah. Their relationship is often highlighted for its love and faithfulness. Genesis 24:67: "Isaac brought her into the tent of his mother Sarah, and he married Rebekah. So she became his wife, and he loved her; and Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death."

4.      Joseph and Mary: In the New Testament, Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, had only one wife, Mary. Their partnership played a crucial role in the life of Jesus. Matthew 1:24-25: "When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus."

God’s Design for Marriage

God's design for marriage is consistently presented as monogamous, emphasizing the unity and sanctity of the marital relationship. This is reiterated by Jesus in the New Testament when He speaks about marriage and divorce:

Matthew 19:4-6: "Haven’t you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate."

Apostolic Teachings on Monogamy

The apostle Paul also reinforces the importance of monogamy, particularly in the context of church leadership:

1 Timothy 3:2: "Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach."

This instruction highlights the ideal of monogamy as a model for all Christians, not just leaders.

What Children Receive from a Monogamous Marriage

A monogamous marriage provides children with the invaluable gift of a present father and mother. Just as God is always present, guiding and protecting His children, so too are parents meant to be present for their children. The Bible gives us the example of Joseph, who spent time with Jesus, teaching Him carpentry skills. Likewise, mothers in biblical stories often taught essential life skills, from cooking to managing a household.

·        A Father's Role: A father serves as a child's protector, offering guidance, discipline, and love. The presence of a father instills confidence and security in a child, helping them navigate the challenges of life.

·        A Mother's Role: A mother provides comfort, nurturing, and emotional support. She is often the heart of the home, creating a loving and stable environment for her children to thrive in.

A child who grows up with many mothers or many fathers is not in alignment with God’s plan. Such teachings come from the devil and other kingdoms, not from God. If a child grows up believing they have many fathers or many mothers, it can lead to confusion and an open mind to the idea of many gods. This disrupts the sanctuary of a child’s understanding of God’s kingdom.

God's kingdom is built on the foundation of faithfulness, unity, and love. By embracing monogamy, we honor His design and create a stable environment for future generations. Monogamy reflects the unity and oneness of God's nature, teaching children about the importance of commitment and loyalty. It provides a clear example of how God’s love works—faithful, steadfast, and unwavering.

What we need to understand from this teaching

In summary, the Bible provides numerous examples and teachings that emphasize monogamy as God’s design for marriage. From Job's faithfulness to the examples of other biblical figures like Adam, Noah, Isaac, and Joseph, we see a consistent pattern of one-man-one-woman unions that align with God's plan for His kingdom. Monogamous marriages offer children the stability, security, and love that reflect God's unwavering presence and guidance. By adhering to God's design, we build strong families that honor His kingdom and ensure that His teachings are passed down through generations.

Monogamy is not just a marital choice; it is a divine mandate that mirrors God's relationship with His people.