As I consider the Old Testament every bit the revelation of the New Testament, I looked up the reference to Rachel and Leah. Nowhere does God order polygamy, in fact Jacob's marriage to two women came about through the deception of Rachel and Leah's father. So I think that the fellow's point is just off.
God's laws through both the Old and New Testaments are perfect and consistent. God has no desire for anybody to sin, and He has ordered it. Scripture is very clear that adultery (including polygamy), fornication and homosexuality are all sins.
[As I consider the Old Testament every bit the revelation of the New Testament, I looked up the reference to Rachel and Leah. Nowhere does God order polygamy, in fact Jacob's marriage to two women came about through the deception of Rachel and Leah's father. So I think that the fellow's point is just off.]
I don't think too far off. Jesus seems to have clearly said that a man must marry only ONE woman (someone please name the passage).
But the Old Testament, while not saying that Jacob was ordered to marry two women, did show that many high status males were blessed by God and also allowed to have, in some cases, hundreds of wives and even concubines.
David was criticized for taking the extra step and having a good man killed so he could take the man's wife although he already had 300+. And then David was *still* blessed.
The Old Testament was wild. You'd think there would be even more Hollywood movies about it.
I have no problem with Paulists and New Testamenters who say that Jesus and Paul overwrote the Old Testament social mores. It sounded like they needed to be changed. In the evangelical movement today in America, Paul seems to be the most important influence. Many on FR feel that Paul's writings should have been put only in the Apochrypha.