When we read about Jacob’s courtship and eventual marriage to Rachael, it came with much heartache also. After Jacob had already served Laban for seven years for Rachel, Laban secretly gave unto Jacob on his wedding night to Rachel, Leah instead. This happened late at night so he would not realize it. The story of that scandal pulled by Laban reads, “and Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her. And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her. And Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast. And it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter, and brought her to him; and he went in unto her. And Laban gave unto his daughter Leah Zilpah his maid for an handmaid.” (Genesis 29:20-24) I can just imagine this happening to me. For sure I wouldn’t tolerate this in our time, but in Jacob’s time, he was much more respectful to Laban’s wishes than I could ever be. Pretty much polygamy was forced upon Jacob, which is so wrong.
Now in that time, getting divorced didn’t happen very often, so Jacob was forced to stay married to Leah. However, this did not stop him from working another seven years for Rachel. That story continues and reads, “and it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it was Leah: and he said to Laban, What is this thou hast done unto me? did not I serve with thee for Rachel? wherefore then hast thou beguiled me? And Laban said, It must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn. Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years. And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week: and he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also.” (Genesis 29:25-28) My friends, this added relationship with Leah was not of God. Jacob did not want this to happen either. So to say that early on in a cult like Mormonism, polygamy was instituted by God is so wrong. Don’t listen to people like this. All you need to do is read the Bible for yourself and you will know that polygamy was never instituted by God but by men alone.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that You will help us know Your ways, that we may stop believing in every false way. Correct us in the things we are doing wrong, as well as the things we are wrongfully believing in. It really rubs me wrong when people justify earlier acts of polygamy in their cult based on stories from Jacob and other people in the Bible. What this tells me is that these people are not reading chapter by chapter in the Bible, but simply picking and choosing verses to suit their false beliefs. Since the beginning of time, there have been people groups that have strayed so far from You because of their own desires of the flesh. This is known based on history and even now in our society. Unfortunately, reasoning with people who are already so deep into their false beliefs, it is so hard to get through to them. Only You can help me and others speak the truth of God to people who are being led astray. You have done this with me while pulling me out of Mormonism and I am so grateful. Thank You for removing me from a path that leads to destruction and onto a path that leads to heaven. I love You, Jesus. I trust in You. Amen.
